A set of three stamps featuring reproductions of religious paintings was issued for Christmas 1978. The stamps have 15c, 25c and 55c denominations.
The 25c features “The Madonna and the Child” (after van Eyck), the 25c features “The Virgin and Child” (Marmion) and the 55c stamp features “The Holy Family” (del Vaga). All three paintings are housed in the National Gallery of Victoria and were acquired by the Felton Bequest.
The 25c stamp was issued on 3 October 1978 and the 15c and 55c stamps on 1 November 1978.
All three stamps were on sale at post offices until the end of December 1978 and will remain on sale at philatelic sales centres for a period of twelve months from their issue dates, provided stocks last.
Details
- Date of Issue: 3 October 1978
- Withdrawn Date: 3 October 1979
- Invalidated:
- Designer:
- Printer: Asher & Co., Melbourne
- Press: Roland Rekord (4 colour)
- Process: Photolithography
- Cylinders: Black (1st plate 64%, 2nd plate 36%) – Cyan (one plate) – Magenta (one plate) – Yellow (one plate) [printing order]
- Paper: Litho chromo paper incorporating helecon
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 14.75 (comb)
- Sheet: Printed in sheets of 200 consisting of four panes of fity stamps and issued in single sheets of fifty stamps.
- Quantity: 5,615,000
Souvenir Pack
A souvenir pack containing all three stamps (costing $A1.10) also was issued on 1 November 1978.
First Day Cover No.119 (Official)
Two first day covers were provided for the issue. Cover no. 119 had the 25c stamp affixed and no. 121 had the 15c and 55c stamps affixed.
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australia Stamp Bulletin No.138 – January 1979
