A 20c stamp, featuring an artist’s impression of the flag-raising ceremony at Sydney Cove, will be issued on 29 January 1979 to commemorate Australia Day.
Australia Day commemorates the landing of the First Fleet and the commencement of the permanent settlement in the colony of New South Wales.
Governor Phillp was sent by King George III with instructions to establish a colony at Botany Bay, but an inspection of the area proved it was unsuitable for permanent settlement. Phillip then sailed north to explore Port Jackson, a harbour which Captain Cook had chartered but not entered. Here he found a sheltered cove – one of the finest in the world. He named this Sydney Cove in honour of Lord Sydney, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and decided that this would be the site of permanent settlement. Returning to Botany Bay on 24 January 1788 Governor Phillip gave instructions that the First Fleet would sail to Sydney Cove. The entire fleet was reassembled in Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788 and in the evening of that day the British Flag was raised and the King’s heath was drunk. Twelve days later, on 7 February 1788, the Official Proclamation was read and Governor Phillip was proclaimed Governor-in-Chief of New South Wales.
The stamp will be available at all post offices for approximately two weeks from the issue date. It will remain on sale at philatelic sales centres until 25 January 1980, provided stocks last.
Details
- Date of Issue: 26 January 1979
- Withdrawn Date: 25 January 1980
- Invalidated:
- Designer: Brian Clinton, Melbourne
- Printer: Asher and Co., Melbourne
- Press: Roland Rekord (4 Colour)
- Process: Photo-Lithography
- Cylinders:
- Black (1st plate 49%, 2nd plate 51%) – Cyan (1st plate 73%, 2nd plate 27% – Magenta – Yellow
- Paper: Litho chromo stamp paper incorporating helecon
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 15.5 x 15.5 (comb)
- Sheet: Printed in six panes of 50 stamps (R5 x 10) and guillotined into in two panes separated by vertical gutter.
- Quantity: 24,718,000
Souvenir Pack
No souvenir pack has been provided for the issue.
First Day Cover No.122 & No.123 (Official)
Two first day covers (165 mmm x 92 mm), numbered 122 and 123, will be available for the issue. Unserviced covers will be on sale from 19 January 1979 for $A0.12 each.
The cover no. 122 features a pioneer family. It will be available with the stamp affixed and postmarked 26 January 1979 for $A0.32. A soldier of the New South Wales Corps is featured on the cover no. 123. It will cost $A0.32 with the stamp affixed and postmarked 26 January 1979.
Both covers will be available at all first day of issue post offices until 8 February 1979, provided stocks last.
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICE
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australia Post Stamp Bulletin No.138 – January 1979
