Two new definitive stams of 18c and 45c denominations, depicting rare Australian wildflowers, were introduced on 27th August, 1975, in connection with the new postage rates introduced on 1st September, 1975.
The 18c value depicts Helichrysum thomsonii and the 45c depicts Callistemon teretifolius. Both stamps were designed by Mr. Frank Knight of Canberra who also designed the first day cover associated with the issue.
The stamps were printed by multicolour photogravure by the Note Issue Department of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne, on the Rambrandt machine. The 18c value measures 20.24 mm x 24.125 mm and the 45c value measures 24.125 mm x 20.24 mm. Sheet content (as issued) is 100.
Five cylinders were used for printing each of the two stamps. Colours, in printing order, are: 18c – orange-brown, olive yellow, dull green, grey and black; 45c – greenish grey tint, dull vermillion, sepia, dull yellow-green, black.
Details
- Date of Issue: 27 August 1975
- Withdrawn Date:
- Invalidated:
- Designer: Frank Knight, Canberra
- Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
- Press: Rambrandt
- Process: Multicolour photogravure
- Cylinders: Printing order
- Orange-Brown – Olive Yellow – Dull Green – Grey – Black (18c)
- Greenish Grey Tint – Dull Vermillion – Sepia – Dull Yellow-Green – Black (45c)
- Paper:
- Shoalhaven KP6T unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon (18c)
- KP5D unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon (18c)*
- Shoalhaven KP6T unwatermarked coated stamp paper incorporating helecon (45c)
- Watermark: None
- Perf: Comb
- 14.75 x14 (18c)
- 13.75 x 13.25 (45c)
- Sheet:
- Quantity:
- 1,629,700,000 (18c)
- 59,097,500 (45c)
Most of the 18c printing was on Shoalhaven KP6T unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon. However, it was discovered after distribution had commenced, that some reams of KP6T, so labelled, had included some sheets of KP5D and therefore there are some sheets of H. thomsonii on the latter paper. It is not possible to determine how many sheets are on KP5D nor has it been practicable to segregate the printing on KP5D as a seperate philatelic stock item.
The 45c value was printed only on Shoalhaven KP6T unwatermarked coated stamp paper incorporating helecon.
Subjects
- 18c Helichrysum thomsonii
- 45c Callistemon teretifoloius
First Day Cover No.78 (Official)
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES
Philatelic Bulletin
Australia Post Philatelic Bulletin No.126 – December 1975
