On 29 July 1981 His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales, and the Lady Diana Spencer will be married in London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie, will officiate at the wedding, which Australia Post will commemorate with the issue of two stamps.
The stamps will be issued on the Wedding Day, with one carrying the new domestic rate, 24c, and the other the UK/Europe airmail rate, 60c. The domestic base rate stamp will have a white background, whilst the 60c stamp will have a burgundy background.
Australia Post’s Royal Wedding stamps will feature a portrait of the Royal couple painted by Melbourne artist Brian Clinton. Mr Clinton is a note portrait and commercial artist, whose portrait work includes commissions from the Victorian State Parliament. His previous Australia Post stamp commissions include “Australian Horse Racing”, “Fishing in Australia” and “Australia Day 1979”.
The stamps and souvenir pack will be available at post offices from 29 July 1981 for approximately two weeks, provided stocks last. They will remain on sale at philatelic sales centres until 26 February 1982, provided stocks last.
Details
- Date of Issue: 29 July 1981
- Withdrawn Date:
- 11 August 1981 (FDC)
- 26 February 1982 (stamps & souvenir pack)
- Designer: Brian Clinton, Melbourne
- Printer: Leigh Mardon Pty Ltd, Melbourne
- Press:
- Process: Photolithography
- Colours:
- Paper: Litho chromo stamp paper incorporating luminescence
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 13.25 x 13 (comb)
- Sheet: Printed in sheets of two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) and separated by a horizontal gutter.
- Quantity:
Souvenir Pack
The two stamps (24c & 60c) will be available in a souvenir pack from 29 July 1981 for $A1.03. Technical and background information regarding the stamps is printed on the inside cover of the pack.
First Day Cover No.158 (Official)
One first day cover, number 159, will be provided from the issue. Unserviced covers measuring 165 mm x 92 mm, will be available from $A0.13 each from 14 June 1981. Serviced covers, with the stamp affixed and postmarked 17 June 1981, will be available for $A2.13 each from all first day of issue post offices until 30 June 1981, provided stocks last.
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australian Stamp Bulletin No.155 – July-August 1981
