Issue: Australia Prime Ministers FDC
Type: official post office cover
Number of Stamps: 4
Stamps Denomination: 7c
Issue Date: 8 March 1972
Issued By: Australian Rock Posters
Australia Prime Ministers
About Australia Prime Ministers FDC
The term “postage stamp Australia Prime Ministers ” refers to a series of postage stamps issued by Australia during the period 1913 to 1929 that featured portraits of the Prime Ministers of the country. These stamps are also known as the “Kangaroo and Map” series due to their design, which featured a kangaroo and a map of Australia.
The series was issued by the Commonwealth of Australia and was one of the first definitive stamp sets to feature the portraits of all the Prime Ministers who had served up until that time. The stamps were designed by the Australian artist Blamire Young, and they were printed by the Commonwealth Stamp Printing Office in Melbourne.
The set was issued in several denominations, ranging from halfpenny to one pound, and each denomination featured the portrait of a different Prime Minister along with a kangaroo and a map of Australia as part of the design. The stamps were issued in various colors and perforations, making them interesting and collectible for philatelists.
The following Prime Ministers were featured on the postage stamp series:
George Reid (1845-1918):
Served as the fourth Prime Minister of Australia from 1904 to 1905.
Alfred Deakin (1856-1919):
Served as the second and fifth Prime Minister of Australia from 1903 to 1904 and again from 1905 to 1908.
Andrew Fisher (1862-1928):
Served as the fifth Prime Minister of Australia in three non-consecutive terms from 1908 to 1909, 1910 to 1913, and 1914 to 1915.
Joseph Cook (1860-1947):
Served as the sixth Prime Minister of Australia from 1913 to 1914.
Billy Hughes (1862-1952):
Served as the seventh Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923.
Stanley Bruce (1883-1967):
Served as the eighth Prime Minister of Australia from 1923 to 1929.
These stamps are not only significant for their portrayal of the early Australian Prime Ministers but also as a representation of Australia’s growing national identity and presence in the world during the early 20th century. They have become collectibles for stamp enthusiasts and are valuable historical artifacts that reflect the political landscape of Australia during that era.
Here are more details about the “postage stamp Australia Prime Ministers ” series in Australia from 1913 to 1929:
Series Design:
The “Kangaroo and Map” series featured a consistent design across all the denominations. The central design of each stamp included a portrait of a Prime Minister surrounded by a kangaroo in the left lower corner and a map of Australia in the right upper corner. The kangaroo and the map were engraved and intricately designed, making the stamps visually appealing.
Issuance Period:
The stamps were issued between 1913 and 1929, and they were part of a definitive series. “Definitive stamps” are regular postage stamps issued over an extended period and typically remain in use for several years, serving as the workhorse of a country’s postal system.
Denominations:
The series comprised a range of denominations to cater to different postage rates. The denominations included halfpenny, one penny, one and a half pence, two pence, two and a half pence, three pence, four pence, five pence, six pence, nine pence, one shilling, two shillings and six pence, five shillings, and one pound. Each denomination featured a different Prime Minister’s portrait.
Notable Prime Ministers:
The series featured the portraits of several significant Prime Ministers who played key roles in shaping Australia’s early history and political landscape, including Alfred Deakin, Andrew Fisher, and Billy Hughes.
Printing Variations:
The stamps were printed using various printing techniques, including typography, recess printing, and photogravure. As a result, there are multiple color and perforation varieties within the series, adding to the interest of collectors.
Philatelic Collectibility:
The “postage stamp Prime Ministers” series is highly sought after by philatelists and stamp collectors worldwide. Collectors often aim to complete the entire set of stamps, including all denominations and variations. Condition, rarity, and historical significance are some of the factors that determine the value of these stamps in the philatelic market.
End of the Series:
The issuance of the “postage stamp Prime Ministers” series continued until 1929. After that, a new definitive series featuring the reigning monarch, King George V, was introduced. The new series marked a significant change in the design of Australian stamps, replacing the portraits of Prime Ministers with a more traditional focus on the monarch.