Timely Book On Australian Stamps

JJ/ITH the change in Australia to decimal currency on February 14, all Australian pre-decimal stamps are expected to increase in value. The 1966 edition of “The Australian Stamp Catalogue” is there fore timely. All issues of the Commonwealth of Australia are listed, illustrated and priced.

Although Australia’s States federated in 1901, it was not until 1913 that the Commonwealth issued its first stamp —and only after long wrangling as to whether the Sovereign’s head should appear on it.

Finally, the anti-royalists won the day and the first Australian stamp appeared with a kangaroo superimposed on a map of the Common wealth.

The design was used for 32 years for all denominations, although each value came in a different colour. However, in 1914 there was a change of government in Australia and a series of stamps showing the head of George V was issued —in the same denominations as the kangaroo stamps —and both were used in successive issues until the death of King George V in 1936.

Since. 1914 various other Australian birds and animals, historic events, flowers, sporting events, etc., have been the motifs for Australian stamps.

The last stamp issued in £sd was the Christmas stamp of 1965.

On February 14, a new set of 19 stamps came into use. Their values extend from 1c to $4 and each design is different. The designs range from the Queen’s portrait on the one cent stamp through birds, fish and crabs to Abel Tasman (40c) Captain Cook (75c) and Phillip Parker King ($4). (THE AUSTRALIAN STAMP CATALOGUE. Review Publications Pty. Ltd. $l.)