It's A Do-It-Yourself Stamp Issue

Norfolk Island people are going to get the opportunity of designing their own postage stamps. But if any of their designs are accepted they will have to be content with little else but the kudos.

The Norfolk Island Administration announced the scheme in late November. The announcement said Norfolk planned on a new stamp issue, possibly consisting of nine denominations, in 1959. Exact details had yet to be decided.

However, residents were invited to submit designs or ideas —in the form of their own photographs, or sketches and drawings, or detailed written descriptions. Designs had to go to the Administrator by Christmas Eve.

A prize of £5 “and a copy of the die proofs of the issue” will be awarded to anyone who submits a design or idea that is used.

No doubt there will be plenty of takers —for it will be in the way of an honour to have designed your own stamps.

Although £5 these days will hardly pay for the supply and processing of photographs used in the design.