by catpaw | 11 Apr, 2024 | country Stamps, Stamps
Australia starts their 2024 stamps with a touch of nostalgia, pops over to a few parrots and then plunges right back into nostalgia. And I’ll make a bold prediction now about the set that will likely be the star of the season. Just take a look at Anita Xhafer’s delicious The Shared Table set.
Xhafer’s use of photorealism has produced a drool worthy set. I know, early days and all of that, but I can’t imagine a better design. All too often the photorealistic style bounces into a clinical study of the subject and ends up lacking a sense of the artists view or emotions. Xhafer avoids this trap and created a joyous celebration of diversity, The set feels like a love letter to the many cultures that have created Australia. In a 2014 interview she explained her passion:
I’ve always been attracted to realism, I love some of the old masters like Caravaggio etc. I love solidity I think. I do get carried away with details sometimes because I can’t help myself – perfection is totally illusive, but I try. Besides, it’s the little details that convey reality best, the way light falls on things can describe objects beautiful.
anita_xhafer.pdf (illustratorsaustralia.com)
Anita burst onto the stamp design world in 2017 with her first set Fruits of the Garden, for Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Since that time, she has gone on to design sets for Australia and Christmas Island. This just may be her best stamps to date.
But first, lots of nostalgia to get us through the months. So far, the 2024 year is a lot of fun. Drop a message and let me know which set is the standout for you.
January
Nostalgic Tinned Fruit Labels
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, 3 booklets of 10
offset
- $1.20 Letona cling peaches, canned in Leeton, NSW – from the collections of Shellharbour City Museum
- $1.20 Amber Glow pineapple, canned in Cairns, Qld – from the National Archives of Australia collections.
- $1.20 KY Bartlett pears, canned in Kyabram, Vic – this stamp was designed by Tom Campbell, using an image courtesy of Joy Myers
Designer: Sharon Rodziewicz
Release date: January 22, 2024
February
Australian Ground Parrots
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, 3 booklets of 10
Designer: Sonia Young
Illustrator: Kevin Stead
Stead’s artwork appeared in Art of Australian Geographic Illustration. His illustrations have appeared on stamps from AAT, Cocos (Keeling) Island, Norfolk Island and Christmas Island. His first stamp was the 2003 Cocos (Keeling) Island Birds of the Shoreline set.
Release date: February 13, 2024
Retro Audio
3 stamps, 1 FDC, 1 medallion cover, 3 booklets of 10, stamp pack, 3 maxi cards
offset
- HMV Caprice, 1961
- Kriesler Master Multi Sonic, 1966
- AWA B28 Portable, 1963
Designer: Melissa Webb
Release date: February 20, 2024
Gert Sellheim Travel Posters
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, stamp pack, booklet of 20, 2 maxi cards
- Australia – Surf Club
- The Seaside Calls – Go by Train
- Sunshine and Surf – Australia
Gert Sellheim was a German-Australian graphic designer, well known for his iconic logos and designs. He was the designer behind Quantas’ flying kangaroo logo. His name was first attached to an Australian stamp in 1948 with his Aboriginal Art stamp.
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky, using Gert Sellheim’s work
Release date: February 27, 2024
March
The Shared Table
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, stamp pack, 4 maxi cards, 4 booklets of 10
offset
- Mediterranean influence
- Asian influence
- Middle Eastern
- Indian influence
Designer: Sonia Young
Illustrator: Anita Xhafer
Release date: March 12, 2024
Marine Emblems
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, 3 medallion covers, stamp pack, 3 maxi cards, booklets of 10
offset
This series celebrates the official emblems of some of Australia’s States and territories.
- $1.50 South Australia – Leafy Seadragon Phycodurus eques
- $3.00 New South Wales – Eastern Blue Groper Achoerodus viridis
- $4.50 Queensland – Barrier Reef Anemonefish Amphiprion akindynos
Illustrator: Roger Swainston
Swainston wears three hats: painter, naturalist and zoologist. He specialises in underwater art. This means more than you think. He has found a way to actually draw while he is underwater:
I pull the weighted drawing board from the transom step and it takes me quickly to the bottom. Encumbered by that and my underwater camera I have to fin hard across to my daily vantage point, on the sand I find my balance, adjust my gear a little here and there, fish around for a graphite crayon in the BC pocket, look up at the reef flooded by morning light, down to the drawing board, up and back, find my starting point and begin. Almost immediately I’m absorbed by the process. It’s a meditation, just the noise of my breathing, the steady din of bubbles rising past my ears, clicks and groans from the reef. Artwork – Roger Swainston
He began drawing underwater with a special drawing board in 1995 France. He wrote about how he created his board New Underwater Drawing Board – Roger Swainston. It’s a fascinating read.
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky
Release date: March 26, 2024
April
ANZAC Day 2024
coming soon
Release date: April 16, 2024
by catpaw | 11 Mar, 2023 | country Stamps, Stamps
Australia’s 2023 stamps start with a big celebratory splash. The popular Special Occasions series ushered in the year with a colourful 10 stamp set celebrating events ranging from engagements, birthdays to a general Let’s Celebrate design. A pretty good start, but right after that, Australia Post seemed to slip into high gear with their designs. Normally I look back on the previous year for highlights, but I’m breaking with that because 2 sets have already set a high artistic mark for 2023. These two issues are going to be tough to follow up.
Australia Post’s designers always offer a rich field to pick over. If you are interested in a deep dive into both Australian history and it’s rich landscape, well … stamps are the perfect vehicle. Already this year, there are 2 outstanding issues. The first, delicate Fairy Wrens by the always great Jo Muré and a fun set of vintage Travel Posters by Simone Sakinofsky
I could look at Muré’s work all day and suspect I could create an entire book devoted to this long time Australian Post artist/designer. Her little wrens are typical of the type of work I’ve come to expect from Muré – exquisitely detailed and deeply respectful of the subject.
The second set makes this early list because I just love vintage travel posters.
Sakinofsky pulled together a series of posters from the golden age of travel. Interestingly, Canada Post (CP) issued a set, titled Vintage Travel Posters in 2022 from a similar time period. As much as I like Paprika Design, the Canadian firm who created the CP stamps, I think Sakinofsky did a better job. I like the way she incorporated the map beneath the stamp to give a bit of context for each one. And the use of pastel colours ties the set together nicely. They set off the bold yellows and reds in each stamp, making them look even more vibrant.
This year, I’m experimenting with bigger images in the layout. I’ve been testing how they look on smart phones and so far, everything seems to line up nicely. What the aim is, is to allow you to see the stamps in great detail, without you having you to tap to enlarge the stamps. We’ll see how it goes. Don’t forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter and receive update notifications direct to your inbox. It goes out Sunday nights (or Monday morning, depending on where you are) and includes a list of all updated stamp programs, new article links and subscriber only content. It’s free!
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
January
Special Occasions
Topic: events
10 stamps (for different special occasions), 10 booklets, gutter strips & sheets (I opted not to show the booklets/strips etc because of the sheer number of items), maxicards
Offset lithography
- Teddy Bear
- Floral Heart
- Paper Bouquet
- Happy Birthday
- Let’s Celebrate
- White Tulips
- Champagne Flutes
- Waratah
- Australia
- Wedding Bands
Designers:
- Jo Muré – Teddy bear
- Jason Watts -Champagne Flutes
- Simone Sakinofsky – Happy Birthday & Let’s Celebrate
- Sonia Young – Floral Heart, Paper Bouquet, White Tulips, Waratah, Australia & Wedding Bands
Release date: January 3, 2023
February
Sporting Treasures
Topic: sports
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 5 booklets, 4 gutter strips
offset lithography
- Jack Brabham’s BT23A-1 Prototype
- Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s Racquet
- Hubert Opperman’s Tour De France model bike
- Kurt Fearnley’s Racing Wheelchair
Jack Brabham’s BT23A-1 Prototype – Jack Brabham (1926–2014) F1 champion (1959, 1960 and 1966), who designed his own car, the BT19, which he drove to his 1966 victory. Museum acquires historic Jack Brabham car | National Museum of Australia (nma.gov.au)
Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s Racquet – Evonne Fay Goolagong Cawley AC MBE was one of the top tennis players from 1970s and into the mid 80s. “Watershed moments in the history of a sport – and many other things – are often seen more clearly in retrospect. Looking back today across the development of Australian tennis, there is no greater trailblazer than Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, the Wiradjuri woman who dominated the women’s game during the 1970s.” Evonne Goolagong-Cawley: Trailblazer of Australian Tennis | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (nfsa.gov.au)
The tennis raquet is a Dunlop Maxply Fort donated by Goolagong Cawley to the National National Museum of Australia, along with 3 of her Wimbledon trophies.
Hubert Opperman’s Tour De France model bike – “Hubert Opperman was the first Australian cyclist to make an impression in Europe. In 1928, he captured international attention as captain of the first English-speaking team to contest the Tour de France. Two decades of racing and record-setting later, Oppy was an icon of the sport and his country.” An inside look at Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman, Australia’s first cycling star – VeloNews.com
Hubert Opperman collection | National Museum of Australia (nma.gov.au)
Kurt Fearnley’s Racing Wheelchair – Fearnley was a gold medal winning long and middle-distance wheel chair racer. He competed in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympic Games, as well as the 2 IPC Athletics World Championships, and 3 Commonwealth Games and inducted into the Paralympics Australia Hall of Fame in 2022. Home (kurtfearnley.com). The stamp shows the 3 wheel chair Fearnley used to win gold in the 2008 Beijing marathon race and is currently held by the Australian Sports Museum.
Designer: Tim Hancock, Backpack Creative
Hancock designed the 2018 Convict Past stamps for Australia
Release date: February 7, 2023
Fairy Wrens
Topic: birds | wildlife
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, numismatic cover, booket of 20 stamps, 4 maxi covers, stamp pack, gutter strips
offset lithography
Designer: Jo Muré
Release date: February 21, 2023
March
The Golden Age of Travel Posters
Topic: tourism
3 stamps, FDC, cancel, booklet of10, 3 maxi cards, gutter strips
offset lithography
- Western Australia
- South Queensland Surfing Resorts
- Mildura
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky
Sakinofsky’s first stamp for Australia Post was the 2004 Rainforest Butterflies set. She has since gone on to create over 100s of stamps for Australia, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Island and Australian Antarctic Territory.
Release date: March 7, 2023
Centenary of Legacy
Topic: history
1 stamp, sheet of 10, souvenir pack, maxi card (more items to come)
Offset lithography
Legacy is a not-for-profit organisation, formed in 1923 to aid the families of military vets.
In the trenches of the Western Front during World War I, a soldier said to his dying mate “I’ll look after the missus and kids”. This became known as The Promise – and it is still kept today. Our History – Legacy
At the end of WW1, over 60,000 Australian service personal were killed, and 150,000 wounded, many so badly they could never work again or died after the war ended. This left behind families devastated both emotionally and financially. The Legacy was formed to provide aid to the families, and help them through difficult times. And 100 years later, continues to provide help, to families who lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Designer: Janet Boschen, Boschen Design
Release date: March 21, 2023
April
Solar Eclipses
Topic: space | science
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, numismatic cover, cancel, 3 maxi cards, prepaid postcard, presentation pack, gutter strips
offset lithography
- Annular Solar Eclipse
- Total Solar Eclipse
- Partial Solar Eclipse
This issue is being released in the lead-up to a hybrid eclipse (a rare annular–total eclipse), which is due to arrive on 20 April 2023, viewable at 11.29am over a small part of the west coast of Western Australia, the Exmouth peninsula. Australia Post Collectables, Solar Eclipses
Designer: Gary Domoney, VISUA ® | BRAND | DIGITAL | DESIGN
VISUA also designed the 2020 Tokyo Olympic stamps, 2022 Sheepdog Trials and 2007 The Landmarks: Australian Modernist Architecture.
Release date: April 11, 2023
Lest We Forget: The Vietnam War
Topic: history
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 4 FDCs, numismatic cover, cancel, booklet, presentation pack,
offset lithography
The Vietnam Medal
“Instituted in 1968, the Vietnam Medal was the primary Australian campaign medal of the Vietnam War, until the creation of the Australian Active Service Medal 1945–75, some 30 years later. The Vietnam Medal recognises members of the Australian Defence Forces and members of accredited philanthropic organisations serving in South Vietnam between 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973.” Lest We Forget: The Vietnam War – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
The Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal
“The Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal was established on 24 February 1993. It was created to provide recognition to the men and women who played a vital support role during the Vietnam War but did not qualify for the Vietnam Medal. This includes certain defence personnel in support roles, as well as entertainers, journalists, civilian surgical and medical teams, Qantas aircrew and embassy couriers.” Lest We Forget: The Vietnam War – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 was the beginning of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Australia’s participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973. The only combat troops remaining in Vietnam were a platoon guarding the Australian embassy in Saigon, which was withdrawn in June 1973.
Vietnam War 1962–75 | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)
Designer: Sally Piskuric
Melbourne based Sally Piskuric created her first stamps for Australia in 2020, Mid-Century Fashion Focus.
Release date: April 18, 2023
Australian Legends of Supercars
Topic: history | sports
4 stamps, stamp pack. 4 postcards, 4 booklets of 10, FDC, cancel
offset lithography
Designer: SE Products
Release date: April 27, 2023
May
Peacock Spiders
Topics: insects
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, stamp pack, 3 maxi cards, 2 FDCs, cancel, booklet of 10
offset lithography
- Maratus Elephans – so called elephans because of the “elephant on it’s butt”. Documented in 2015 in Tamworth, New South Wales
- Maratus purcellae – first fully described in 2013 when they were discovered in 1st in a garden in Canberra and and then in Grafton
- Maratus Speciosus (Coastal Peacock Spider) – this little peacock was first described in 1874. It likes to party along the south-west coast of Western Australia and enjoys the sand dunes as well.
There are 96 varieties of peacock (Maratus) spiders, and a further 20 as yet unnamed.
Peacocks are tiny, only 2–5 millimetres in size. To capture their colours, photographers need a lot of patience, an eagle eye and either a microscope or macro lens. Their colours are prominent during courting rituals, in which the males display their dances and colours to attract a mate. Females are either a dull brown or grey colour. Each species has a distinct colour pattern and dance.
Although first documented in 1874, they have remained largely unstudied until 2011 when arachnologists began investigating them in depth:
Sydney-based arachnologist Jürgen Otto and his US colleague David Hill have described a great number of species since Jürgen first happened upon M. volans in Sydney in 2005 and became intrigued by the tiny spiders. Little was known of their elaborate courtship behaviour until Jürgen observed, documented and filmed their display in 2008, which became a social media hit.
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky
Photographer: Jürgen Otto
All the photos used in this series were taken by Jürgen Otto. Biologist Otto first discovered the colourful little spiders on a bush walk in 2005.
Otto says he almost stepped on the creature. Luckily – for him and the spider – he didn’t. Instead, he snapped a photo of it, and so began his fascination with the little critters.
His enthusiasm moved into the academic realm when David Hill, a founder of a journal on jumping spiders Peckhamia, encouraged Otto to branch out into peacock spider research. The colourful world of Jürgen Otto (cosmosmagazine.com)
The above quote is from an excellent Cosmos interview with Otto. It’s a fun read so I encourage you to check it out, even if you are a spiderphobe like me. It’s hard not to love little peacocks after you read about them. If you are interested in a deep dive into Maratus, you can read Jürgen Otto and David Hill’s 2017 paper Five new peacock spiders from Western Australia (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini: Maratus Karsch 1878). It’s a lengthy document (97 page pdf), that includes highly detailed photos of each spider.
Jürgen Otto also has a YouTube channel celebrating these curious little spiders. It’s called Peacock Spiderman. He manages to capture some of the peacocks in full courtship … and then he has a few just Staying Alive:
Release date: May 9, 2023
Jellyfish: Underwater Wonders
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 4 maxi cards, 5 booklets of 8, gutterstrips also available
offset
- Lion’s Mane Photographer: David Paul
- Blue Blubber Photographer: Paul Starosta/Getty Images
- Moon Jellyfish Photographer: Alexander Semenov/Science Photo Library
- Bazinga Photographer: Denis Riek
Designer: Jason Watts
Release date: May 16, 2023
June
Extinct Mammals
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 3 maxicards, stamp pack, booklets of 10, 3 gutter sheets of 10
Offset lithography
- Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger, Thylacinus cynocephalus) – last known TT died in captivity at the Beaumaris Zoo, Hobart, in 1936
- Toolache Wallaby (Notamacropus greyi) – last known Toolache died in captivity in 1939
- Long-tailed Hopping-mouse (Notomys longicaudatus) – thought to be extinct since 1901 when the last one was seen
Designer: Sonia Young
Release date: June 1, 2023
Still-life Paintings – Margaret Olley and John Perceval
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, 2 maxicards, stamp pack, booklets of 10, 2 gutter sheets of 10
Offset lithography
Margaret Olley (1923-2011), Winter Flowers 1964 – oil on board, 74.8 × 59 cm, private collection, courtesy of Smith & Singer Fine Art. © Philip Bacon Gallery
Margaret Olley | Art Gallery of NSW
John Perceval (1923-2000), Sunflowers undated – oil on canvas, 46 × 35.5 cm, Jreissati Family Collection. © Celia Perceval. Photo: Don Gathercole
John Perceval, National Portrait Gallery
Designer: Jo Muré
Release date: June 6, 2023
Sustainable Future
3 stamps (gummed and self adhesive), souvenir sheet, cancel, 2 FDCs, 3 maxicards, 3 booklets, stamp pack
offset
- Biodiversity “his issue presents a stylised scene, inspired by Lake Connewarre, Victoria. That location is the site of a trial to release the Orange-bellied Parrot (while on migration from breeding sites in Tasmania). The planting of gum trees in a corridor next to the lake and wetlands has been implemented to support local Koala populations. Local saltmarsh plants preferred by the Orange-bellied Parrot and the vulnerable Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis) have also been included in the scene.” Sustainable Future – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
- Indigenous Land Management “Indigenous land management comprises a diverse range of activities, including weed and feral animal control, fire management (such as cool burning), revegetation, management of water supplies, surveying plant and animal species, and the Indigenous Rangers program. The program, first funded in 2007, has created thousands of jobs for Indigenous people in land and sea management. As of April 2021, there were 129 Indigenous ranger groups, and the 2022 federal budget included funding for more than 80 additional ranger groups over six years.” Sustainable Future – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
- Renewable Energy “In 2021, some 29 per cent of Australia’s total electricity generation was from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and hydro – the highest percentage on record in Australia. Australia has some of the highest uptake of solar in the world, around 32 per cent of households,” Sustainable Future – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
Designer: Sharon Rodziewicz, Australia Post Design Studio
Illustrator: Andrew Hopgood
Release date: June 27, 2023
July
Concession Post 2023
1 stamp
offset
Concession stamps are special issues that allow certain people reduced postage for a year.
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: July 4, 2023
FIFA Women’s World Cup
1 stamp, stamp pack, FDC, cancel, 3 covers (pin, coin and medallion covers), maxicard, sheets of 10, prestige pack, 12 stamps featuring team members
offset
The stamp features the official FIFA mascot Tazuni™.
Tazuni™ is an energetic, football-loving penguin based on the species endemic to the region, Eudyptula minor, or Little Penguin. The colourful branding elements of the stamp and cover are based on works by Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand artists. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
Designer: Australia Post Design Studio/FIFA
Release date: July 11, 2023
August
Native Title Act 1993: 30 Years
1 prepaid cover, cancel
The landmark Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) was a long time coming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Their lands had been systematically colonised by Europeans since 1788 through the legal fiction of terra nullius (“no-one’s land”).
The Act provides for establishing “native title” over customary lands and waters through traditional owners substantiating their claims of ongoing cultural connection to country – a connection that stretches back some 65,000 years.Native Title: 30 Years Postage Paid Envelope – Postal Stationery (auspost.com.au)
Designer: Jo Mure
Photographers:
Eddie Koiki Mabo on Mer,
© Trevor Graham
Yarra Bank Films
Release date: August 8, 2023
Aussie Bird Count 2024
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 3 maxi cards, stamp pack, gutter strips (not shown)
offset
- Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) –
- Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
- Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
This series celebrates the 10th Aussie Bird Count. For the past 10 years, Australians download go count birds for the BirdLife Australia. The aim is to track bird numbers to follow their health and progress. In 2022 124,430 checklists were submitted, accounting for nearly 4 million birds. Birdlife has a news release on this set of stamps and the birds Stamp of approval – BirdLife Australia
Designer: Andrew Hogg Design
Artist: Rachel Gyan
Release date: August 15, 2023
September
Aussie Big Things
5 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 5 maxicards
numismatic coin covers and gutter strips also available
offset
Second in a celebration of “Big Things” found in Australia. Reg Mombassa supplied artwork for the first set in 2007
- The Big Tasmanian Devil, Mole Creek, Tas
- Giant Koala, Dadswells Bridge, Vic.
- Big Swoop, Canberra, ACT
- Giant Murray Cod, Swan Hill, Vic.
- The Big Jumping Crocodile, Wak Wak, NT
Designer: Sonia Young
Artist: Nigel Buchanan
NIGEL BUCHANAN
Buchanan’s name may not be familiar, his artwork will be to many. He his artwork has illustrated the covers of Times Magazine, Billboard, Newsweek, Der Spiegel and Fortune, to name a few.
Release date: September 4, 2023
Queen Elizabeth II: In Memoriam
6 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, souvenir sheet, concertina pack (includes sheetlets of all 6 stamps)
gutter strips, medallion covers available
offset
- Princess Elizabeth, 1945
- Queen Elizabeth II, 1952
- Queen Elizabeth II, 1954
- Queen Elizabeth II, 1997
- Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip, 2007
- Queen Elizabeth II, 2022
Designer: Sonia Young
Release date: September 26, 2023
Australia’s First Olympian: Edwin Flack
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheetlet pack, sheet of 10, maxicard
offset
Winner of 800 metres and 1500 metres races and 3rd in doubles tennis at the 1886 Olympics.
Australia’s first Olympian | National Museum of Australia (nma.gov.au)
Designer: Sonia Young
Release date: September 26, 2023
October
Disney 100
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel 4 maxi cards, stamp pack, souvenir collection, 6 special souvenir sets (Marvel, Mickey and Friends, Pixar, Princess, Star Wars, Disney Celebration)
12 medallion covers, 2 numismatic covers also available
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky
Release date: October 3, 2023
October
Centenary of Public Broadcast Radio
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheetlets of 10, booklets, maxi card
offset
Australia’s first radio station, 2SB Sydney, took to the air on 23 November 1923
Typography: Jo Muré
Artist: Harry Slaghekke
Release date: October 17, 2023
Poppies of Remembrance
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 3 booklets of 10, 3 maxi cards, FDC, cancel, 3 prestige covers
offset
Designer: Matt Remphrey, Parallax Design
Release date: October 24, 2023
November
King Charles III
3 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, 2 maxi cards, 1 sheet of 10, concertina pack
- HRH Prince Charles, 1966
- HRH Prince Charles, 2018
- HRH Prince Charles Coronation 2023
Designer: Jo Muré
Release date: November 1, 2023
Christmas 2023
Secular
Religious
5 stamps, 1 souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, 5 maxi cards, 5 booklets, stamp packs, 3 sheets, numismatic cover, embellished sheets
Offset lithography
Artist: Dani Poon
Designer: Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio (secular stamps and products)
Dani Poon (religious stamps)
Release date: November 1, 2023
by catpaw | 21 Nov, 2022 | country Stamps
The July to December issues or Australia 2022 stamps continues.
July
Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, maxi card, sheetlet pack, sheet of 10
offset lithography
Yorta Yorta man Douglas (Doug) Ralph Nicholls (1906–88) was a footballer, pastor, Aboriginal rights campaigner, leader and state governor. In 1972, he became the first Aboriginal Australian to be knighted – an anniversary that this stamp issue commemorates. Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
Designer: Jo Muré
Release date: July 5 2022
Budgerigars
3 stamps, 1 FDC, cancel, numismatic cover, 3 gutter sheets, 3 booklet sheets, 3 maxi cards, presentation pack (includes mini sheetlet)
Photographer: Leila Jeffreys
Designer: Sharon Rodziewicz, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: July 11, 2022
Set of Centenary of the Men’s National Football Team
2 stamps, 2 gutter strips, 2 FDCs, cancel, presentation pack, maxi cards
Designer: Jason Watts, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: July 19, 2022
August
Cicadas
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 3 maxi cards, presenation pack, 3 gutter strips of 10
offset lithography
These 3 cicadas are found in eastern New South Wales, northern Queensland and southern Western Australia:
Artist: Owen Bell
Previous stamps include Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Visiting Birds (2015), Jewel Beetles (2016), Endangered Wildlife (2016), Dragonflies (2017) and Frogs (2018).
Australia Post interviewed Bell in 2018 and talked about his nature art. You can read it here An interview with Owen Bell, digital painter – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
Designer: Jo Muré
Release date: August 2, 2022
150 Years: Overland Telegraph
1 stamp, maxi card, FDC, cancel, 2 numismatic covers, presentation pack, sheet of 10
Details coming soon
Release date: August 23, 2022
Ariel Views of Australia
Details coming soon
Release date: August 23, 2022
Australian-bred Roses
4 stamps, minisheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 4 maxi cards, gutter strips (not shown), booklet, stamp pack, scented stamp pack
offset lithography
Released to celebrate World Rose Convention 2022, in Adelaide, October 27 and November 3, 2022.
- Lorraine Lee
- Lady of Australia
- Governor Marie Bashir
- Dusky Moon
Designer: Sonia Young
Release date: September 13, 2022
Rock Art of the Kimberley
2 stamps, minisheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, stamp pack, gutter strips (not shown)
offset lithography
- crocodiles
- Gwion Gwion figures
Kimberley Rock Art | Australia’s North West (australiasnorthwest.com)
Designer: Sonia Young
Release date: September 20, 2022
October
150 Years of Free Education
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, numismatic cover, maxi card, sheet pack, sheet of 10
offset lithography
This issue celebrates the passage of The Education Act in Victoria on 17 December 1872.
This legislation made the colony of Victoria one of the first jurisdictions in the world to offer free, compulsory and secular education to its children. Public education was now administered by the centralised Victorian Department of Education. 150 Years of Free, Secular and Compulsory Education – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
The government of Victoria has a great page on this anniversary 150 years of public education in Victoria | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au).
Lots of great material on the origins of the legislation and how it has evolved. Good page.
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky
Sakinofsky is a senior graphic designer with Australia Post. Meet a Philatelic designer: Simone Sakinofsky – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
Simone has designed stamps for Australia, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Island and AAT, starting with the 2004 Rainforest Butterflies set.
Release date: October 11, 2022
Australian Rivers
4 stamps, 1 FDC, cancel, 4 maxi cards, presentation pack
offset lithography
Designer: Sonia Young
Release date: October 25, 2022
November
Christmas
5 stamps, souvenir sheet, booklets, gutter strips, 5 maxi cards, 2 FDCs, numismatic cover, cancel, presentation pack
Designer: Simone Sakinofsky, secular design
Designer: Gavin Ryan, religious design
Release date: November 1, 2022
December
Native Animals
4 stamps, booklet of 20, presentation pack, 2 FDCs, cancel, 4 maxi cards
offset lithography
- Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
- Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus)
- Quokka (Setonix brachyurus)
- Mountain Pygmy Possum (Burramys parvus)
Designer: Jason Watts
Release date: December 19, 2022
GO BACK TO THE JAN TO JUNE ISSUES
See the 2021 program Watching Australia 2021 stamps | Bitter Grounds Magazine
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by catpaw | 26 Jun, 2021 | Stamps
Christmas Island stamps for 2021 started off with the spectacular Year of the Ox set. It is one of the standout collections of the Lunar New Year issues from around the world. Australia post issues stamps for Christmas Island, so you may recognise some of the artists & designers used over the years. The extensive Lunar New Year set was created by Chrissy Lau . I include a bit about her below if you aren’t familiar with her work.
Along with the usual stamps and FDCs, Australia Post will issue 4 postcards for the August Christmas Island sea turtles set. When more info is released, I’ll add the designers name to the listing.
Christmas Island stamps for 2021
Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox
gold sheetlet pack
Medallion & numismatic covers
Gutter strips
Prestige Booklet
Sheet
Covers
Sheetlet pack
3 stamps, mini sheet, FDCs, cancel, airmail cover, pictorial cover, sheetlet, medallion cover, calendar pack, presentation booklet, postcard, 3 gutter strips, gold sheetlet pack (888 were released)
Australia Post also has a full Chinese zodiac souvenir sheet displaying all the animals and years they are associated with. It would round out a Lunar New Year collection.
Interested in seeing more Lunar New Year stamps from around the world? Check my page on Year of the Ox stamps:
2021 Year of the Ox stamps worldwide
Designer/ original art: Chrissy Lau
When I wandered through her site, I realised I’ve seen her art before. She designed Guernsey Islands Year of the Rat stamp series last year. Check out her distinctive style on her website: Chrissy Lau | Artist Illustrator | Portfolio.
Release date: Jan 8, 2021
Christmas Island Sea Turtle
Souvenir sheet & FDCs
Postcards
4 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, souvenir sheet, 4 postcards
- Green Sea Turtle
- Hawksbill Turtle
Release date: August 10, 2021
November
Christmas 2021
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 gutter sheets of 10, booklet of 10, 2 FDCs, cancel, numismatic cover, cancel
Snorkeling Santa & Greeting wildlife
Illustrator: Andrew McIntosh
Set designer: Simone Sakinofsky, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: November 1, 2021
See more stamps: Watching out for new Australia 2021 stamps and Norfolk Island 2021 lizards & snails oh my
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by catpaw | 29 Dec, 2020 | country Stamps, Stamps
This article picks up the Australia 2021 stamp program with the July to November issues. Part one can be found here Australia 2021 stamp program
July
Australian Contemporary Sculpture
Souvenir strip
Booklet of 10 stamps, FDC
Pack
Gutter strips
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, booklet, FDC, cancel, stamp pack, 4 gutter strips of 10, chequebook
Designer: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: July 6, 2021
Tokyo Olympics 2021
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 10, pack, maxicard
Illustrator: Joanna Cullen, Visua
Designer: Gary Domoney, Visua
Release date: July 6, 2021
Australia’s Volcanic Past
FDC
Stamp pack
Maxi Card
gutter strips
box of 100
4 stamps, FDC, cancel, Booklet of 20, strip of 4, stamp pack, 4 maxicards, 4 gutter strips of 10, roll of 100
- Table Cape, Tasmania
- Wollumbin Mount Warning, NSW
- Mount Elephant, Victoria
- Lord Howe Island, NSW
Designer: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: July 13, 2021
Australian Native Bonsai
sheetlets
Medallion & stamp cover, graphic envelope
FDCs
maxi cards
gutter sheets
3 stamps, stamp & medallion cover, 2 FDCs, cancel, Stamp and Medallion cover, 3 maxi cards, sheetlet of 5, sheetlet of 5 international stamps, souvenir sheet of 3, 3 gutter strip sheets of 10, pictorial envelope
- Callistemon viminalis
- Ficus rubiginosa
- Melaleuca linariifolia
Designer: Janet Boschen Design
Release date: July 27, 2021
August stamp releases
Australian Gold Medallist Stamps for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Ariarne Titmus Women’s 400m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle
Emma McKeon Women’s 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle
Kaylee McKeown 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke
Women’s 4×4 100m Freestyle Relay | Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Zac Stubblety-Cook Men’s 200m Breaststroke
Rowing: Men’s Four | Women’s Four
Jessica Fox, Canoe Slalom | Tom Green and Jean Van Der Westhuyzen, Canoe Sprint Men’s K2 1000m
Logan Martin Men’s BMX Freestyle
Matt Wearn, Men’s Laser | Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan, Men’s 470
Keegan Palmer Skateboarding Men’s Park
All releases include single stamp + souvenir sheet of 10
A set containing 17 gold medal sheets, special “Ticket to Tokyo” stamp in book format
Release date: mid August 2021
September
100 Years of Ginger Meggs
Limited edition book, FDC that comes only with the book
maxi cards
minisheet
FDC, FDC with sheet
Numismatic covers
presentation pack
gutter pairs
3 stamps, 3 gutter pairs, 3 FDCs, cancel, 2 numismatic covers, presentation pack, limited edition book, 3 maxi cards
Limited edition 192-page hardcover book by Tristan Bancks, great-great nephew of Ginger Meggs creator Jimmy Bancks, is illustrated in full colour by the current Ginger Meggs comic-strip cartoonist, Jason Chatfield. Book will also include a limited-edition first day cover, a gold-foiled postmark and special block of four stamps
Artist: Jason Chatfield
Designer: Australia Post
Release date: September 7, 2021
Wattle Wonders – Acacia
souvenir sheet
FDCs
stamp pack and booklet
maxi cards
gutter strips
3 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, souvenir sheet, 3 gutter strips, booklet, stamp pack ,3 maxi cards
- Acacia leprosa ‘Scarlet Blaze’
- Acacia purpureopetala (Purple-flowered Wattle)
- Acacia alata var. biglandulosa (Winged Wattle)
Designer: Keith Downes, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: September 14, 2021
The Queen’s 95th Birthday
souvenir sheet
FDCs
Numismatic covers
maxi cards and stamp pack
gutter strips
2 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 numismatic covers, 2 maxi cards, stamp pack, souvenir sheet, 2 gutter strips of 10
Designer: Keith Downes, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: September 21, 2021
100 Years of the Archibald Prize
FDC
presentation pack
maxi cards
Gutter Strips
3 stamps, 3 gutters strips of 10, presentation pack, 3 maxi cards, FDC, cancel
- William Dobell
- William Dargie
- Del Kathryn Barton
Archibald Prize website
First awarded in 1921, the Archibald Prize was established following a bequest from former Art Gallery trustee and founder of The Bulletin magazine, JF Archibald (1856–1919), whose aim was to foster portraiture, support artists and perpetuate the memory of great Australians. This annual open competition, which is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery, is awarded to the best portrait, “preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in arts, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia”. 100 Years of The Archibald Prize – Australia Post (australiapostcollectables.com.au)
Designer: Lynette Traynor, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: September 28, 2021
October
Nature’s Mimics
minisheet
FDCs
maxi cards
presentation pack, sheets of 10
3 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, souvenir sheet, 3 gutter sheets of 10, presentation pack, 3 maxi cards
Designer: Anita Xhafer, Xhafer Grafix
Product designer: Jo Muré
Release date: October 5, 2021
Holden’s Final Roar
souvenir sheet
FDCs
gutter strips, booklets, presentation packs
maxi cards
medallion covers
5 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 5 medallion covers, 5 booklets, 5 maxi cards, 5 gutter strips of 10, presentation pack
All images of booklets & strips have not been posted.
Medallion covers limited to 2,200 each.
- $1.10 1972 LJ Torana XU-1
- $1.10 1993 VP Commodore
- $1.10 1996 VR Commodore
- $1.10 2001 VX Commodore
- $1.10 2020 ZB Commodore
Illustrations: Hughes Motorsport Art – FIVE MINUTES WITH HOLDEN DESIGNER PETER HUGHES | V8 Sleuth
Designer: Jason Watts
Release date: October 7, 2021
RSPCA: 150 Years
souvenir sheet
self adhesives
FDCs with gummed & self adhesive, souvenir sheet
numismatic covers & coins
5 Booklets of 10, 5 maxi cards, roll of 100
gutter strips, stamp pack
5 stamps, souvenir sheet, strip of 5 self-adhesives, 3 FDCs cancel, 3 numismatic covers, stamp pack, 5 gutter strips of 10 stamps, 5 maxi cards, box of 100, 5 booklets of 10
- $1.10 Research
- $1.10 Shelter
- $1.10 Protection
- $1.10 Certification
- $1.10 Advocacy
Designer: Andrew Hogg, Andrew Hogg Design
Release date: October 19, 2021
First Regular Airmail
1 stamp, sheet of 10, FDC, cancel, maxi card, sheetlet pack
The first airmail in Australia happened pre-WW1. Maurice Guillaux flew his 50hp Blériot XI from Melbourne to Sydney in July 1914. This was a one off trip that demonstrated the possibilities of mail delivery via airplane. The first regular airmail contract was awarded to Western Australian Airways, owned and operated by the legendary Norman Brearley (1890–1989).
Western Australia flight map Geraldton and Derby, which took around three days, with stops at Carnarvon, Onslow, Roebourne, Port Headland and Broome
Bristol Tourers were picked by Brearley to undertake the first trips. Pilots Charles Kingsford ‘Smithy’ Smith, Len Taplin, Bob Fawcett, Arthur Blake & Val Abbott were tapped for the inaugural flights. The planned take offs from Langely Park, Perth December 5, 1921.
On 5 December, Len Taplin took off first, in G-AUDG, followed by Bob Fawcett & ‘Flying Mechanic’ Edward Broad as his passenger, in G-AUDI. Soon afterwards Norm Brearley followed, with passengers M.P. Durack & Geoff Jacoby, in G-AUDJ. They flew in line, some 100m apart. About 130km north of Geraldton, Len Taplin made an emergency landing on the Murchison House Station, after his engine began misfiring. Bob Fawcett, in G-AUDI, reduced height & circled the area, to check on Taplin & G-AUDG. He apparently reduced speed too much, stalled & crashed, killing both occupants on impact. Norm Brearley, not being able to see Fawcett & wanting to check on Taplin’s situation, landed G-AUDJ some 3km away. Soon, two Aboriginal station hands arrived on horseback & advised that one aircraft had crashed, killing both people on board. Ironically, Taplin had soon fixed the engine problem. Fawcett & Broad were buried in the Murchison House cemetery, with the service overseen by the station’s manager. Australia’s first scheduled airline service had ended in disaster. The C.A.B.’s investigation found that the crash had occurred due to an “Error of judgement; pilot banked too steeply in landing in rough country” :: The Spirits of Ansett
Read more about the Bristol Type 47 Tourer | BAE Systems | International.
Read more about Australia’s pioneer aviation days The Story of Australia’s first Airmail-part 1 – Inside the Collection (maas.museum).
The Western Australia Study Group has a good pdf (free to download) on their website that covers early airmails. It’s interesting and well written. www.wastudygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BH-WesternAustraliaAirmail1-16H.pdf. And don’t forget to take a look at their main page Western Australia Study Group – Promoting the collection and study of all aspects of Western Australian philately (wastudygroup.com).
If you enjoy Australian airmail, check out this Amazing Australian airmail souvenir
Designer: Lynda Warner
Release date: October 22, 2021
November
Christmas 2021
souvenir sheet
FDCs
numismatic cover
gutter strips
booklets
mini sheets
maxi cards
5 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, numismatic cover, cancel, 3 gutter strips of 10, 2 booklets of 20, 4 mini sheets of 5, mini sheet pack, stamp pack, 5 maxi cards
Designer secular stamps: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio
Designer religious stamps & product design: Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: November 1, 2021
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