A dramatic episode in early Colonial history is the subject of a new Australia Post pre-stamped envelope. The envelope, to be issued on 26 January 1983, commemorates the 175th Anniversary of the Rum Rebellion.
If the first few days of settlement luxuries were in short supply, especially alcohol. Civil and military officers acquired large quantities of spirits which they used as currency to pay convict labourers. The rum trade began at about the time of Governor Phillip’s departure from New South Wales and continued until the latter part of Lachlan Macqaurie’s governorship, defying the efforts of colonial administrators to restrain it.
William Bligh, former commander of the Bounty, was made Governor of New South Wales in 1805. He had special instructions to curb the trade in spirits, which brought him into conflict with prominent members of the community, many of whom were involved in the trade. In particular, Bligh clashed with John Macarthur, a fiery ex-officer of the New South Wales Corps turned pastoralist. This same John Macarthur is credited with establishing Australia’s wool industry. A dispute over the ownership of the Schooner Parramatta led to Macarthur’s arrest on 26 January 1808, the twentieth anniversary of the colony. At Macarthur’s instigation Major George Johnson, Commanding Officer of the New South Wales Corps, declared himself Lieutenant-Governor, freed Macarthur and in turn arrested Governor Bligh. Martial law was proclaimed in the colony.
Bligh remained in Sydney under house arrest until March 1809. In 1811 Major Johnston was court martialled for his part in what has become known as the Rum Rebellion.
The portrait of Governor William Bligh appearing in the envelope’s stamp area is from an engraving by J. Condé, held in the Nan Kivell collection of the National Library of Australia. On the left of the envelope’s face is detail from a painting Major Johnston announcing the arrest of Governor Bligh by Raymond Lindsay. The painting was presented to the Geelong Art Gallery in 1928 by Dame Nellie Melba and it now hands in the Geelong Town Hall.
The envelope, measuring 190 x 103 mm and numbered 060, carries a 27c denomination. It will sell for $A0.34 at all Australia Post philatelic sales centres until 31 August 1983, provided stocks last.
First day of issue postmarked envelopes will be available at all first day of issue post offices, including philatelic sales centres, until 8 February 1983, provided stocks last.
Details
- Date of Issue: 26 January 1983
- Withdrawn Date:
- 8 February 1983 (postmarked envelope)
- 31 August 1983 (mint enveloped)
- Designer: Australia Post Graphic Design Section
- Printer: Mercury-Walch, Division of Davies Brothers Limited, Hobart, Tasmania
- Process: Multi-colour photolithography with luminescence impregnated varnish on a six-colour Roland Ultra press
- Paper: 105gsm Glacier White Offset
- Size: 190mm x 103mm
- Set: 1 of 1
- Quantity:
First Day of Issue Postmarks
G.P.O. Sydney – N.S.W. AUST. 2000
References
- National Portrait Gallery St Martin’s Place London WC2H OHE
