The new Melbourne Philatelic Sales Centre at 175 Elizabeth Street (opposite the G.P.O.) was officially opened on 10th June, 1974, by Mr. I.M. Gunn, Director, Posts and Telegraphs, Victoria. Like its Sydney counterpart, the Melbourne Centre is designed to cater exclusively for philatelic clients, and does not handle ordinary postal business.
The decor – predominantly bright orange – and displays were designed by Post Office artists, and the counter units were desgined and built by Postal Workshops. Overall construction was under the supervision of the Department of Housing and Construction, and the Post Office’s Building Branch. The concept will not be complete until the Centre is able to expand into adjoining premises, when a reading area and exhibition area will be added.
Declaring the Centre officially open, Mr. Gunn mentioned some of the problems in getting it established, including waiting for a convienient central site, and paid tribute to all those who had contributed to its construction.
As from the date of opening, Russell Street Post Office ceased to be a Philatelic Sales Centre, although it will continue to have first day of issue postmarking facilities.
Souvenir Cover
The new Centre is provided with a pictorial postmarker, and a souvenir cover showing the amorial bearings of the City of Melbourne. On the first day of use of the postmarker, a number of covers were cancelled, for sale while stocks last. Postmarked covers were prepared in two forms: one bearing the 40c Como House Melbourne postage stamp, and the other bearing the 7c Queen Elizabeth II stamp. After stocks of of these are exhausted, collectors will be able to obtain the souvenir cover with any valid stamps of their choice, and cancelled with the date of purchase.
1974
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