AUSTRALIA

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Currency: 12 pence = 1 Shilling; 20 Shillings = 1 Pound
Capital: Canberra

Note: on my website many of the pictures can not be seen! They are of course present in the cd's;
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The former colonies New South Wales, Queensland, Southern Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia were declared as commonwealth in 1901.

1912 Stamps of Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia overprinted

  'ONE PENNY' (red) on 2 p violet (Tasmania)
  'ONE PENNY' (red) on 2 p violet (Victoria)
  'ONE PENNY' on 2 p yellow (Western Australia)

These three stamps were actually the first stamps to be valid in the whole of Australia.

Value of the stamps

vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
1 p on 2 p violet (Tasmania) c c  
1 p on 2 p violet (Victoria) c c  
1 p on 2 p yellow (Western Australia) c c  

 

1912 Map of Australia with Kangaroo

2 1/2 p blue 5 Sh yellow and grey 1 Pound grey 1 Pound blue and brown Space filler

  1/2 p green
  1 p red
  2 p grey
  2 1/2 p blue
  3 p olive
  4 p orange
  5 p brown
  6 p blue
  6 p brown
  9 p lilac
  1 Sh green
  2 Sh brown
  5 Sh yellow and grey
  10 Sh red and grey
  1 Pound blue and brown
  1 Pound grey
  2 Pounds red and black


'Crown A' watermark on a 5 Sh stamp

For the specialist; these stamps were first issued with watermark 'Crown A' (specialists even distinghuish three kinds of this watermark). In 1929 these stamps were also issued with watermark 'Multiple Crown A' and in 1931 with watermark 'Multiple Crown C of A'. Most of these stamps were issued with perforation 12, though the later ones also exist with perforation 11 1/2.

"Specimen" overprint "Specimen overprint"

These stamps were sometimes sold overprinted 'SPECIMEN' (see images). Stamps with round holes in it were used telegraphically (rare, since they were usually destroyed by the postal authorities), example:


(Telegraphic cancel: large hole)

Value of the stamps

vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
Watermark 'Crown A'
1/2 p c vc  
1 p c vc  
2 p c vc  
2 1/2 p * c  
3 p * c  
4 p * *  
5 p * *  
6 p blue * c  
6 p brown * c issued 1924
9 p * *  
1 Sh * c  
2 Sh ** c  
5 Sh *** *  
10 Sh *** **  
1 Pound blue and brown R R  
1 Pound grey *** *** issued 1924
2 Pounds RR RR  
Watermark 'Multiple Crown A'
6 p brown * c  
9 p * c  
1 Sh * c  
2 Sh * c  
5 Sh ** *  
10 Sh *** **  
2 Pounds R R  

Watermark 'Multiple Crown C of A'

6 p brown * c  
9 p * c  
5 Sh ** *  
10 Sh *** **  


Cancelled to order stamp? I've seen many stamps with a neatly applied 'MELBOURNE DE 3 13' cancel (usually applied in a corner)

Forgeries: Sperati made forgeries of the 2 Pounds Kangaroo stamp. This Sperati forgery is printed on genuine paper by removing the design of a cheaper value. Therefore the cancels are also genuine. Example of such a forgery:


(Sperati forgery)


Sperati forgeries 'proofs', images obtained froma Shreves auction

If I'm well informed there should be a white flaw off Warrnambool (where this city is located on the map in Victoria). Sperati bleached out the design of a genuine low valued stamp and printed the new high value using photolithography. Also note that there is a dent in the upper right hand side of the '2'. Sperati forgeries are rare.


(Imperforate Hialeah forgeries, reduced sizes)

There exist some 'Hialeah forgeries' of the 2 Sh, 5 Sh, 10 Sh, both the 1 Pound values and the 2 Pounds value. I haven't seen them personally, but I suspect they were made with a scanner and printer. The quality of these Hialeah forgeries is quite bad, most of the smaller details are lost. These forgeries were offered in whole sheets in imperforate condition.

I've seen a souvenir sheet with the 1 Pound blue and brown and 2 Pounds Kangaroo stamps, together with a 1932 5 Sh bridge stamp printed for the Anpex 1972 exhibition. The cancels read 'ADELAIDE 22-27 AUG. 1927 SOUTH AUSTRALIA' and 'CENTENARY OF THE OVERLAND TELEGRAPH 1872-1972' (both in a single circle). The paper is intentionally different, as well as the sizes of the stamps (slightly smaller) and the perforation.


The Anpex 1972 souvenir sheet

Examples from this souvenir sheet:


(Individual stamps of the 1 Pound and 2 Pounds values from the Anpex 1972 souvenir sheets)

 

1913 King George V

Different type, '1's fatter

  1/2 p green
  1/2 p orange
  1 p red
  1 p violet
  1 p green
  1 1/2 p brown
  1 1/2 p light blue
  1 1/2 p red
  2 p orange
  2 p red
  2 p brown
  3 p blue
  4 p yellow
  4 p orange
  4 p violet
  4 p blue
  4 p olive
  4 1/2 p violet
  5 p brown
  1 Sh 4 p blue

Surcharged (1930)
  'TWO PENCE' on 1 1/2 p red
  'FIVE PENCE' on 4 1/2 p violet

For the specialist; these stamps were issued without watermark (1 p red, 1 p green and 1 1/2 p red only), also with watermark 'Crown A', 'Multiple Crown A' (only several crowns and 'A's) and 'Multiple Small Crown A' (with many small crowns and 'A's). In 1931 the watermark 'Multiple Crown C of A' was introduced on these stamps.

Value of the stamps

vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks

No Watermark

1 p red c c issued 1913
1 p green c c issued 1925
1 1/2 p red c c issued 1925
Watermark 'Crown A'
1/2 p green c vc  
1/2 p orange c vc  
1 p red c vc  
1 p violet c vc  
1 p green c vc  
1 1/2 p brown c vc  
1 1/2 p blue c vc  
1 1/2 p red c vc  
2 p orange c vc  
2 p red c vc  
2 p brown c c  
3 p blue * c  
4 p orange * c  
4 p violet * c  
4 p blue * c  
4 p olive * c  
4 1/2 p violet * c  
5 p brown * c  
1 Sh 4 p * *  

Watermark 'Multiple Crown A'

1/2 p green c vc  
1 p red c c  
1 p green c c  
1 1/2 p brown c c  
Watermark 'Multiple Small Crown A'
1/2 p orange c vc  
1 p green c vc  
1 1/2 p red c vc  
1 1/2 p brown c c  
2 p brown c c  
2 p red c vc  
3 p blue c c  
4 p olive c c  
4 1/2 p violet * c  
5 p brown * c  
1 Sh 4 p blue * *  
Watermark 'Multiple Crown C of A'
1/2 p orange vc vc  
1 p green c vc  
2 p red c vc  
3 p blue c c  
4 p olive c c  
5 p brown c c  
1 Sh 4 p blue * c  

A postal forgery (to deceive the postal authorities) of the 2 p red was dicovered in May 1932:


Image found at: http://berg.heim.at/kaprun/430320/01-Lehr/02/09/09/Nachdrucke.htm


(Postal forgery, note the almost identical cancel to the previous stamp! 'EARLY EAC...')

A description of these postal forgeries can be found in 'Postal Forgeries of the World' by H.G. Leslie Fletcher. They do not have any watermark (genuine stamps should have a watermark) and have a blurred impression (though the design is carefully copied). The perforation is different from the genuine stamps; the forgeries have perforation 11x11, while the genuine have 13 1/2 x 12 1/2. These forgeries were prepared by a group of Irishmen (Irish gang) who were trying to issue thousands of fake Irish Hospital Sweepstakes tickets. They prepared forged stamps of this issue and the 2 p Sydney Harbour Bridge issue to avoid drawing attention. A total of 50,000 forged stamps were prepared by them. A stamp collector from Adelaide discovered the forgeries and warned the authoroties, who arrested three people. I have seen an uncancelled example of this forgery as well.

 

1914 Kokaburra bird (or Kookaburra)

  6 p lilac and brown

Value of the stamps

vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
Watermark 'Crown A'
6 p ** **  

Another stamp in the same design was issued in 1928 (3 p blue). Another stamp in a similar design was issued in 1932:


1928 3 p and 1932 6 p Kookaburra bird issue

 

1927 Opening of parliament in Canberra

  1 1/2 p brown

 

1928 Kokaburra bird

3 p blue.

This stamp was printed in blocks of 4 for the Melbourne stamp exhibition. It was also printed in sheets of 120 stamps for sale at the post office.

 

1929 Airmal stamp, plane above landscape, inscription 'AIR MAIL SERVICE'

3 p green.

 

1929 100 year celebration of West Australia, swan in an ellipse

  1 1/2 p red

I've seen a reprint minisheet with four imperforate stamps for the Wapex 1972 in Perth. The stamps have a black slanting line printed across the lower right corner.

 

1930 Charles Stuart

1 1/2 p red, 3 p blue.

 

1931 Aeroplane over two globes, inscription 'KINGSFORD SMITH'S WORLD FLIGHTS'

2 p red, 3 p blue.

With overprint 'OS' (official stamps): 2 p red, 3 p blue.

With inscription 'AIR MAIL SERVICE' at the sides: 6 p lilac

With inscription 'AIR MAIL SERVICE' at the bottom: 6 p brown.

 

1932 Birds


1932 6 p Kookaburra and 1 Sh Lyrebird

  6 p brown
  1 Sh green

The 1 Sh stamp with 'OS' overprint is an official stamp.

 

1932 Port Jackson Bridge (Sydney Harbour Bridge)

  2 p red
  3 p blue
  5 Sh green

I've seen the values 2 p and 3 p with 'OS' overprint, these are official stamps.

Postal forgeries of the 2 p exist (see after the 1913 issue for the full story of these forgeries). They were made by an 'Irish gang'.


The so-called Irish forgery of the 2 p Syndey Harbour Bridge value


The Anpex 1972 souvenir sheet with a 'reproduction' of the 5 Sh stamp


Reproduction, removed from the above sheet


Another reproduction with extremely wide perforation

 

1934 100 year discovery of Victoria, aboriginal facing Melbourne

  2 p red
  3 p blue
  1 Sh black

 

1934 100 year introduction of Merino sheep

2 pred, 3 p blue , 9 p lilac

 

1934 Mercury in between two globes

1 Sh 6 p lilac

 

1935 20 year commemoration of Gallipoli

2 p red, 1 Sh black.

 

1935 25 year reign of King George V, king sitting on horse

2 p red, 3 p bue, 2 Sh violet.

 

1936 Inauguration of the telephone line between Australia and Tasmania

2 p red, 3 p blue.

 

1936 100 years colony South Australia

2 p red, 3 p blue, 1 Sh green.

 

1937-49 Royal family issue, various designs

  1 p green (Queen Mother, 'AUSTRALIA' straight)
  1 p brown (Queen Mother, 'AUSTRALIA' straight)
  1 p lilac (Queen Mother, 'AUSTRALIA' curved, 1942)
  1 1/2 p brown (King)
  1 1/2 p green (King)
  1 1/2 p green (Queen Mother, 'AUSTRALIA' curved, 1942)
  1 1/2 p green (Queen Mother facing the right, 1950)
  2 p red (King)
  2 p lilac (King in rectangle)
  2 p lilac (King in ellipse, 1942)
  2 p olive (Queen Mother facing the right, 1950)
  2 1/2 p red (King, 'AUSTRALIA' on top, 1942)
  2 1/2 p red (King facing the left, 'AUSTRALIA' at the bottom, 1950)
  2 1/2 p brown (King facing the left, 'AUSTRALIA' at the bottom, 1950)
  3 p brown (King in ellipse)
  3 p blue (King in ellipse)
  3 p red (King facing the left, 1950)
  3 p ? (King facing the left, 1950)
  3 1/2 p blue (King, 'AUSTRALIA' on top, 1942)
  3 1/2 p lilac (King, 'AUSTRALIA' at the bottom, 1950)
  4 1/2 p red (King, 1950)
  6 1/2 p brown (1950)
  6 1/2 p green (1950)
  7 1/2 p blue (1950)
  1 Sh 0 1/2 blue (King in circle, 1950)
  1 Sh 4 p lilac (King)
  2 Sh 6 p brown (King, larger size)
  5 Sh red (Queen in robe, larger size)
  10 Sh lilac (King in robe)
  1 Pound grey (King and Queen in robes, larger size)

Surcharged (1940)
  '2 1/2 d.' on 2 p red
  '3 1/2 d.' on 3 p blue 

 

1937 Definitive set

  1/2 p orange (kangaroo)
  4 p green (koala)
  5 p lilac (sheep)
  5 1/2 p grey (emu, 1942)
  6 p brown (kookaburra bird facing the left)
  9 p brown (duck-billed platypus)

Surcharged 
  '5 1/2 d.' on 5 p lilac (1940) 

 

1937 New South Wales, 150th anniversary

  2 p red
  3 p blue
  9 p lilac

 

1940 Australian armed forces

  1 p green
  2 p red
  3 p blue
  6 p lilac

 

1945 Royal visit

  2 1/2 p red
  3 1/2 p blue
  5 1/2 p grey

 

1946 Inscription 'PEACE 1945', various designs

  2 1/2 p red )star_
  3 1/2 p bolue (flag with dove)
  5 1/2 p green (angel)

 

Some permanent stamps of Australia were overprinted 'B.C.O.F. JAPAN 1946' (military stamps for Japan)

 

1946 Centenary of Mitchell's exploration of Central Queensland

  2 1/2 p red
  3 1/2 p blue
  1 Sh green

 

1947 Newcastle issue, various designs

  2 1/2 p lilac
  3 1/2 p blue
  5 1/2 p green

 

1947 Wedding of Princess Elizabeth

  1 p lilac

 

1948 Various designs

1 Pound blue
1948 issue, arms; the following values were issued: 5 Sh red, 10 Sh lilac, 1 Pound blue and 2 Pounds green

  8 1/2 p brown (Aborigine, 1950)
  1 Sh 3 p brown (bull)
  1 Sh 6 p brown (globe and Mercury)
  2 Sh brown (Aboriginal art, crocodile)
  5 Sh red (arms)
  10 Sh lilac (design as 5 Sh)
  1 Pound blue (design as 5 Sh)
  2 Pounds green (design as 5 Sh)

 

1948 William J. Farrer, wheat researcher

  2 1/2 p red

 

1948 Ferdinand von Mueller

  2 1/2 p red

 

1948 Scouting Jamboree

  2 1/2 p blue (inscription 1948-49)
  3 1/2 p lilac (inscription 1952-53)

 

1949 Henry Lawson

  3 1/2 p blue

 

1949 UPU anniversary, man on horse with airplane

  3 1/2 p blue

 

1949 John Forrest

  2 1/2 p red

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer