Australian Stamp Variations

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2 Australian Stamp Variations Details of the main variations in recent stamp issues A Stamp Variation is a different version or format in which a stamp was issued (usually compared with the original single gummed sheet stamp). Variations are produced on purpose. They are not to be confused with Varieties which are unintentional mistakes, flaws or printing errors Summary In 2010 Australia Post issued 593 variations costing about $5300! There were 29 new issues containing 108 designs and 316 new stamps. The face value of the new stamps was $255 but in many instances you had to pay more than face value, particularly for some of the reprints and gold-foiled stamps in the Impressions products. There were 241 new 55c or 60c basic letter rate stamps issued which was, on average, about one every day and a half from Issue 1 in mid-january to the final Impressions product release on 20 th December Variations Statistics : 22 nd Jan 20 th Dec Statistic No. Cost New issues 29 New designs 108 New stamps 316 $ FV Variations 593 $ New 55c/60c stamps 241 Average issue rate of 55c/60c stamps 1 every 33 hours Number of Variations Type Blocks, Strips & Pairs Gutters 12 9 Image Imperforate Minisheets Overprints Perforation 10 0 Self-adhesive Sheetlets Size 9 12 Tabs Specials 40 8 Total The number of variations in 2010 was about the same as The number of perforation variations was zero, which was the first time since There is certainly an opportunity for Australia Post to increase this number by perforating stamps from the one issue with different combs as they did in They have already doubled the image variations in some issues by having two different printers produce the self-adhesive variations. (This has frustrated collectors because the printer is not shown on the outside of the roll box and single mint stamps from each printer are not readily available.) There were 112 collectable stamps released in ( Collectable stamps are cut out imperforate stamps that are not valid for postage.) Many of these were sold at prices well over face value. I have not classified the metal foil stamps as collectables as they could in theory be used for postage. The 2 Melbourne Cup mint foil variations were actually issued on envelopes! (A list of all decimal Collectable Stamps is on my website.) Some unusual variations released in 2010 included the following: The first issue for the year was the Australian Novelists set. It had 140 variations which was the most number of variations of any issue last year. This was because it included a large prestige booklet containing many imperforate stamps and CMYK colour separation stamps with tabs. It also contained 18 black & white stamps Stamp News

3 David Mallen The mint silver and gold foil Melbourne Cup stamps were released attached to envelopes. They could be carefully soaked off to be placed in your album. The gold 60c stamp was the most expensive single stamp variation of the year with a price of $150. The huge Macquarie Bicentenary minisheet released on 26 th November was 270 x 100mm. It contained four 55c stamps. The 5 Melbourne Cup Type 3 Reprints were released in a prestige booklet with printed perforations. Each image contained the 2010 year code. If cut out from the minisheets they became collectable stamps but the whole minisheet could be used for postage except for the one containing the pair of 5d Archer predecimal stamps. The special sheetlet of 4 x 60c semi-imperforate gold-foiled Cup stamps with large tabs on the left released in the 150 th Melbourne Cup presentation folder. The Colonial Heritage Empire $5 Queen Victoria stamp was issued in 3 different formats. The stamp image was different in each variation. The intaglio printed imperforate minisheet stamp cost $15. Full details of every new stamp issue, reprint release and the accompanying variations for 2010 are found on my website. Late News Four new variations have been brought to my attention by readers. Thanks! Debra Collett found that the 60c self-adhesive Kingfisher roll stamp was printed by both McKellar Renown and Pemara. The Pemara variation has a slightly paler Australia. Noela Dodd advised that the there were two 4-koala reprints of the Rainforest Butterflies 10c Blue-banded Eggfly stamp in September (The original was issued on 4 th May 2004 with 14 x 14.4 perf.) The 4K printing by Energi Print has both 14 x 13.6 and 14 x 14.4 perfs and the total height of the koalas in the selvedge is 19mm. A third 4K variation (which should have been a 1 Kangaroo) printed by McKellar Renown has 14 x 14.4 perf with a 22mm total height of the koalas. (I have classified the 14 x 13.6 one as a 2009 perforation variation and updated my website listing.) The eight (Kangaroo & Koala) Type 1 Reprints listed in the latest Stamp Bulletin are not all available yet so I haven t been able to check them for variations. If I find any I shall add them to my website s 2010 Stamp Issues list and update the above statistics. Noel Almeida pointed out that the 50c Baggy Green stamp has been re-released for the third time since its original issue in March It was released on 25 th November 2010 as a printedpostmarked stamp on a PNC envelope together with a recent 60c Wattles stamp. This reprint does not contain a 2010 year code in the image and is identical to the original and 2008 reprint stamps. (I have not classified this as a variation.) Chris De Haer told me that the red 60c Southern Cross stamp in the Americain SSS released in November 2010 is a variation from the original issue of 19th July. It has light grey 60c Australia text and a tab. Who said collecting variations wasn t interesting?! Impressions Continued As mentioned last month, the Impressions variations products began being released in late November and December. The number of Impressions variations for 2010 was 54. They cost $1421 with a face value of $112. The difference Stamp News - 21

4 Australian Stamp Variations Details of the main variations in recent stamp issues is $1309 packaging. I have removed all the stamps and variations and taken a photo of what I have put in the recycle bin. The packaging included a picture frame, numerous wooden and cardboard boxes, small paper certificates, cardboard folders, small plastic stamp boxes, wallets, badges, a pair of white gloves, coins and a $20 polymer note. (I have spent the cash back coins and notes.) This was the last time I shall be throwing $1300 in the rubbish bin see The End below. Details of the Impressions variations: Melbourne Cup presentation folder This expensive limited edition folder was issued on 20 th December. It was the highest loss item at $377. It contained 14 variations (see separate list) and a pair of white gloves! The 20 pages are screwed together for convenience of removal of the 2 sheetlets, 3 minisheets and 7 stamps. Five of the single stamps were the same design as the reprints previously released in the prestige booklet on 1 st November but did not have the 2010 year code and printed perforations, hence were identical with the original stamps. The special sheetlet of 4 x 60c semi-imperforate goldfoiled Cup stamps with large tabs on the left is the most unusual item in the folder. Melbourne Cup FDCs As I suspected the silver and gold stamps are mint no gum. They have been stuck on the envelopes over the top of the silver and gold printed postmarks. The stamps are 2mm wider than the original paper versions and have a 12.9 x 12.7 perforation. Melbourne Cup imperforate half sheet This contained 9 large 165 x 90mm minisheets which is 5mm wider and taller than the original perforated minisheet. The minisheet and the stamps are Collectables and as such are not valid for postage. Commonwealth Coinage imperforate half sheet This contained 10 large embossed 109 x 73mm minisheets which is 3mm wider and taller than the original perforated minisheet. Likewise the minisheets and stamps are Collectables. Commonwealth Coinage wallet The imperforate minisheet was overprinted with the 1910 Coat of Arms in gold. When you cut 22 - Stamp News

5 David Mallen out the stamps only a portion of the overprint remains. I have classified this as an Image variation, not Overprint, as the face value of the stamp has not been changed. Darwin Defenders This larger 154 x 104mm minisheet is 6 mm wider on the left side than the original page 21 from the Australia and War prestige booklet issued on 21st April The background image is blue-grey in colour compared with the sepia original and the text in the top left corner is a different font. The page number is also missing. The 4 Australians Under Fire stamps were originally issued on 19th February The new stamps on this minisheet are Type 3 Reprints as they have the additional 2010 year code in the bottom left corner. Kokoda minisheet The size of the small minisheet is 77 x 63mm. It contains a se-tenant pair of the 55c Wounded Soldiers and Fuzzy Stamp News - 23

6 Australian Stamp Variations Details of the main variations in recent stamp issues Wuzzy Angels & 55c Kokoda Veterans stamps. These were the centre pair from the original strip of 4 sheet stamps issued on 20 th April National Service stamplet The digital printed stamp is quite different from the original. It is paler and the text is not as distinct. The single stamp has a tab on the top and a small selvedge. It is 55 x 55mm. Now we know what a stamplet is! National Service sheetlet Each stamp in this sheetlet of 10 x 60c stamps contained a gold foil logo in the top right corner and a gold serial number in the bottom selvedge. Aeronautical Licence wallet This contained a single pearl-embellished minisheet with a pair of high gloss $1.45 John Duigan stamps from the 9 th March 2010 Centenary of Powered Flight issue. Great Australian Railway Journeys gold foil stamps The 4 gold foil stamps are the same size as the paper originals and are thin enough to put in your album. The perforation of the 55c stamps is 10.2 x 10 and the $2.10 stamp is 9.5 x 9.5. I wonder if they are valid for postage? Emergency Services gutter strip Surprise! Surprise! They were 60c stamps, not 55c ones as illustrated in the catalogue. The pseudo gutter strip contained 5 high gloss embellished stamps (the first, third and fifth stamps along the top and the second and fourth along the bottom) and 5 embellished logos in the gutter. The serial number of the accompanying uncirculated 2008 $20 polymer note was printed on the right selvedge. Macquarie Bicentenary minisheet This $2.20 minisheet is considerably larger than the one issued in the prestige booklet on 16 th February It measures 270 x 100mm. It is probably the largest minisheet ever issued! For more details and images of the 2010 Impressions products visit Stamp News

7 David Mallen Impressions Variations : November & December 2010 : Updated Summary OSD Product Stamp Set Stamps V Variations FV PKG Price Melbourne Cup 20 Dec Various Various 14 See separate list $17.79 $ $395.00* presentation folder 60c silver foil 1 Silver foil stamp (mint no gum) 60c $22.35 $22.95 Melbourne Cup FDCs Melbourne Cup 60c gold foil 1 Gold foil stamp (mint no gum) 60c $ $ Melbourne Cup 4 x 60c 4 Stamps, Se-tenant strip of 3 and large Melbourne Cup 6 $21.60 imperforate half sheet (9 minisheets) Minisheet (imperforate CS) $55.35 $ Commonwealth Coinage Commonwealth 55c & $ Stamps, Se-tenant pair and large 4 $33.00 imperforate half sheet Coinage (10 minisheets) Minisheet (imperforate CS) 55c & $2.75 Commonwealth Coinage Commonwealth 2 Stamps, Se-tenant pair and overprinted 11 Nov overprinted 3 $3.30 $86.65 $89.95* wallet Coinage Minisheet (imperforate CS) minisheet Australians Under 45c, 75c, 75c & 11 Nov Darwin Defenders 5 4 Stamps and large Minisheet $3 $86.95 $89.95* Fire $1.05 Kokoda Trail boxed cover Kokoda 2 x 55c 1 Sheetlet $1.10 $88.85 $ Dec 11 Nov 11 Nov National Service stamplet pack National Service presentation box Aeronautical Licence Wallet Great Australian Railway Journeys gold foil set National Service 10 x 60c sheetlet. 60c + tab National Service 10 x 60c 2 Centenary of Powered Flight Great Australian Railway Journeys 3 Digitally printed stamp, Stamp + tab & Stamplet Stamp and Sheetlet with gold foil logo in corner $6.60 $9.35 $15.95* $6.00 $ $129.00* 2 x $ Pearl-embellished stamp & Minisheet $2.90 $47.05 $49.95* 3 x 55c & $2.10 (paper) 3 x 55c & $2.10 (gold foil) 4 4 gold foil stamps $7.50 $91.50 $99.00 Emergency Services 4 x 60c pearl-embellished stamps, 2 setenant strips of 4 & Gutter Emergency Services 10 x 60c 7 $6.00 $83.95 $89.95* gutter strip + $20 Macquarie Bicentenary Macquarie 4 x 55c 1 Huge minisheet $2.20 $87.75 $89.95 presentation product Bicentenary TOTAL 54 TOTAL $ $ $ OSD = On-Sale Date. This was the date of the invoice. Products were available for order before this but were not in stock and hence not on sale. V = Number of new variations. FV = Face value of the stamps. PKG = Price FV = Cost of packaging and other non-mint stamp paraphernalia. CS = Collectable Stamp. Price = The price to buy one of each product. Where there is more than one variation per product more than one of each product must be purchased. This is indicated with an asterisk*. The total price to obtain all 54 individual variations was $ This total has been taken into account in the 2010 Variations Statistics table. Stamp News - 25

8 Australian Stamp Variations Details of the main variations in recent stamp issues Sheetlets: 4 x 60c Carbine (1890) 4 x 60c Phar Lap (1930) 4 x 60c Saintly (1996) 4 x 60c Cup (gold-foiled cup) Melbourne Cup Presentation Folder Stamps Variations Comments Minisheets: 60c Cup 60c Carbine (1890) 60c Phar Lap (1930) 60c Saintly (1996) 50c Bart Cummings with binoculars 50c Bart Cummings with cup 2 x 60c Cup Celebrating 150 Years of the Melbourne Cup sheetlet containing 3 blocks of 4 of the same stamp Sheetlet of 4 gold-foiled 60c Cup stamps with large tabs on the left. Vertical strip of 4 stamps with integrated tabs. Semi-imperforate stamps (left side). Gold-foiled image. Minisheet with gold serial number overprint in the bottom left corner. The Cups King : Bart Cummings minisheet containing se-tenant pair. Se-tenant pair. Pale image x 2. Americain minisheet containing a vertical pair of stamps. Sheetlet size = 245 x 175mm. (Blocks of 4 of the same stamp were previously issued in the prestige booklet on 1 st November.) The tabs depict: The Early Years ( ), More Than A Race ( ), The Tradition Continues ( ), The 150 th Melbourne Cup (2010) There is a small elliptical hole along the imperforate left side of each stamp. Sheetlet size = 176 x 170mm. The 3 x 60c stamps are in a se-tenant strip of 3. (This minisheet was previously issued on 1 st November without the overprint.) Minisheet size = 106 x 86mm Australian Legends reprints. No 2010 year code. Stamps are paler than originals particularly noticeable is the pale green text background. Minisheet size = 106 x 86mm. (Stamp previously issued on 1 st November.) Single Stamps: 5d Archer (1861 & 1862) Same as original 1960 stamp. No 2010 year code. 45c Rising Fast (1954) Same as original 2002 stamp. No 2010 year code. 45c Might and Power (1997) Same as original 2002 stamp. No 2010 year code. 50c Phar Lap (1930) Same as original 1978 stamp. No 2010 year code. 55c Peter Pan (1932 & 1934) Same as original 1978 stamp. No 2010 year code. $1 Phar Laps Racing Silks Same as original 2005 stamp. No 2010 year code. 60c Cup (silver) Silver metal foil (mint no gum) stamp attached to an envelope. (Previously issued on 26 th November.) 26 - Stamp News

9 David Mallen News in June I have not received any payment for the 57 articles since then but I feel I have at least put something back into our hobby. Thanks Kevin and Mairin. I trust you have enjoyed reading them each month and I thank you for the feedback you have given me by post, and on My ASV Catalogue will be my last. I shall now be selling all my surplus material accumulated since I was 10 years old. Keep an eye on my website and ebay. Stamp Collecting is one of the best educational hobbies there is. I am sure you will continue to get enjoyment from it. David Mallen 31 st December 2010 The End This is my final ASV article for Stamp News. I began collecting stamps 54 years ago but have now decided to stop. I can no longer afford to spend over $5000 a year to buy all Australia Post s variations so I can write this article. Throwing over $1300 worth of Impressions packaging into the recycle bin every November was the straw that broke the camel s back! I stopped collecting in December My first Australian Stamp Variations article was published in Stamp Stamp News - 27