The centenary of the first Australia-England test cricket match is being commemorated by a series of five 18c stamps, printed in se-tenant format, and a 45c stamp. The stamps are being issued on 9th March, 1977, for approximately two week’s sale at post offices and are continuing on sale at Australia Post philatelic sales centres for a further twelve months from the issue date, providing stocks last. Each of the five 18c stamps is in vertical format and each separate stamp portrays a different segment of the total picture of a period cricket match in action, so that the complete strip of five stamps may be viewed horizontally as an overall unit, or as separate designs when divded into a single stamp. The 45c designs shows a view of a batsman, a wicket keeper and two fieldsmen from the bowler’s end of the pitch with the Original Member’s Pavillion in the background; the pavillion is also depicted in the se-tenant strip of five stamps.
The first test match between England and Australia took place on the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 15th, 16th, 17th and 19th March, 1877; the Australian team won by 45 runs. A return match was played several days later, again on the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and this time the English won by four wickets. An Australian team visited England in the following year and so started the Australia-England Test Cricket Matches. Of the 225 matches played between Australia and England up to early 1976, a total of 120 took place in Australia and 105 in England. Australia has won 87 of the matches, England has won 71, 66 were drawn and one abandoned.
Details
- Date of Issue: 19 March 1977
- Withdrawn Date:
- Invalidated:
- Designer: Bruce Weatherhead, Melbourne
- Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
- Press: Chambon
- Process: Multicolour photogravure
- Cylinders: Printing order
- Rose Red – Grey Brown Tint – Bright Green Tint – Cobalt – Blackish Brown (18c)
- Grey Brown Tint – Rose Red – Bright Green Tint – Cobalt – Blackish Brown (45c)
- Paper: Shoalhaven KP6T paper unwatermarked coated stamp paper incorporating Helecon
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 13.75 x 13.25 (comb)
- Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) separated by vertical gutter.
- Quantity:
- 5,150,000 (45c)
Subjects
Souvenir Pack
The stamps are also available in a souvenir pack, at official post offices, for $1.45.
First Day Cover No.99 (Official)
An official first day cover for the issue was designed by stamp artist, Mr Bruce Weatherhead.
BROOKVALE/NSW 2100
DANDENONG/VIC 3175
GEELONG/VIC 3220
NEWPORT/VIC 3015
Stamp Poster
In addition to the stamps and first day covers, Australia Post has produced a full colour poster (60″ x 20″) which is an exact replica of the five 18c se-tenant stamps. The poster, together with a leaflet explaining the occasion of the issue of the stamps, and packed in a mailing tube for protection, is available from all major post offices for $2.00.
Philatelic Bulletin
Australia Post Philatelic Bulletin No.131 – March 1977
