A set of five “Australian Birds” series definitive stamps were issued in connection with the new postal charges introduced on 1 July 1978. The birds featured on the are all ground-nesting birds.
Two of the five denominations, the 20c Little Glebe and the 55c Lotus Bird, were issued on 3 July 1978 and the remaining three denominations, thr 5c Hooded Dotterel, the 25c Spur-wing Plover and the 30c Pied Oystercatcher were issued on 17 July 1978.
Details
- Date of Issue: 3 July 1978
- Withdrawn Date: Philatelic Sales Centres
- 17 September 1980 (20c)
- Invalidated:
- Designer: Kay Breeden Williams
- Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
- Process: Photogravure
- Cylinders: (see individual stamps)
- Paper:
- Burnie KP6T cream paper – chalk coated with Helecon (20c)
- KP6T paper – chalk coated with Helecon (55c)
- Watermark: None
- Perf: Comb
- 14.75 x 14 (20c)
- 13.25 x 13.5 (55c)
- Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) divided by vertical gutter.
- Quantity:
- 507,385,000 (20c)
- 37,715,000 (55c)
Subjects
- 20c Little Grebe
- 55c Lotus-bird
First Day Cover No.116 (Official)
Two official first dayt covers, nos. 115 and 116, also designed by Kay Breeden-Williams, were available for the issue. Cover 115 features Spur-wing Plover chicks and was issued for the 5c, 25c and 30c stamps. Cover 116 featured a Louts Bird and was for the 20c and 55c stamps.
MELBOURNE 3000
REVESBY/NSW 2212
SOUTH YARRA/VIC 3141
SWAN HILL/PIONEER/SETTLEMENT/VIC 3585
