Australian PictorMarks

New APTA policy a step in the right direction

2012-02-29T10:50:00.000+11:00

APTA President Michael Eastick has announced a new policy adopted by his organisation:

APTA Cover Creation Policy.

The APTA Executive Committee would like to announce the following policy decision for any members wishing to be involved in the creation of Commemorative or First Day Covers or similar.

While we applaud the initiative of any member in the creation of philatelic product to fit a market, there are certain very simple guidelines that need to be followed so as not to cause damage to this particular market for all involved.

Due to the time frame in getting covers serviced by Australia Post and other issuing bodies it is a requirement that

1) any covers that have additional cachets or markings applied 6 months after the servicing must have an additional marking, logo or other such indicator applied.

2) that this additional marking or logo have a suitable description placed on any advertising medium used to sell these items, indicated that this has occurred.

There are some in the industry who say this doesn't go far enough. Some people who produce special cachets and do it simply as a hobby without trying to con the innocent would have their excellent work ruined if the requirement to put details of changes in 14pt font on the front of the cover were enforced. Perhaps 9pt would suffice. After all, the majority shouldn't be made to suffer because of a dishonest few.

Whatever wording is ultimately decided upon, it's a great first step and an outstanding move in stamping out the practices I have been moaning about for some years now.

All that has to be done now is for Australia Post and APTA to take a similar stance on postmarks. While this practice isn't as obvious or widespread as it used to be, it would still be useful for this area of philately cleaned up.

Kevvy Koala, Kousins Ken & Keith and the rest of the Klan

2012-02-28T18:49:00.000+11:00

It was 5 October 1984 that Kevvy Koala first made his appearance for Australia at Stuttgart. Very simple, unpretentious, rather cute; a simple tree-hugging koala that most of us have seen in the wild at least once.

Prior to this, the Postmaster General often acknowledged international philatelic exhibitions, and the very first one in Australia occurred in 1928 when this very modest postmark with a moveable date was used:

Why do I emphasise 'moveable date'? Well, since 1928 on all the 'international' postmarks I've seen, there's a date range which effectively makes them a cachet by any other name. The fact that they are used to cancel stamps means they are in fact postmarks!

As an aside, if you wanted to present proof of the signing of a contract for instance, would you date it 21-29 May 1983? It would be the 21st, or the 22nd, or the 23rd or the 24th or the 25th or the 26th or the 27th or the 28th or the 29th. Not all of them. But that's a whole 'nuther argument!

By the 1980s, Australia Post often had postmarks at international exhibitions:

Many were used at exhibitions in Germany, and the Sydney Opera House was subject of one such event from 26-31 May 1985. A very rare kookaburra appeared at Hamburg in Germany that same year (kookaburras have only ever been featured in postmarks around 10 times since 1879!):

At another German exhibition in 1985, a kangaroo and a penguin got a run:

And so it went. Koalas and penguins often featured along with the odd kangaroo. Consider 1986:

It was very rare for notifications of upcoming international postmarks to be given in the Stamp Bulletin, but this changed by the mid 1990s. In the early 1990s however, Australia Post settled pretty much on Kevvy and his mates to represent us, although there were a number of interesting variations:

Then Australia Post hit upon a single graphic that required only a change of words:

So no matter where it was in the world, we could rely on Kevvy, Keith, Karl, Ken, Kyle or whoever, to represent us:

You get the idea. Whenever a notice of an international exhibition appeared in a Stamp Bulletin, Australia Post usually overprinted a current miniature sheet with details of the event and an appropriately worded variation of the postmarks above was put to good use. Even if the postmark wasn't mentioned specifically in the notice, regular collectors knew that the postmark would be available through the 'Bureau' and automatically asked for it on the cover of their choice, and indeed, the stamp of their choice.

I once asked Amber McDougall, at the time Manager, Philatelic Group, why other uniquely Australian animal icons weren't used, and the reply was to the effect that long queues formed for the koala postmarks, which were "much loved" and considered highly collectable. Apparently, there was no good reason to change.

So what happened in November 2011?

The advertisement for the MSs appeared on p.14 of Stamp Bulletin No. 313. "27th China Stamp Exhibition minisheet set". There was no mention of a postmark, but as I said, regular collectors would have seen that, presumed Kevvy or one of his mates would make an appearance and request it. I certainly did, and duly received two covers showing Kevvy.

Unbeknown to nearly everyone else it seems (except those who attended the event in China!), a further three postmarks were made and used:

Why after more than 20 years of exclusivity, have Australia Post departed from what has become "the norm" and produced different postmark/cachets (all have a date range)? Mind you, I'm not complaining ... I'm absolutely delighted that more graphic designs are being used. I've been moaning and groaning for years about boring Kevvy and his mates, as regular users of Australian PictorMarks will know. I've often wondered why it was so difficult to come up with something new and fresh. And they have! Woo hoo!

But why weren't we told?

Well, now we know what they look like. All we're waiting on is Australia Post to tell us how we can get them. I've been told they "will place information online for collectors".

Meanwhile we'll wait. Hopefully, this will be the start of a new era of interesting postmarks featuring more collectable Aussie icons that lend themselves to this wonderful hobby of ours.

As a matter of interest, over and above those covers with two of the four postmarks offered for sale on eBay recently (and presumably, that seller may have been present in China to know about them?!), has anyone else got these? I'd love to see what covers you have them on and how well they've come up.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the Australia Post website for more information.

Ever heard about the Left Hand and the Right Hand?

2012-02-24T17:09:00.003+11:00

If neither knows what the other’s doing, problems arise. And that’s exactly what’s happened in this case.

On this occasion, the information that was given to me was clearly wrong. I acted in good faith based on that information and apologise unreservedly to those people directly affected by the error … and that includes APTA who were very quick indeed to respond to my complaint.

It was easy to believe that the seller involved on this occasion could have been doing something naughty as it has happened in the past (see http://www.ozpictormarks.com/fakes.html "Cashing in on AAT's popularity? Surely not!" from 2009; "What about the Aussie Tennis Open coming up? Anything there?" in 2008 and "Is this Sydney Harbour Bridge pictorial postmark genuine?" from 2007).

My Australia Post source has “profoundly apologised” to me but the information given to them was also wrong and they also acted in good faith. What was it I was saying about “left hand”/ “right hand”?

And what is the upshot of all of this? Well, apart from consuming a large slice of humble pie (a moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips!), I will know by next Tuesday whether in fact there were not just three, but in fact four postmarks used at the China Stamp Exhibition. Whether it is three (koala, penguin, bird) or four (k+p+b+crab), Australia Post have assured me that the opportunity will be given to collectors of all things pictorially or commemoratively postmarked to obtain all three (or four) postmarks through mail order.

As soon as I’m advised, I will post on my blog, Stampboards and send a newsletter to all my subscribers. I also apologise for not addressing this sooner, but have been out since 10 a.m. attending to some important personal business.

I will also do a bit more research and let you know about Kevvy Koala and his Kousins ... and how it is so unbelievable that there would have been anything more than Kevvy on this okkasion!

Sigh.

Great postmarks for Canberra Stampshow 2012

2012-02-23T20:25:00.000+11:00

I make no apologies for being one-eyed. If it involves a pictorial and/or commemorative postmark, my ears prick up and I can't wait to see it!

The Canberra Philatelic Society usually do a great job of designing postmarks to go with their souvenir covers whenever they hold their events, and 2012 is no exception. There's two special reasons to celebrate this year:

The 100th Anniversary of Mawson's 1911-1912 AAT Expeditions and the first postmark is based on that very well known image of Sir Douglas Mawson that has also been used on our $100 note.

It is the 80th Anniversary of the Society which was first formed way back in 1932 when some of you were still babes in arms or in knickerbockers (they were still around in 1932, weren't they?).

The other two postmarks are just as spectacular and are self-explanatory.

Good on you Canberra PS! You've given us some excellent thematic postmarks to collect for 2012.

By the way, for those of you who want to turn up with your own covers for postmarking, please bear in mind that Australia Post will be there only between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

If, like me, you can't make it to the event, have a look at:

http://www.canberrastamps.org/Souvenirs.htm

which will give you the details of the souvenirs available (downloadable PDF etc.) and an address to write to. At least one item is sold out, and others are likely to go just as quickly.

I thought we'd moved beyond this!

2012-02-23T19:30:00.001+11:00

Here it is ... 2012. I've ranted, raved and carried on a fair bit in recent years about fraudulent / bogus / deceptive / practices and chicanery involving fake postmarks. I'm sick to death of people who want to make a quick buck out of unsuspecting people (especially new collectors) by putting something "pretty" together and passing it off as genuine. What am I talking about? Have a look at these:

If you were a collector who'd been around for a while, you'd be forgiven for thinking Australia Post had finally given my mate Kevvy Koala a bit of a rest and reverted to the practice of featuring the AAT and other Australian Territories in postmarks for International Exhibitions. Nuh uh. Hasn't happened, no such luck. Here's the "real deal", with Kevvy centre stage, for this particular event:

And before anyone gets too excited, I can quote Australia Post saying: "... not official by any stretch of the imagination.".

On cover, they look pretty good:

But they're bogus! The Kangaroo and the Koala covers were offered on eBay. If you want to have a look at them on that website, here's the links:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2011Australia-CHINA-WCS-EXHIBITION-KANGAROO-CoverWCS20-/150758472009?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319e7b949

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2011Australia-CHINA-WCS-EXHIBITION-KOALA-CoverWCS20-/150758472069?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319e7b985

If need be, do a cut and paste to see them in all their glory. While they are no longer there, here's some of the details:

Thank goodness only one of each was sold (and the details were the same for both). And if you are that buyer, ask for your money back!

I'm seriously having difficulty coming to grips with the absolute gall, the sheer effrontery of the perpetrator thinking in this day and age that he or she can get away with it.

Australia Post also need to get their act together by having the Act of Parliament that governs all things postal by adding two simple words ... and postmarks ... wherever the nefarious use of stamps is mentioned, including all those bits that talk about pecuniary and penal punishment for infringement.

Someone needs to man up.

A Souvenir Cover and postmark for Blackburn ... it missed the "Stamp Bulletin"!

2012-02-21T16:23:00.000+11:00

I had the absolute pleasure of attending Blackburn Missionary Stamp Club's 40th Anniversary celebrations last week. It's the first time I've attended any of their functions (they have regular stamp sales on loaction at the Uniting Church at the corner of Blackburn Road and Burwood Highway in Blackburn) and was made to feel very welcome indeed. Their mini-auction was a lot of fun!

What was particularly pleasing is the fact that they went to the trouble of designing a special souvenir cover and getting a special commemorative postmark for the event. Of the 500 covers printed, only 200 of them were numbered, and those lucky people there on the night were able to have them signed by designer Lynley Eavis ... and they were selling like hot cakes! The Bell Minah or Bell Miner (Manorina melanophrys), a honeyeater indigenous to the area and adopted as the logo for the Club when it first began, features in both the cachet and pictorially commemorative postmark.

For those of you in Melbourne, there is a stamp sale at the location mentioned above next Saturday, and Ms Eavis will be on hand to sign covers.

If you can't make it to that event, you will be able to purchase one (or more) by mail, if you write to the Blackburn Missionary Stamp Club at PO Box 51, Forest Hill Vic 3131. Obviously, include all your details for return as well as indicating whether you want the covers numbered or unnumbered. Cheques should be made to the Club.

Numbered covers are $5 each; un-numbered are $3.50 and you should add $2 for postage and handling.

The ethos of this Club is superb. I actually feel privileged that I'm guest speaker at their September 2012 meeting!

As indicated, this event didn't make it into the Stamp Bulletin, but you can't say you haven't been told!

Brisbane GPO and Buderim 4556 postmarks

2012-02-20T14:58:00.000+11:00

In an astonishing turnabout, we have plenty of notice for the replacement postmark for Brisbane GPO and the sesquicentenary of Buderim 4556.

The first day of use for both of these postmarks is ... wait for it ... 19 July 2012!

You heard it here first folks! I'll let you know if I hear anything about special covers, etc.

Postmark for Nundle ...

2012-02-16T10:51:00.002+11:00

For those of you wondering, the first day of use for this postmark at Nundle in NSW is 2 April 2012.

With the discovery of more gold recently in Ballarat, and the renewal of some gold-themed postmarks in Victoria last year, this is obviously still very popular subject matter. And at AU$1616 or so per ounce (as of 16 February ... pure coincidence about the numbers - honest!), why wouldn't it be!

Incidentally, those of you missing the Dingo Qld postmark from last year, please contact me with your details and I will reply directly to you.

Your help is needed ... 2011 pictorially commemorative postmarks

2012-01-21T16:44:00.002+11:00

There have been a number of collectors who have contacted me with concerns about the lack of response from some Australia Post outlets with regard to pictorially commemorative postmarks. Some have missed the odd one for some reason or another and we've managed to sort it out.

However, there are some that have created more of a problem, and oddly enough, the worst "offenders" are the series that won the Favourite Australian stamp issue for 2011 ... Australian Bush Babies.

There was absolutely no problem receiving postmarks from:

Merrigum Vic 3618 (1 July 2011)
Ferntree Gully Vic 3156 (4 October 2011)
Kangaroo Flat Vic 3555 (2 November 2011).

Charleville Qld 4470 on 6 September 2011 was a little tardy, although they finally came through.

A number of us are still waiting for Dingo Qld 4702 which was the second one issued (2 August 2011). I have personally contacted the Licensee by phone on an least four occasions and have made two email submissions to Australia Post requesting follow-up.

Why all the fuss? you ask. Well, there are many collectors who like to get these type of postmarks as hand cancels from the source. If Australia Post didn't want that to happen, they wouldn't supply the physical postmarkers in the first place, surely! The whole point of this is that it is a set of five. Not four. Nor three. FIVE. My information is that most of us are currently sitting on a set of four. Useless.

You may also wonder why we bother to get copies from both the National Philatelic Bureau and the location of issue. Well, it's half the fun of collecting. Look at this as just one of many examples:

Amazing the difference four straight black lines make! It's astonishing how often this (or something like it) happens.

How can you help? If you are missing any postmarks from last year, please let me know by contacting me here or by leaving a post.

I hasten to add that most postal outlets take pride in providing neat, clear, well-inked postmarks and it's obvious they're either very experienced, or are taking particular care. Those who don't give a rats bring the rest down, because they're the ones who are remembered.

I'm happy to take up the cudgels, but your input will be greatly appreciated.

Super quick HNY!!

2012-01-02T19:52:00.000+11:00

No doubt you will all have sent away for your “Wild Dayz” 15th Australian Venture to Carrick, Tas 7291, opening Tuesday, 3 January and available until 14 January 2012.

You will also need to write away for the new Year of the Dragon postmarks, not only to Christmas Island with the national FDI postmarker on 10 January, but to Cabramatta 2166, Haymarket 2000 and Bourke Street 3000 (make sure you send the latter to 111 Bourke Street, Melbourne!).

I'll get back to you about the Australian Open Tennis too, with news about the seasonal postmark which is over and above the two PNCs being issued (see below). In 2010 there were problems as Melbourne GPO had lost their copy(ies) of the postmarker and all ended up being executed at the National Philatelic Bureau.

Here's hoping 2012 will be everything you want it to be ... and I mean in every area of your lives, not just marcophily or philately!

A first for me ...

2011-12-16T18:49:00.000+11:00

Regular followers of this blog will be surprised by this. Sometimes though, a body simply has to say something, especially when they feel strongly about a matter.

There’s a software program I’ve been using for nearly two years. I have come to depend on it, but I didn’t realise exactly how much until my recently purchased laptop threw a hissy fit and refused to work without one of those horrible rebuilds. You know the ones ... your data is saved but you have to reinstall all the programs, re-set up the network, spend hours tweaking everything back to the way you had it, even down to personalising the desktop, etc. etc. etc. ad nauseam.

So, what’s this wondrous program? A little thing called “SimpleSYN”. This bit of magic synchronises my Outlook Calendar, Contacts and Notes (the only things I want synchronised) between my desktop computer (lovingly named ‘Bertha’ through umpteen incarnations over the years), the laptop computer and my phone (an HTC Diamond Touch 2). When I alter something on one computer in any part of Outlook that I’ve nominated, it almost instantly changes on the other, and immediately changes my phone when I connect it. I love this program.

In the most recent debacle, there was something going wrong that I simply couldn’t get working again with SimpleSYN. I knew it wouldn’t be the program, because it had been singing along sweetly before The Crash. The program comes out of Germany and I contacted their support people. From afar, in about 125 seconds (give or take a few) the problem was fixed and serendipitous synchronicity was restored.

I rarely, if ever, endorse anything. Read the fine print on the SimpleSYN website , but if your computer setup is supported, you can’t go past this one.

And yes, if you have a look at the website, that is me from Diamond Creek in Australia, only I’ve now upgraded to Outlook 2010 and it still works an absolute treat!

This is a FIRST ... all the way back to 1879!

2011-12-07T23:06:00.000+11:00

Given that I've been working fairly closely on Edition 2 of Australian PictorMarks, I think I can say the following with a degree if confidence.

The red foil postmark showing 11:00 a.m. on 11.11.11 as used by Australia Post on 1111 Remembrance Day PNCs is the first and only fixed date, machine cancelled, pictorially commemorative postmark to bear the time.

And here's the proof that there's only 1111 copies:

Ordinary circular date cancels often bore the time, as did a number of machine cancels, with or without 'slogans'. Some memorable ones include the postmarks used at the various locations on the Sydney Harbour Bridge when it opened it 1932. There have of course been others to include the time, and even the odd (very odd) pictorial postmark has shown the time.

But this postmark's unique. Each of the numbered covers are equally unique, and yes, that's almost an oxymoron.

Amazing.

Did you get this one? No year in a postmark a bit of a rarity ...

2011-12-03T14:28:00.000+11:00

I guess that's what happens when things are rushed ... and someone doesn't "proof" properly. Of course, once the FDCs and maximum cards are printed and distributed Australia-wide, it's impossible to recall.

What's equally astonishing is the length of time it takes some people to twig to the fact that the year is missing! Your brain believes it should be there, hence it "sees" it. I thought maybe they would have corrected the hand canceller, but not so ... it also is missing the date!

It's a good one for the "Errors in postmarks" list that's going in Edition 2 of Australian PictorMarks ... some people specialise, and heaven knows there's been enough of them over the years to make such a category interesting.

Bullarto? Where do I send for those postmarks??

2011-12-03T14:20:00.002+11:00

You can be forgiven for thinking that there's no such place (postally speaking), but the truth is that the postmark is held at the LPO in Daylesford Vic 3460. This replacement postmark will be released on 7 December 2011 and is a lovely thematic if you're into trains:

And this is definitely simply a replacement ... there is no change to the design I can discern at all. It'll be just a change of date rollers so the font itself may be a bit different, otherwise, no extra twigs, branches, leaves, clouds, signals or anything else I can see.

Captain's Cards ... and other matters!

2011-10-26T16:10:00.002+11:00

If you have a look at p.13 of Stamp Bulletin No.313, you'll see there's a "new collectable" being introduced ... eight "miniature maxicards" (surely an oxymoron in its own right!). If you look at p.27 of that same Bulletin, you'll see an introduction date of 4 October and the eight locations that will be recorded on the postmarks.

Advice received from National Philatelic Group is that the postmarkers for these items will not be available at the locations listed, but through mail order only.

The same applies to the three prestige FDCs advertised on pp.18 and 27 of Stamp Bulletin No.313 ("Fromelles - A Letter to Etty"; "Navy - From the office of the Commodore" and "RAAF - Your Loving Son Clem"), all of which will have a machine cancel showing the location as Canberra ACT 2600.

Finally, I am advised that the NSW Justices PPE shown on p.14 of the same Bulletin does not have a specifically designed national FDI postmark.

Make sure you have a look at the two posts below for more information about soon to be released postmarks.

Tawonga South 3698 postmark

2011-10-26T15:58:00.000+11:00

The date for the Tawonga South replacement postmark is 1 November 2011 (and no, it's not a public holiday in country Victoria for the Melbourne Cup ... just the metro area!).

While this is billed as a replacement, it'll be interesting to see how different it is to this one first introduced on 2 June 1997:

Last of Bush Babies postmarks on 2 November 2011

2011-10-26T15:52:00.000+11:00

Hello one and all ... sorry I haven't been around for a while. I took a short break and came home to just a little bit of surgery that will take some weeks to get over.

But the postmarks must go on!!

The last one in this series is a bit of a cutie, and you'll get all the details you need by looking here:

A special WA anniversary celebrated ...

2011-09-16T11:31:00.000+10:00

This one says it all ... as soon as I have details of where you can send to for this (over and above the Rockinham PO), I'll add the info here.

Guess who designed it (see SRSS entry below for answer!).

Swan River Stamp Show 2011

2011-09-16T10:10:00.003+10:00

In keeping with the Mythical Creatures stamp issue coming up on 4 October, the Swan River Stamp Show's pictorially commemorative postmarks (designed by the wonderfully inventive Jeff and Yvette Trinidad) will have a mythical theme. It's unusual to get postmarks in this category, so for those of you who collect these, away you go ...

The organisers of this year's Stamp Show have a number of souvenirs available. You can contact them at:

Glen Stafford
SRSS 11 Souvenir Manager
P.O. Box 1285 Mandurah, WA 6210

We're getting on in years! Melbourne's 175th ...

2011-08-31T17:50:00.000+10:00

On 30 September, a commemorative pictorial postmark will be used at Melbourne's GPO for the 175th Anniversary of the Foundation of the District of Port Phillip (1836 - 2011), and it's a superb sailing thematic.

Over to you ...

The missing dates for intro of permanent pictorials, Stamp Bulletin 312!

2011-08-22T17:10:00.002+10:00

Sometimes, things aren't all that simple. At p.24 of the latest Stamp Bulletin, a number of "new" permanent pictorials are listed. Why "new"? Well, some of them are replacements and are the same design; another is a replacement with a different design and yet another is in fact brand new! Here we go, in date order:

Warracknabeal LPO ... 1 September 2011

This is a brand new (and rather cute) design, and yes, it is the same date as the commemorative pictorial for Warrack's 150th of Postal Services. Apparently, the current Licensee is very interested in postmarks, for which we all say "hooray"! It's not often you see a sheep looking a little bemused ...

Castlemaine PO ... 2 September 2011

This one looks to be a simple update of date slug, given that its predecessor was first used on 2 October 2001! Design unchanged.

Beechworth LPO ... 5 September 2011

This is, in fact a new design with a similar theme. Well, the panning dish, pick and shovel are still there, but the monument is gone. A circular shape instead of a roughly rectangular one.

Eltham PO ... 14 September 2011

The copper butterfly, which is indigenous to the area, is still featured but not as prominently as that first introduced on 10 April 1997. So technically, a brand new design.

Noorat LPO ... 16 September 2011

This one also looks to be a simple update with a simple design change which is now circular rather than oval and the wording about Alan Marshall is around the outside of the circle rather than underneath.

. . . and finally . . .

Oxley LPO ... 26 September 2011

Another where the theme is unchanged but the design is slightly different. The bottle of wine is no longer there (social consciousness?) but bread, cheese a glass (of red?) and the wine grapes still feature.

Hit those keyboards folks ...

Australian Bush Babies ... those PNCs!

2011-08-17T14:48:00.009+10:00

For those of you wondering what's going on with these because you haven't heard anything, rest easy! A "small glitch" has been fixed and requests should start being filled fairly soon. There are five in the series (I'm avoiding the temptation to say anything cynical!) and here's a listing for the all locations and dates:

Greenbushes WA 6254 on 1 July (Full stamp issue)

Merrigum Vic 3618 on 1 July (Koala)
Dingo Qld 4702 on 2 August (Dingo ... what else?!)
Charleville Qld 4470 on 6 September (Bilby) and
Ferntree Gully Vic 3156 on 4 October (Glider)
Kangaroo Flat Vic 3555 on ? November (Kangaroo).

The first postmark for the full stamp issue featured gum leaves and nuts.

The first PNC postmark depicted a bee. The second is a butterfly. The third is probably a bee and the fourth appears to be a dragon fly!

For those of you concerned about which of the four Ferntree Gully Post Offices to write to, make it the one at:

65 - 67 Station Street, Ferntree Gully Vic 3156

and you won't go wrong!

Queensland Stamp Show 2011

2011-08-13T18:08:00.001+10:00

You have to hand it to Queensland, they usually organise superb commemorative philatelic items for their annual Stampshow (this year on 27 and 28 August). While those items are on the pricey side, the postmarks they have are always interesting. This year is no exception.

The art work shows an interesting 'texture' on both the swan and the kangaroo, and it'll be interesting to see how they translate to the rubberised media.

So, if you want any of the overprinted items (MS, Sheetlets or Booklets) or a limited edition PNCs, you'll need to contact the Queensland Philatelic Council Inc sooner rather than later. They're at:

PO Box 9471, Wynnum Plaza Qld 4178 or

email: qpc-stamps@acenet.net.au

As ever, the ball's in your court. You have been advised ...

Thursday, 18 August 2011, 1:00 p.m.
For those who've had difficulties getting through on the email address above, try ringing on 07 3396 0846. Not sure what's happening, but that is the address on the order form!

Big event coming up in Warracknabeal!

2011-08-12T18:41:00.000+10:00

On 1 September, Warracknabeal will be celebrating 150 years of postal services in that town, so it's fitting that they're celebrating with a pictorially commemorative postmark:

You could just write to the PO, which is at 107 Scott Street, and send your covers for postmarking, or you could contact the Warracknabeal and District Historical Society through Ian Wright at PO Box 134 Warracknabeal 3393 and purchase an unnumbered commemorative cover at $1.50.

If you send a s.a.s.e., there is no p&h charge, otherwise, include an extra $1.50 for p&h. Amazingly, this $1.50 includes an insert that will no doubt have information about the PO in it.

This is a really attractive postmark with a strong postal theme. The wording on the top of the letter box is Post Office / Receiving Pillar.

Cadel Evans postmark ... with SES stamp!

2011-08-12T16:14:00.003+10:00

There's a postmark available to commemorate the Cadel Evans Tour de France victory that we thought you may want to know about:

Do not write to Barwon Heads!!!

The postmarker will be available only through Ocean Grove PO which is at 83 The Terrace, postcode 3226. And for those of you wondering, this is the reason you can't write to Barwon Heads:

BARWON Heads post office was badly damaged by fire this morning following a small explosion.

A CFA Victoria spokesman confirmed a structure fire had destroyed 50 per cent of the property.

Seven fire trucks and 25 firefighters attended the scene after reports of an explosion at 3.45am (AEST).

Firefighters extinguished the blaze by 6.45am.

This is a rare-ish cycling postmark ... working on Edition 2 as I am at the moment, there are very, very few outside of Olympic events.

All over to you. Hit those keyboards folks!

Geepex 80 on today and the rest of this weekend!

2011-08-05T11:16:00.000+10:00

Looking for something to do this weekend? You could do a lot worse than browsing here:

National One Frame Competition & Annual Congress
Of the Victorian Philatelic Council.

Friday 5 - Sunday 7 August 2011

Geelong West Town Hall
153 Pakington St Geelong West

Should be a terrific weekend ... be there or be square!

UPDATE: Limited Edition Paddle Steamer Postcard and Postmark

2011-07-28T17:51:00.000+10:00

Information just received from Australia Post now states that this postmark will be withdrawn on 5 December 2011, not 30 December as previously advertised.

Those of you who like to collect first and last day of use please take note!!

What do Collingwood Football Club and the Ringwood & Hungarian PSs have in common?

2011-07-17T16:01:00.000+10:00

Well, probably not much except that some members of the Philatelic Societies could be Collingwood barrackers. However, they do all appear on p.692 of Edition 1 of Australian PictorMarks for reasons important to each of them!

It may be immediately obvious that I'm up to 1992 in Edition 2 with less than 20 years to go, but 112 down! Woo hoo.

The Ringwood Philatelic Society celebrated their formation in 1952 (i.e. their 40th anniversary) with this postmark:

and the Hungarian Philatelic Society celebrated their 25th Anniversary (1967) on the same day.

Those of you following Edition 2's progress know that I'm working to make the entries interesting because so many of these postmarks are stunning and deserve to be recorded properly. The fact that they're authorised in the first place indicates something meaningful about a place, event or "thing"!

So, any help regarding the history of Ringwood PS and the Hungarian PS would be appreciated (i.e. first President, first Secretary, any interesting stories about their first meeting), over and above the fact that both Societies are still going strong in 2011 that is! I probably need no more than 150-200 words but those words can be the difference between deadly dull and boring and, well, according things their rightful place in history!

Mind you, on the very same page as the Ringwood and Hungarian Philatelic Societies, there's also a Centenary recorded that some of you may be interested in:

and a new permanent pictorial for the same location:

with a special cachet for an event which also took place yesterday :

So, I have all the information I need for the entries on Collingwood, but any help with Ringwood Philatelic Society and the Hungarian Philatelic Society will be gratefully received!

Tom Price (WA 6731) Discovery dates wrong!

2011-07-11T17:44:00.000+10:00

For those of you keen to get the right dates for this event, the dates shown in the Stamp Bulletin were 3-31 of July and in fact that's wrong. Try 3-13 July, so if you don't want to miss out, hit those keyboards and / or biros now! The people at Tom Price would hate to disappoint collectors as the postmark will be withdrawn on the correct date. I understand a small leeway will be given in view of this notice.

Also note ... the postcode as shown in the Bulletin should be 6751, not 6757 as shown.

If you want to have a look at the postmark, try here.

Sigh.

Limited Edition Paddle Steamer Postcard and Postmark

2011-07-08T19:21:00.000+10:00

The PS Pevensey turned 100 this year, and to celebrate, people got together, designed a unique Pevensey postcard and with Australia Post, have designed a commemorative postmark that will be used between 5 July and 30 December (see graphics below).

A special very limited edition of 320 total SSS featuring the PS Pevensey in the tab have been made. Of these, 200 have been attached to the postcard and postmarked the first day of use of the postmark and put aside for collectors.

They are available on a first-come-first-served basis at $5.00 per postmarked postcard (p&h included). You will need to hop on the bandwagon quickly and write to:

    Echuca Paddlesteamers
    52 Murray Esplanade
    Echuca Vic 3564

If you are interested in paddle steamers as a thematic, this is a rare opportunity indeed to acquire one in a very limited edition indeed. To read more about the PS Pevensey, click here.

ONJ Cancer & Wellness Centre Appeal ... not happening!

2011-06-24T14:35:00.000+10:00

Bit of a mistake in the latest Stamp Bulletin (No.311 at p.24). The event advertised for 25 August 2011 at Heidelberg will not in fact be happening. Well, anything connected with philately and that location won't be happening. No postmarks either.

Got it? G-o-o-o-d.

Help needed on 'Club 200' postmarks and covers from 1988

2011-06-12T16:01:00.000+10:00

Club 200 was something dreamt up during our Bicentennial year and a this is the entry proposed for Edition 2 of Australian PictorMarks (and yes, I'm well into 1988 ... things should go a lot more quickly after that year!). There may be some of you who have a full set (and I think they should be valued at much more than $250 these days, given that only 350 were postmarked) and can confirm this for me. The two on 17 April for the Steamfest in WA may throw a few people as only one of them was listed previously, but I have a copy of the second one in my possession.

Anyway, if you can give me either a thumbs up or a correction, I'd be ever so grateful. Thanks in advance ...

‘Club 200’ covers and postmarks
Although 1000 of each of the covers described above was produced and a total of 42 covers forms the complete set, only 350 sets were cancelled. Value of sets can only be gauged on the availability, but $250 would be a fair estimate. Most postmarks were reduced in size from the original, and both ‘permanent use’ and ‘commemorative’ cancels were used. Cross-references with the original are shown where necessary. It was discovered in 1994 that some postmarks were used on other covers, apart from the specified ‘BIC’ logo cover, also that both original and reduced postmarks have appeared on both covers. One example is APM19560 which has appeared on ‘BIC’ logo and ‘Bicentennial Exhibition’ covers (stamp areas shown at right). Also, in late 1995, advice was received that private covers were also cancelled with many of the ‘Club 200’ postmarks. Under these circumstances, it is obvious that many postmarks will surface on other types of covers and could be valued at $15 each.
Australia Post themselves stated that ‘The service was established to provide philatelic recognition for the many worthwhile organisations whose requests for commemorative stamps and pre-stamped envelopes had to be rejected due to heavy commitments in this Bicentennial year. Although Australia Post is assisting approved applicants with the design and production of 200 Club overprints, the resulting products are categorised as private overprints and are therefore not sold directly by Australia Post.’

Cover details as follows :
1. ☐ 8 February 1988: 14 Commonwealth Universities Congress 7–12 February, featuring a replica of postmark with cancel PO University Crawley WA 6009 (APM19580).

2. ☐ 8 February 1988: Centenary Girls Friendly Society WA Featuring Society logo with cancel ‘PSC. Perth’ (APM9171) size 25 mm.

3. ☐ 18 February 1988: 35 years of first day cover production featuring Postmaster cancelling mail, with cancel ‘Largs North 5016’, in recognition of Postmaster John Gower, originator of Australia Post FDC Service (APM19640).

4. ☐ 22 February 1988: Australian Electoral Commission No 1 featuring queues of voters including women at polling booths, with ‘Canberra Parliament House’ cancel (APM6990).

5. ☐ 29 February 1988: Centenary of Heidelberg School of Art featuring a typical country painting from the School, with ‘Philatelic Sales Melb’ cancel (APM10661) size 25 mm (original 30 mm).

6. ☐ 14 March 1988: 14th World Congress ICFTU. Featuring replica of postmark, with ‘Commemorative ICFTU’ postmark (APM19682) size 30 x 36 mm (original 38 x 45 mm).

7. ☐ 17 March 1988: 15th Anniversary SLSA Helicopter Rescue Service featuring helicopters scanning NSW coastline, serving the Sydney community 1973-1988, with ‘SLSA Emergency Service’ postmark (APM19710) and cachet.

8. ☐ 18 March 1988: Interdominion Pacing Championships 4–18 March featuring a typical race finish of the Fosters Inter-Dominion, with ‘Glebe Paceway’ cancel (APM19721) size 29 x 31 mm (original 35 x 38 mm).

9. ☐ 21 March 1988: 50th Anniversary of Master Mariners Co of Australia featuring a steamship, oil tanker, company badge, superimposed over map of Australia, with ‘Williamstown Vic’ cancel APM15151 size 38 x 32 mm (original 38 x 35 mm).

10. ☐ 5 April 1988: 75th Anniversary Royal Australian Naval College. HMAS Creswell featuring training aircraft, college badge and white ensign, with ‘Huskisson NSW’ cancel (APM17721) size 35 x 29 mm (original 43 x 36 mm).

11. ☐ 14 April 1988: Australian Antarctic Territory … Essen Stamp Exhibition 14–17 April featuring penguin overlooking map of Antarctic Territory and typical sled team in action, with ‘AAT’ postmark used at Exhibition (APM19861) size 35 x 24 mm (original 45 x 31 mm).

12. ☐ 14 April 1988: Australia Post Essen Stamp Exhibition 14–17 April featuring view of City of Essen and ‘hammer and sickle’ logo, with AP cancel used at Exhibition (APM19860) size 30 mm (original 37 mm).

13. ☐ 17 April 1988: Steamfest ’88 featuring steam passenger train in operation, with TPO Perth-Yarloop WA cancel (APM19870). The postmark was originally advertised for 16 April.

14. ☐ 17 April 1988: Steamfest ’88 featuring steam passenger train in operation, with TPO Boyanup-Yarloop WA cancel (APM19871).

15. ☐ 21 April 1988: International Optometric Conference featuring Australian Optometric Association logos (AOA Bicentenary Congress and International Optometric and Optical League Meeting April 1988). with ‘PSC Melbourne’ cancel (APM10661) size 25 mm (original 30 mm).

16. ☐ 22 April 1988: Geraldton WA celebrating city status featuring Geraldton City Coat-of-Arms, with ‘Geraldton’ cancel (APM16771) size 25 mm (original 34 mm).

17. ☐ 30 April 1988: 25th Anniversary of ESA Women International featuring ESA badge, with ‘PSC Brisbane’ cancel (APM18640) size 27 mm.

18. ☐ 1 May 1988: Power House Museum featuring sketch drawing of the Museum, with ‘Broadway NSW’ cancel (APM20080) size 28 x 27 mm (original 34 x 34 mm).

19. ☐ 9 May 1988: 50th Anniversary Australian College of Physicians 8–13 May, featuring ‘The Royal Australian College of Physicians Golden Jubilee Meeting’, with ‘St. James NSW Tower’ cancel (APM16170) size 34 x 29 mm (original 42 x 36 mm).

20. ☐ 18 May 1988: Southern Pacific Regional Conference on Epilepsy featuring a ‘burning candle’, with ‘PSC Brisbane’ cancel (APM18640) size 27 mm.

21. ☐ 22 May 1988: 39th Congress of International Real Estate Federation 22–27 May featuring ‘FIABC ’88’ and Melbourne tall building scene, with ‘Philatelic Sales Melbourne’ cancel (APM10661) size 25 mm (original 30 mm).

22. ☐ 1 June 1988: ‘Finlandia ’88’Stamp Exhibition featuring map of Finland and four old-time sailing vessels, with AP postmark used at Exhibition (APM20210) size 45 x 31 mm.

23. ☐ 21 June 1988: Centenary Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney featuring a drawing of original and new Hospitals with ‘RNS Hospital’ postmark (APM20360) size 27 x 18 mm (original 33 x 23 mm).

24. ☐ 4 July 1988: Centenary of Fairfield Local Government featuring Council seal and early street scene of buildings with ‘Fairfield NSW’ cancel (APM17451) size 32 mm (original 40 mm).

25. ☐ 17 July 1988: 18th ISME International Conference 17–23 July featuring logos of the world ISME and conference logo, with Canberra Parliament House cancel (APM20132) size 32 x 28 mm (original 40 x 34 mm).

26. ☐ 18 July 1988: Rostrum Speak Up Australia 1988 featuring Rostrum logo and ‘The Penguin Club of Australia’, with ‘Telecom Tower’ cancel (APM13351) size 30 mm (original 38 mm).

27. ☐ 30 July 1988: ‘Austamp ’90’ National Philatelic Exhibition Canberra 16–19 March featuring drawing of Parliament House and flagpole, with ‘Parliament House’ cancel (APM20132) size 32 x 28 mm (original 40 x 34 mm).

28. ☐ 30 July 1988: ‘Sydpex ’88’ Bicentenary National Stamp Exhibition Sydney 30 July–7 August featuring family members viewing Stamp Exhibition, with ‘Sydpex ’88’ Opening Day’ cancel (APM20450) size 32 x 22 mm (original 41 x 29 mm).

29. ☐ 30 July 1988: ‘Sydpex ’88’ Bicentenary National Stamp Exhibition Sydney 30 July–7 August, with ‘Sydpex ’88 Logo’ cancel (APM20461) size 28 x 32 mm (original 35 x 42 mm) same feature as above.

30. ☐ 22 August 1988: 26th Congress of International Geographic Union featuring world globe being circled by satellite with computer below and old-time sailing ship (relating the old to the new), with ‘University of Sydney’ cancel (APM17240) size 28 mm (37 mm).

31. ☐ 29 August 1988: 15th International Congress of Psychology 28 August–3 September featuring an ‘explosive’ view of the human mind, with ‘Pyrmont NSW’ cancel (APM20381) 27 x 30 mm (original 33 x 37 mm).

32. ☐ 4 September 1988: 48th Congress of Federated International Pharmaceutique 4–9 September featuring Opera House and Bridge, with ‘Pyrmont NSW’ cancel (APM20381) size 27 x 30 mm (original 33 x 37 mm).

33. ☐ 19 September 1988: 20th Asian Racing Conference featuring horseshoe encompassing a racehorse and Australian flag, with ‘Royal Exchange NSW’ cancel (APM12310).

34. ☐ 26 September 1988: WOCO ’88’ Annual Conference … World Council of Young Men’s Service Clubs 25 September–1 October featuring an ‘image’ of how the Council covers the worlds’ needs of Young Men’s Service Clubs, with ‘PSC Hobart’ cancel (APM10930) size 26 mm.

35. ☐ 4 October 1988: Australian Electoral Commission No 2, 200 years of Australian Electoral History featuring voters, including women, queuing at voting booths, with ‘Canberra Parliament House’ cancel (APM20132) size 32 x 28 mm (original 40 x 34 mm).

36. ☐ 4 October 1988: International Chiropractic Congress 2–9 October featuring a person doing back exercises, with ‘Royal Exchange NSW’ cancel (APM12311) size 30 x 22 mm (original 38 x 28 mm).

37. ☐ 14 October 1988: 3801 Bicentennial Steam Train featuring this famous steam train in progress, with ‘Thirlmere NSW’ cancel (APM17460) size 36 x 28 mm (original 38 x 28 mm).

38. ☐ 20 October 1988: 15th Anniversary Sydney Opera House featuring a high-rise view of the Opera House complex, with ‘Royal Exchange NSW’ cancel (APM12311) size 30 x 22 mm (original 38 x 28 mm).

39. ☐ 22 October 1988: Muscular Dystrophy Week 22–28 October featuring microscope with ‘Fight Muscular Dystrophy’, with ‘Philatelic Sales Perth’ cancel (APM9171) size 25 mm (original 31 mm).

40. ☐ 31 October 1988: Flying Scotsman ‘Aus-Steam 1988’ featuring this famous train in progress, with postmark APM20880 size 30 mm (original 40 mm) plus cachet.

41. ☐ 14 November 1988: 9th CCITT Plenary Assembly ITU 28 November–9 December and featuring ITU logo, with ‘PSC Melb’ cancel (APM10661) size 30 mm.

42. ☐ 20 November 1988: 13th International Diabetes Federation Congress with ‘Pyrmont NSW’ cancel (APM20381) size 27 x 30 mm (original 33 x 37 mm).

Thanks for any help in advance ...

The PPE that was blessed and became a PSE!

2011-05-30T16:13:00.000+10:00

Stamp Bulletin No. 310 at p.23 advertised a new PPE (pre-paid envelope) to celebrate 100 years of the Northern Territory. You've heard about slips, cups and lips, haven't you? You know, all the betwixt and between stuff.

Well, the PPE is now a PSE (pre-stamped envelope) with a national FDI postmark. Here is what it looks like:

There you go ... hot off the presses. A copy of the postmark is being held in Darwin and here are the Mail Order codes if you need them:

PSE postmarked - 6676144

PSE mint - 6676134

Sheffield, Tasmania 7306 ... the Town of Murals! New postmark.

2011-05-19T13:07:00.000+10:00

Better late than never! You have until Friday, 27 May, to get your requests to this location if you want the postmark on the FDU (7 April 2011). Because it wasn't advertised anywhere, special dispensation has been given for the usual four week 'period of grace' to be extended. Here's an example of it, and I think you'll agree it's a very rare 'artist'/'painting'/brush' thematic (I'm sure many of you will come up with other tags!

Don't say you haven't been told ...

Questions answered

2011-04-25T10:54:00.000+10:00

You probably didn't even know you wanted to ask these questions, but just in case you did, here goes ...

Q.1: The Royal Wedding PNC for issue 4 May 2011 and limited to 2500 bearing the GB £5 coin (p.8 of Stamp Bulletin 210). Will it have an Australian postmark?

A.1: Yes, it will. The coin may be British, but the product is an official Australia Post one. This one is available strictly through mail order.

Q.2: The Centenary of Duntroon PNC, 27 Jun 2011 (p.9, Stamp Bulletin 210). Will I be able to get just the postmark on cover?

A.2: Yes, you will. Canberra ACT 2601 is where you write to.

Q.3: 100 years of the Northern Territory, 30 May 2011 (p.23 Stamp Bulletin 210). Is there a postmark for this?

A.3: There will be no national FDI postmark for this PPE.

So, now you're on top of the news! You haven't heard much from me lately because I'm imitating a lizard drinking (i.e. flat out) and rapidly approaching the end of 1986 in the second edition of Australian PictorMarks.

Two new postmarks that won't get a lot of publicity!!

2011-03-29T12:42:00.000+11:00

You have no doubt heard about the “Lake Eyre” stamp issue being released on 4 April 2011. There are four stamps which include one domestic rate stamp – “The Dry” (60c) and three international rate stamps – “New Growth” ($1.55), “Bird Life” ($2.25) and “In Flood” ($3.10). To obtain hand cancels, you’ll need to write to the Postal Manager at the Marree General Store & PO, Railway Terrace North, Marree SA 5733. Although there's nothing on the Australia Post website yet, the stamps look good, and for those among you with an ornithological bent, you'll really like this postmark:

One you may not get to hear about is for the Australian Postcard Society who are holding their Inaugural Postcard Society Exhibition on 14–15 May 2011 at The Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Ground, King William Road, Adelaide, South Australia. A Souvenir Postcard will be available and can be pre-ordered at a cost of $5.00 each. Orders through the Secretary via email at linda1956@three.com.au. Their postcard postmark is quite novel and very appropriate, and will be appearing on a strictly limited edition item. You will of course be able to get a copy of the postmark through Adelaide GPO Philatelic Sales. Incidentally, if you want to explore the Australian Postcard Society website, just click on that link! Their newsletter is superb.

Hit those keyboards folks!

10 days gone ... 20 to go!

2011-03-18T15:16:00.000+11:00

To get the legally back-dated Goulburn replacement pictorial postmark that is. Because it hadn't been advertised anywhere, Australia Post on this occasion have given special dispensation for the date to be "wound back" ... usually one of the biggest no-nos in philatelic terms (and rightly so).

This one happens to be a nice date ... 11-1-11, even though it's actually ... well, you can see what it is, actually! The clock started ticking on 8 March, so if you want this one - which incidentally is unchanged in design - hit those keyboards now.

Australia Post is in the process of adopting the policy that where there's no change in design of a pictorial postmark, then it won't be advertised. It's really common sense. All of them have to be replaced at some stage, simply because date wheels run out of years. For many collectors, that very change is what spurs them on, because invariably, the font changes, the size of the font changes, and so it goes. For mine, what is most important is the actual design of the postmark, and if that is intrinsically the same, then no dramas. Keeping track of pictorial and commemorative postmarks is one hell of a job as it is. Working on the KISS principle works for me!

Ah, how times change ... or do they?

2011-03-05T21:29:00.004+11:00

Regular readers of this blog know that every so often, I find a nearby high horse, hop on it and decry what I consider to be greedy, grabbing behaviour. You'll find a few examples here and here. Those who know me well know that I'm not terribly backward about coming forward, in spite of my inherent shyness.

The primary reason for this blog was to keep you all abreast of my progress with work on Edition 2 of Australian PictorMarks, but I've digressed occasionally and used it to keep you up-to-date with unnanounced postmarks, etc. While work is progressing, every so often I come across something that just screams at me to be revisited ... now!

This article appeared in the June 1983 issue of Stamp News at p.20:

Bradman & Postmark Policy
“Mr Noel Almeida of Endeavour Hills, Vic., wrote to former Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser seeking the issue of a special postmarker by Australia Post to commemorate the 75th birthday of cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman. Mr Almeida’s letter was referred to the former Minister for Communications and it was then passed on to the new Minister for Communications, Mr Michael Duffy, MP, for reply. Mr Duffy’s reply follows and gives some idea of the new government’s philatelic policy in relation to commemorative postmarkers:

        “Australia Post has advised me that the number of special postmarker facilities issued annually has trebled since 1979, to 180 in 1982. This has caused concern, as it has placed an unreasonable financial burden on philatelists*.
        “Consequently, Australia Post has decided to restrict the type of postmarker facilities provided at its own expense to those associated with new stamp issues, important philatelic and postal matters and opening and anniversaries of major public works. Australia Post does not propose, therefore, to provide a special postmarker to mark Sir Donald Bradman’s 75th birthday.
        “Special postmarkers will continue to be made available for suitable occasions, provided the party requesting the postmarker meets the administrative charge of $350.* Australia Post has indicated that should you or other interested parties wish to pursue this proposal, arrangements with the State Philatelic Officer in its New South Wales administration (address / phone given) would need to be concluded by the end of May 1983.”

* Bold and colour added by me for emphasis.

It is not surprising that the number of postmarks trebled between 1979 and 1982 as Australia Post itself generally, and its Tasmanian outlets particularly, turned the category of permanent pictorial postmarks (pppm) into a cottage industry. By the end of 1982, just about every single Australia Post outlet in Tassie had its own pppm, and in fact had withdrawn and reissued many of them simply because they were ridiculously large in the first place! So much for 'concern (about the) unreasonable financial burden on philatelists'. And that's not taking into account all the other pppms that were issued on the mainland.

But wait, there's more!

What can now be revealed is that philatelic cricket specialist David Kirby of ‘Strand Stamps’ was approached by Noel Almeida about the project. At the time, the $350 'administrative charge' was more than the average weekly salary of $324. Kirby paid for the postmark but a receipt reveals he was actually charged $385 for the postmark.

Words such as exorbitant, extortionate, outrageous, unconscionable spring to mind, and I thought perhaps I should tone it down and stick to a bit steep, or over the top. Maybe I should just leave it to you to make up your own mind how you regard this.

Anyway, there's even more!

David Kirby was also required to pay a further $45 to hire the foyer area of the Cootamundra Shire Offices so Australia Post could set up their Post Office area! That amount was paid by Mr Kirby to Mr Don Pollard, Cootamundra Shire Clerk, on 4 August 1983.

One can't help but wonder what the Minister-In-Charge-Of-All-Things-Postal would say in this day and age. Indeed, how concerned is Australia Post itself these days about an unreasonable financial burden on philatelists when it brings out a stamp issue. Over and above commemorative postmarks and permanent pictorial postmarks, a single stamp issue often involves several of the following categories:

National First Day of Issue (First Day Covers)
National First Day of Issue (Maximum Cards)
Postal Numismatic Covers (PNCs)
Postal Medallion Covers (PMCs)
Prestige First Day Covers (PFCs)

and that's without ordinary booklets, prestige booklets, sheetlets, gutter (10) with or without design, peel 'n' stick, gummed, SES sheets, PPEs (domestic and/or international), aerogrammes, PSEs, stamp packs, rolls, chequebooks and collector packs. Have I missed anything? Oh yes, whoops. Miniature Sheets. With or without overprint.

Now of course it's up to people to choose what it is they want to collect. They should only purchase within their means, but for many, many collectors, the proliferation of postal products these days means the hobby is prohibitive and they simply ... give up. A little self-defeating for Australia Post perhaps?

I didn't mean for this to be a diatribe of any sort, but there you go. Sometimes things just take on a life of their own.

There is a happy ending though. For Mr Kirby, way back in 1983, who consulted with Sir Donald about the design of a souvenir cover he produced for that event, even incorporating changes suggested by Sir Donald, the ‘pay-off’ was a 15 year association with ‘The Don’. Good for him!

Look out ... fakes about! 2008 Olympics

2011-03-02T10:33:00.001+11:00

A very sharp-eyed collector found this on the 'net and asked me if the postmark on it was "fake". And no, it wasn't on that major online auction site but a site emanating from Asia. Here's the cover:

This is a good-looking cover ... incredibly "Aus" oriented and it even has a genuine Australia Post stamp. However, when you look closely at the postmark, it simply doesn't stack up. Compare the pair:

There are a number of things that take this fake (the top one) into la-la realms:

The inside circle is solid rather than dotted.
The date is 'American' (i.e. April 24, 2008 rather than 24 April 2008), and
The place name is "Canberra Australia" rather than "Canberra ACT 2600".

I don't know how much the cover was being sold for, but it is absolutely worthless to the true philatelist / marcophilist.

I'm very grateful to the collector for bringing this to my attention, and, as always, caveat emptor!

Those AAT covers ... LDU from the Macquarie Island 2010-2011 PO

2011-02-25T15:18:00.000+11:00

Just thought I'd share these with you. Rather special, huh? If you're into cachets, then here's your chance to get some that are very exclusive indeed. Of course, they will no doubt vary from what you see here, but if you go to Pete's Polar Place and contact Peter Cranwell from there, well, you never know your luck.

Now that the Expedition for 2010-11 is finished, you'll also have the opportunity to acquire some of the other exclusive philatelic keepsakes so sought after by collectors.

Over to you ...

International Air Show, Geelong

2011-02-23T13:14:00.000+11:00

OK ... let's clear this up. The FDU of the postmark advertised on p.21 of Stamp Bulletin 309 was 1 February 2011.

It will also be available at Avalon Airport for the duration of the AirShow, but the 'new date stamp' at the event will in fact be this one. I strongly suspect that the graphic shown on p.21 is the machine cancel that will be used on the PMC (Postal Medallion Cover) shown on p.14 of the same Stamp Bulletin (309). A close look at the graphic actually confirms that.

Now, you can order the PMC through Mail Order (1800 331 794 in Australia; International is +61 3 9887 0033), or perhaps ask your local Postal Manager to get one in for you. Oddly, I can't find the PMC listed on the Order Form, but the code for it is 1676300.

If you can't make it to the AirShow but want covers cancelled with this postmark, you will be able to do so by writing to the Geelong PO at 108 Gheringhap Street, 3220.

Hopefully, that 'covers' everything! (Groan.)

Sydney Stamp Expo 2011

2011-02-18T10:55:00.000+11:00

The exhibition is being held in the Shannon Room at Royal Randwick Racecourse—only 10 minutes—from the city from Thursday 31st March 2011 to Sunday 3rd April 2011.

The theme for the exhibition is “Building Bridges” and relates to the development of lasting friendships and personal associations resulting from an interest in stamp collecting, both at club, exhibition and international level. It also refers to the growing interest in peripheral activities such as history, geography, cultural interests, etc., that derive from stamp collecting.

Of particular interest to marcophilists—especially those with an interest in bridges and other such structures—are the four rather superb postmarks that will be used, one on each of the four Expo days. Here’s a preview:

and here’s where you can order your postmarked souvenir covers. Don’t miss out! And while I don’t know for sure, I strongly suspect Australia Post staff at QVB will be the custodians of the postmarks.

"Rare"? "RARE"!? It really does make one cross!

2011-02-14T14:53:00.002+11:00

Lot No. 190499077942 on eBay is advertised as follows:

First Day Cover on an unmarked Envelope Has sold For $76 previously on Ebay Had to To be there to get the FDC Handstamp Premier's Flood Relief Appeal Rare GPO Brisbane Cancelled First Day of Issue. This First Day of Issue Handstamp in use for only one day the 27th January 2011. Not available as a FDC by Aust Post Mail Order the only way to obtain this handstamp was make your own FDC and Line up first for the stamps and then re line up for the FDI Handstamp. Full set of 5 on the one cover. I used a Special Occasions Cover as this was the most suitable that the Brisbane GPO had availaible.

I have asked this question of the seller:

I'm in Melbourne and I was able to get this postmark in a variety of configurations dated the FDI. Can you please explain what is so rare about it?
Thanks in anticipation!

I will be very interested indeed in the answer. ... And here it is:

I was one of the few to stand in line twice in GPO Brisbane on the FDI to obtain this item.

I wonder if someone will know that in five year's time and if that will indeed make any difference to the value down the track. I obtained mine from Brisbane and the cancels I have are hand cancels. Just because I didn't "stand in line", does that make them worth less? Up to you to decide.

Centenary of First Motorised Mail - April 2010

2011-02-13T12:49:00.000+11:00

Unbeknown to everyone (including Australia Post's Stamp Bulletin who weren't told), Ilfracombe Qld 4727 and Isisford Qld 4731 celebrated an important centenary last year ... that of the first motorised mail in Australia! The postal managers at both locations went "halvies" in producing a special C6 souvenir cover detailing the event and bearing a photograph of the original truck that did the run (cutting it down from 14 hours to 4 hours). A special P-stamp, also with the truck in the tab, and a pictorially commemorative postmark, completes the cover. The postmarks are dated 1 April 2010 and all the SCs were postmarked that day.

The covers shown below are $3.95 each. There are also some rather superb looking SES sheets left at $15.95 each. You will need to write to both locations.

Because there was virtually no publicity of the covers, the postal managers have a very small supply left, so you'll need to act quickly. Incidentally, the postmark will be available until 31 March 2011 when it will be withdrawn, so if all you want is the postmark, here's your chance!

Saint Mary of the Cross ... the RIGHT address

2011-02-11T10:06:00.000+11:00

A number of you have had your covers returned from Fitzroy PO with a note saying they're "not a philatelic office"! We won't go into a the warranted diatribe about lack of customer service, etc. when the Fitzroy South is in the same suburb, probably not too far away and what would it take for the Fitzroy postal manager to redirect the requests. I'm tempted, but I shall restrain myself. I mean, in the time it took him/her to write:

"I am sorry to inform you that Fitzroy Post Office is not one of the Philatelic Offices. We therefor (sic) do not have the Pictorial Post Mark to comply with your request. I am sorry for any inconvenience caused., Regards, Postal Manager, Fitzroy Post Shop".

... the request could have been redirected! But I won't say anything.

The correct address for this new permanent pictorial is:

The Postal Manager
Post Office
132 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy South Vic 3065

And here's another little anomaly:

Does the postmark say Fitzroy South? It does not. But I won't say anything.

Vandalism on Australia Post stamps ... say what?

2011-02-11T09:53:00.004+11:00

See footnote ...

This is one of those things that drive philatelists around the world absolutely insane. Consider these two examples:

Most people would be pretty happy with the postmarks, but what's with the biro mark through the stamps? Why is that necessary? Does the postal worker think that pictorial postmarks aren't legitimate 'killers' of the stamps?

So what's the story with this one below? Some excellent higher value stamps, with the CDS (circular date stamp) obviously legitimately canceling all three of them ... then scribbled over with biro just to make doubly sure!

The philatelist who sent these samples to me also has a list of suggestions for Australia Post:

1. Clearly mark covers as 'Philatelic' and instruct all staff to never pen cancel such marked covers but only carefully use circular date stamps if stamps are not already cancelled.

2. Provide circular date stamps within easy reach of all staff who handle mail. The use of date stamps should be almost as fast as using a pen. Make pen cancelling unlawful. There will then be a record of when and where such cancelling is carried out.

3. Where staff ruin stamps or earlier applied postmarks then compensation should be paid e.g fixed at twice the face value. A fixed rate would allow any post office to make payment on behalf of Australia Post.

4. More thorough education of staff to ensure collectable philatelic material is not destroyed - anything except current base rate stamps, Also protect attractive covers, nicely applied postmarks and especially pictorial cancels.

5. Create a program of reward for excellence in service for all staff to encourage them to strive to do their work to the highest standards which would include customer contact and the care and postmarking of mail. It has become apparent that often mail is not postmarked at point of receipt by Australia Post and it is left for someone else down the mail route to do their job for them. This is slovenly and shows laziness of those at the point of receipt. This should be deplored and stamped out as it demeans the high standard that Australia Post wishes to engender.

I have no fault to find with machine postmarks but every envelope deserves a correct and distinct postmark from it's point of lodgement.

We've probably got as much chance of notice being taken of this as Egypt has of getting President Mubarak to resign in the next 24 hours.

We can but live in hope.

Footnote: Well, he did it ... he stood down within the 24 hours! Woo hoo!!! Does this mean Australia Post is going to take some action to lift their (philatelic) game?

I repeat: We can but live in hope.

Flood Relief Stamps have special postmark

2011-01-25T15:41:00.003+11:00

And here it is ...

As newsletter subscribers will already know, and as Australia Post have now officially announced, there is a special issue of 10 self-adhesive stamps to be released on 27 January 2011 for the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal.

The 10 x 60c stamps will cost $8.00 and your $2 donation from the sale of this stamp sheetlet will go directly to that Appeal. The official blurb accompanying the release says that :

A $2 donation to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal is tax deductible. Retain panel on sheet as your tax receipt.
The Premier's Flood Relief Appeal is an endorsed DGR on the Register of Cultural Organisations under Subdivision 30-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 for a public fund it operates. The fund's name is the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal. Donations to this fund of $2 or more are tax deductible.

The pictorial postmark consists of the special wording that usually accompanies FDI stamps and some wavy lines above the wording indicative of water. These will be available from Brisbane GPO.

Obviously, you will need to purchase a full sheet of 10 in order to complete the $2 donation, although it could be argued that you are entitled to purchase a single stamp for 80c, but I won't get into that. (Later note: you have to buy the entire sheetlet.) My understanding is that if you write to the GPO, purchase the stamps and have either included some "mint" covers (either GP covers or PSEs), PO staff will affix one or more of the stamps per cover for you and postmark them. I suggest you make your request very clear indeed.

Any questions at all (because of the short timing), please email me here.