Australia's 4th International Philatelic Exhibition was held in Melbourne from 29 October to 1 November 1928. It was staged in the Melbourne Town Hall. This event was to prove momentous in the philatelic history of Australia. Why? For the answer to that we must first turn back the clock to 1914.
It all began on 30 January 1914 when a stamp design prepared by RA Harrison bearing a kookaburra was approved by the Postmaster-General. In March, it was announced in the press that Harrison's kookaburra design "was copied from an exhibit sent in by Mr Blamire Young". The approved design was then sent to TS Harrison who cut the die for the stamp. On 5 March he submitted a set of eight colour proofs to the Postmaster-General. After studying the proofs, the Postmaster-General selected a claret colour for the stamp on 10 March. Work commenced on the printing plates shortly after on 3 April, and they were ready to go in 7 July. Then on 24 August, distribution of the new claret kookaburra definitive stamps began. The new stamps were first put on sale two days later on 26 July 1914. What hit the market that day is hands down one of Australia's most stunning engraved stamps.
Now back to Melbourne in 1928. The organisers of the International Philatelic Exhibition want something really special for this year's event. Something that will really wow the crowds. What better crowd-pleaser, they decide, than an on-location printing press churning out special miniature sheets for the event. These miniature sheets were to be printed in special sheets of 60 arranged so there were 15 blocks of 4 stamps, each block surrounded by a selvedge. But what stamp to use? Hey, why not revitalise that stunning 1914 kookaburra classic! This time, however, the stamp would have a new denomination of 3d, which was the basic 1oz letter rate to foreign countries and the airmail fee for a ½oz letter within Australia. Also, the stamp had a colour change to blue. It must be noted that this stamp was also printed in sheet form at the Note Printing Branch, along with extra miniature sheets. In total, 250,500 miniature sheets were printed.
It all began on 30 January 1914 when a stamp design prepared by RA Harrison bearing a kookaburra was approved by the Postmaster-General. In March, it was announced in the press that Harrison's kookaburra design "was copied from an exhibit sent in by Mr Blamire Young". The approved design was then sent to TS Harrison who cut the die for the stamp. On 5 March he submitted a set of eight colour proofs to the Postmaster-General. After studying the proofs, the Postmaster-General selected a claret colour for the stamp on 10 March. Work commenced on the printing plates shortly after on 3 April, and they were ready to go in 7 July. Then on 24 August, distribution of the new claret kookaburra definitive stamps began. The new stamps were first put on sale two days later on 26 July 1914. What hit the market that day is hands down one of Australia's most stunning engraved stamps.
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Now back to Melbourne in 1928. The organisers of the International Philatelic Exhibition want something really special for this year's event. Something that will really wow the crowds. What better crowd-pleaser, they decide, than an on-location printing press churning out special miniature sheets for the event. These miniature sheets were to be printed in special sheets of 60 arranged so there were 15 blocks of 4 stamps, each block surrounded by a selvedge. But what stamp to use? Hey, why not revitalise that stunning 1914 kookaburra classic! This time, however, the stamp would have a new denomination of 3d, which was the basic 1oz letter rate to foreign countries and the airmail fee for a ½oz letter within Australia. Also, the stamp had a colour change to blue. It must be noted that this stamp was also printed in sheet form at the Note Printing Branch, along with extra miniature sheets. In total, 250,500 miniature sheets were printed.
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But this wasn't the last time the KGV period in Australia saw the kookaburra sit proudly on a stamp. Stocks of the 6d claret kookaburra were all but exhausted. A new definitive was needed to replace it. And if you're onto a good thing why not stick with it. Another kookaburra was the order of the day. Initially the new kookaburra design was going to be engraved and printed in recess, but since the country was still battling the Great Depression, as an economic measure, the stamp was printed in letterpress and issued on 1 June 1932.. It is still a beauty in my opinion.
Until next time...
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