Stamps

Australian Paintings
Issued: 6 May 2003
This issue is the first in a series of paintings in public collections by significant Australian artists.

One of the four stamps featured in the first series is Sidney Nolan’s 1946 Ned Kelly. The painting shows a defiant Kelly in his characteristic armour as the master of his domain, riding into a wide, deserted landscape. The painting is part of Nolan’s much loved Kelly series produced between 1946 and 1947. The 1946 Ned Kelly was painted enamel on composition board and stands 90.8cm x 121.5cm. This Nolan was a gift of Sunday Reed to the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra in 1977.

This stamp collection and accompanying packaging was designed by Symone Lambert from Australia Post Design Studio. The Sidney Nolan stamp is available as part of a set on a first day cover and a four stamp presentation pack. Also available is a stamped postcard and pre printed postcard. The postcard features a scene by photographer Jeff Drewitz of Lake Catani, near Mount Buffalo, Victoria. Drewitz chose the area situated in Victoria’s north-east, because of it’s “Kelly Country” heritage.

Rebel Spirit
Issued: 3 May 2001
Irish Post celebrates Irish heritage in Australia

An Post (the Irish Post Office) issues stamps which commemorate international events that have a connection with Ireland. These stamps will be released to coincide with Australia Post’s Federal Parliament 1901 – 2001 issue.

The stamp designs commemorate federation and the Irish contribution to the development of the Australian character. Because of the issue’s association with federation Australia Post has agreed to sell selected products from this issue on behalf of An Post.

The set of sheetlets comprises The Land of Promise and Rebel Spirit each of which features two of the four stamps in the issue. The Land of Promise sheetlet captures the emotions of emigration, Rebel Spirit captures the emergence of the Australian identity with images of Peter Lalor and Ned Kelly.

The presentation pack features the miniature sheet (pictured right). The miniature sheet features the IR£1 Ned Kelly stamp. These products will be available from Collector’s Corner outlets and by mail order from the Australian Philatelic Bureau.

Ned Kelly's Last Stand Centenary
Issued: 25 June 1980

On July 28, 1980, this envelope (pictured above) was issued to commemorate the Centenary of The Siege of Glenrowan by the Glenrowan Post Office. It was designed by the Australia Post Graphic Design Section (Envelope No. 027), and was sold throughout Australia and its territories. It was the first time an outlaw had appeared on a legal postage product in Australia and needless to say when issued it caused quite a stir in certain sections of the community. Copies can still be bought through stamp resellers and collectors.

International Centenary of Cinema
Issued: 1995

To celebrate the International Centenary of Cinema in 1995, Australia Post commissioned Sydney graphic designer John Spatchurst to produce a series of stamps depicting some of Australia's most outstanding cinematic works. Spatchurst employed computer technology to combine images in the cinema stamp designs. Among the five stamps he designed was one titled The Story of the Kelly Gang, from a home grown movie made in 1906. It was also the first full length feature film in the world.

Australia Post also produced a postage prepaid postcard (pictured right) which featured the Centenary of Cinema stamp as well as a copy of the original movie poster reproduced courtesy of the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra. This was to be the second time in Australian philatelic history that Ned Kelly was featured.