Australia Post will issue a new pre-stamped envelope on 24 February 1982. The pre-stamped envelope commemorates the centenary of the Ashes, the mythical symbol of supremecy in cricket between England and Australia.
The first recognised test match between England and Australia was played in Melbourne in 1877 when the Australian “combined team”, selected from the Colonies of New South Wales and Victoria, defeated the “All England” eleven by forty-five runs. However, in the ensuring years, the English on their home grounds proved to be far more formidable foes.
Then, in 1882, a three-day Test Match was scheduled to commence at the Oval on Monday 28 August. The English team was favoured to win, but the English batsmen were unprepared for the onslaught from Australian fast bowler, F. R. Spofforth. During the two English innings, Spofforth took fourteem wickets for ninety runs. He took four of those wickets in his last eleven overs while conceding only two runs. The match ended on the second day with the Australian victorious by seven runs. It was the first time that the full cricketing strength of England had been defeated on English soil.
In the wake of this shock defeat, a mock obituary notice appeared in the Sporting Times, lamenting the death of English cricket.
“In affectionate rememberence of English cricket, which died at the oval on 29th August 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances.
R.I.P.
N.B. The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.”
A few months later an English team, captained by the Hon. Ivo Bligh (later Lord Darnley), arrived in Australia determined to recover the mythical “Ashes”. During that tour, a group of Melbourne ladies decided that the mythical “Ashes” should have some substance and they burnt what has variously been described as bails or stumps, sealed the ashes in an urn, and presented it to Ivo Bligh.
Details
- Date of Issue: 24 February 1982
- Withdrawn Date: 30 September 1982
- Invalidated:
- Designer: Australia Post Graphic Design Section
- Printer: Mercury-Walch, Division of Davies Brothers Limited, Hobart, Tasmania
- Press: Six colour Roland Ultra
- Process: Offset Multi-colour photolithography with luminescense impregnated varnish
- Colours:
- Paper: 105 gsm Glacier White
- Quantity: 1,364,700
Pre-Stamped Envelope No.048
The envelope shows a cricketer of a century ago. In the stamp area the wording of the Sporting Times obituary is reproduced together with the urn. The envelope was designed by Australia Post’s Graphic Design Section and is numbered 048. It will be available from all Australia Post philatelic sales centres until 30 September 1982, provided stocks last.
First day of issue postmarked envelopes will be available at these centres until 9 March 1982, provided stocks last.
PHILATELIC SALES CENTRES
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australian Stamp Bulletin No.158 – January-February 1982
