Australia Philately: 1978 Australia Day

An 18c stamp commemorating Australia Day was issued on 26 January 1978. The stamp was on sale for approximately two weeks at post offices and is available from Australia Post philatelic sales centres until 26 January 1979, providing stocks last. The stamp, in horizontal format, depcits the Australian National Flag.

Four colours were used to print the stamp. The complete issue was printed on KP6T paper incorporating helecon, but part was printed on paper with Ballarat Clear Gum and part on paper with Burnie Tropical Gum (blue tint). With the change of stock it was decided, for better reproduction, to change the sequence of printing colours. Colours in printing order for the 57% printed on Ballarat Clear Gum were: light blue, dark blue, red and black. Colours in printing order for the 43% printed on Burnie Tropical Gum were: light blue, black, red and dark blue. Perforations are 13¼ x 13¾.

The two blue and the red cylinders were proceduced by what is commonly termed “hard dot”. This technique differs slightly from the conventional method of exposing the tissue to an overall 250 L.P.I. screen. With “hard dot” the screening is carried out when the original art separations are being photographed. This results in film positives screened with a graduated dot similar to a normal litho screen effect. The cylinders are then etched as line without any variations in the depths of the cells. The graduation of tone comes from the varying sizes of the dot. This difference can be detected under magnification.

Details

Date of Issue: 26 January 1978
Withdrawn Date: 26 January 1979
Invalidated:
Designer: Cato Hibberd Design Pty. Ltd., Melbourne
Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia
Press: Chambon
Process: Multicolour Photogravure
Cylinders: Printing order
- Light Blue – Dark Blue – Red – Black (Ballarat Clear Gum)
- Light Blue – Black Red – Dark Blue (Burnie Tropical Gum)
Paper:
- KP6T unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon with Ballarat Clear Gum (57% of printing)
- KP6T unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon Burnie Tropical Gum (43% of printing)
Watermark: None
Perf: 13.25 x 13.75 (comb)
Sheet: Two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) separated by vertical gutter.
Quantity: 21,738,000