A government that ignores the pleas of its people? How many times in history has that happened! From as early as 1919 the Australian public were requesting a dedicated airmail stamp. This seems to have been a reasonable request considering the first Australian airmail flight took place between 16-18 July 1914, some five years earlier, travelling from Melbourne to Sydney. Reasonable or not, the requests seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
In fact, nothing happened until 1926, when the development of an airmail service between Adelaide and Perth was being considered. But still no thought to an airmail stamp. It wasn't until 1928 that the government said, "Hey, let's put out tenders for a potential airmail design!" Better late than never!
Many designs were sent in and considered. One design by R.A. Harrison stood out from the pack. Harrison's design was chosen, but it needed some tweaking. This task was given to Melbourne artist, Harold Herbert.
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On 20 May 1929 Australia issued its first Airmail stamp. The stamp was engraved by Arthur Taylor. And it is a stunner. But worth such a long wait? Well, I leave that for you to decide.
This charming design depicts a De Havilland DH66 Hercules flying over a picturesque Australiana scene, complete with sheep and a towering gum tree. Incidentally, the De Havilland DH66 was used in the new east-west Airmail service mentioned above.
Until next time...
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