Australia Post will issue a set of three commemorative stamps for Christmas 1980. The first of the set to be issued, the 28c stamps, will be released on 1 October and the remaining two stamps, with 15c and 60c denominations, will be issued on 3 November 1980.
The 28c stamp features a painting by Prospero Fontana, entitled The Holy Family. Fontana was born in 1512 in Bologna, Italy, and although he spent most of his life there, he travelled and worked extensively in Genoa, Florence and Rome. He died in 1597.
The painting was completed in the 16th Century and shows the Holy Family with St Jerome, the Infant St John and a Female Martyr. The Holy Family by Prospero Fontana hangs in the National Gallery of Victoria. It is reproduced on the stamp by the kind permission of the Gallery.
This 28c stamp may be used for posting Christmas cards up to 50g to all countries by surface mail. The stamp is being issued on 1 October to enable users to meet Christmas mail closing times for surface delivery to various places overseas.
The 28c Christmas stamp will be available from 1 October until 31 December 1980 at all post offices, provided stocks last. It will remain on sale at philatelic sales centres until 30 June 1981, provided stocks last.
Details
- Date of Issue: 1 October 1980
- Withdrawn Date:
- 14 October 1980 (FDC)
- 30 June 1981 (stamp)
- Designer: Bruce Weatherhead, Melbourne
- Printer: Asher and Co., Division of Leigh Mardon Pty Ltd, Melbourne
- Press: Four colour Roland-Rekord Press
- Process: Photolithography
- Colours:
- Paper: Litho chromo paper incorporating luminescence
- Watermark: None
- Perf:
- Sheet: 100
- Quantity:
Souvenir Pack
A souvenir pack containing this stamp, as well as the 15c and 60c Christmas issues, will be released on 3 November 1980.
First Day Covers No.146 (Official)
One first day cover, measuring 165 mm x 92 mm and numbered 146, will be provided for this issue. It will be available unserviced for $A0.13 each from 12 September 1980. The cover with the stamp affixed and postmarked 1 October 1980 will cost $A0.41.
First day cover No 146 will be available until 14 October 1980 at all first day of issue post offices, including philatelic sales centres, provided stocks last.
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australian Stamp Bulletin No.150 – September 1980
