Australia Philately: 1978 Australian Trees

Four stamps depicting Australian trees were issued by Australia Post on 1 June 1978. Denominations and subjects of the stamps are: 18c “Illawarra” Flame Tree, 25c Ghost Gum, 40c Grass Tree and 45c Cootamundra Wattle. The new series of stamps is a special issue and will remain on sale at post offices for six weeks and at philatelic sales centres for up to twelve months from the issue date, provided stocks last.

Details

Date of Issue: 1 June 1978
Withdrawn Date:
Invalidated:
Designer: David Rose, Ourimbah, NSW
Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Press:
- Rembrandt (18c)
- Chambon (25c, 40c 45c)
Process: Multicolour photogravure
Cylinders: Printing order
- Light Stone – New Blue – Red – Brownish Black – Black (18c)
- Blue – Pale Orange – Buff – Grey – Black (25c)
- Pale Stone – Brown – Black (screened) – Black (40c)
- Yellow – Blue – Sepia – Black (45c)
Paper: KP6T unwatermarked coated paper incorporating helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: Comb
- 14 x 14.75 (18c)
- 13.75 x 13.25 (25c, 40c, 45c)
Sheet:
Quantity:
- 30,397,500 (20c)
- 3,420,000 (25c)
- 3,429,000 (40c)
- 4,650,000 (45c)

Subjects

18c Illawarra Flame
25c Ghost Gum
40c Grass Tree
45c Cootamundra Wattle

Souvenir Stamp Pack

The stamps are available in a souvenir pack at official post offices, for $1.38 each.

Commencing with the Australian Trees issue, souvenir stamp packs will be available in a new improved format.

In the new format, the souvenir stamp pack will be a folded rigid card of size 165 mm x 105 mm. When opened flat the size will be 165 mm x 210 mm. The opened pack will show the stamps mounted under a sealed clear cellophane window and it will be possible to read the technical and background information at the same time.

This format will facilitate the retention of the stamp pack in mint condition as there is no envelope to be opened for either viewing the stamps or reading the background information.