Australia Philately: 1984 The First Australians

Details

Date of Issue: 7 November 1984
Withdrawn Date:
- 20 November 1984 (first day cover)
- 31 May 1985 (stamps & stamp pack)
Invalidated:
Designer: Elizabeth Innes, Australia Post Graphic Design Studio
Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Limited, Melbourne
Press:
Process: Photo-lithography
Colours:
Paper: APWH stamp paper
Watermark: None
Perf: 14.25 (comb)
Sheet: Issued in sheets of 50 stamps consisting of two panes of 25 stamps (R5 x 5) separated by horizontal gutter.
Quantity:

Subjects

30c Australian Bicentennial Symbol
30c Stick Figures
30c Bunjil’s Cave
30c Quinkan Gallery
30c Wandjina Spirit and Snake Babies
30c Rock Python
30c Silver Barramundi
85c Rock Possum

First Day Cover

Three first day covers are being provided for the first issue in the Australian Bicentennial Collection. One cover (size 165 mm x 92 mm, price $A0.45) is for the 30c “symbol” stamp which introduces the Australian Bicentennial Collection. A second cover will take four of the 30c Aboriginal rock painting stamps (price $A1.35), and the third cover is for the remaining two 30c stamps and the 85c (Rock Possum) stamp (price $A1.60).

The two first day covers (size 220 mm x 110 mm) supporting the Aboriginal rock painting stamps feature, in their illustration area, portraits by freelance Aboriginal artist, Harold Thomas. Mr Thomas, who holds a tertiary diploma from the South Australian School of Arts, Adelaide, has chosen to draw Aboriginal people as his main subjects in art – feeling that only another Aborigine can express the trouble and suffering, as well as the happier moments of the Aboriginal way of life. Harold Thomas lives and works in Darwin.

FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES

Special Commemorative Postmark

A special first day of issue (non-pictorial) postmark will be in use on 7 November at Canberra GPO to mark the first Australian Bicentennial Collection stamp issue.

Stamp Pack

A souvenir stamp pack, (folded size 160 mm x 165 mm) will also be released on 7 November, displaying all eight stamps of the first Australian Bicentennial Collection issue.

Stamp Heritage Book

A new souvenir from the Australia Post will be make its appearance with the release of the Australian Bicentennial Collection. The stamp heritage book is a publication describing the subjects featrured in the Australian Bicentennial Collection: The First Australians. Over the next four years the stamp heritage book series will build up to become an impressive library of permanent mementos of Australia’s Bicentennary, not only for stamp collectors, but for all Australians and people everywhere with an interest in Australia and its development.

Australia Post’s first stamp heritage book, entitled the First Australians, will be available for $A6.95 from all major post offices from 7 November 1984. The book includes the complete set of eight “First Australians” stamps, the stamps being displayed in a special wallet, and features large reproductions of the illustrations shown on the stamps.

In keeping with the distinct square format of the Bicentennial stamps, the stamp heritage books are also in a square (250 mm x 250 mm) format. The heritage books will remain on sale at all major post offices until further notice, and will be available by mail order along with the other items in the issue.