The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee stamp issue has topped the 2022 Stamp Poll, perhaps in part as a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September last year.
Respondents completing the online poll were asked to rank (at least) their “top 5” stamp issues and their least favourite issue, though as per last year 70 per cent of respondents didn’t have a least favourite issue. The bulk of respondents were again from Australia (93 per cent), with the UK, USA, Canada, Germany and New Zealand also featuring, as well as India and a handful of other countries in Asia and Europe. Most represented among respondents was the age group 60 to 69 years (25.8 per cent), followed by 50 to 59 years (21.6 per cent), though when grouped together people aged between 18 and 49 amounted to 28.6 per cent of respondents, which is a pleasing trend for philately.
The natural world, heritage and remembrance themes are once again well represented in the Top 10 stamp issues, which are listed below:
1). The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022
The Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926–22) marked a reign of 70 years over the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. The Queen was the longest-reigning living monarch and became the first British monarch to have ruled for seven decades. This incredible example of dedication to service and duty was marked with an issue of two stamps, designed by Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio and released on 5 April 2022.
The domestic-rate stamp features a photograph by Dorothy Wilding (1893–1976), taken on 15 April 1952. It was hand painted by Wilding’s retoucher and colourist, Beatrice Johnson (1906–2000) and forms part of the collections of the National Portrait Gallery, London. The photograph was taken as part of a series of 59 portraits, which commenced on 26 February 1952, just weeks into the Queen’s reign. Commissioned by the UK postal authority and mint, one purpose of the photo shoot was to assist with creating the likeness of Her Majesty on new coins, banknotes and stamps, including in Australia. The international-rate stamp features a photograph, by Max Mumby, of the Queen attending an event to mark the centenary of British Airways, in 2019.
2) Budgerigars
The inquisitive, endearing Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small parrot native to the drier regions of Australia and is also a very popular and affectionate pet, bred in a range of colour combinations. This stamp issue, released on 11 July 2022, celebrates the iconic Budgie through spectacular portraits by renowned bird photographer Leila Jeffreys. Stamp design is by Sharon Rodziewicz of the Australia Post Design Studio.
3) Sheepdog Trials: 150 Years
Released on 8 March 2022 is a stamp issue that commemorates the start of sheep dog trials in Australia, a tradition that continues today in every Australian state and territory. Iconic Aussie sheepdog breeds, the Kelpie and the Border Collie, use their agility, endurance and intelligence to herd sheep through fences, gates and other obstacles. Stamp designs are by Gary Domoney, VISUA.
4) Our Beautiful Continent
Our Beautiful Continent, which was released on 22 February 2022, presents three stunning and important natural landscapes from Australian World Heritage sites and another recently included on the World Heritage Tentative List. The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) seeks to identify, protect and preserve cultural and natural heritage that is of outstanding value to humanity. The stamp designs are by Simone Sakinofsky of the Australia Post Design Studio.
5) Postcards to the Front
On 12 April 2022, in the lead-up to Anzac Day, we released Postcards to the Front. This issue of three stamps features postcards produced to send to Australians at the front during World War I. While the Laughing Kookaburras are visually patriotic and good humoured, the heartfelt phrases on each postcard design convey the difficulty of being separated from loved ones during war. Stamp design is by Jo Muré of the Australia Post Design Studio.
6) Aerial Views
Australia is home to some of the world’s most alluring and diverse natural landscapes, including fertile rainforests, arid deserts, ancient rockscapes, spectacular coral reefs, vital and productive wetlands, expansive mountain ranges and much more. This international-rate stamp issue, released on 23 August 2022 and designed by Sharon Rodziewicz of the Australia Post Design Studio, showcases a selection of Australia’s magnificent and dramatic natural landscapes viewed from an elevated perspective.
7) Australian Dinosaurs
Australia Post Collecting Month 2022 took us back to animals of the Mesozoic, with four dinosaurs and a pterosaur (winged lizard) from the Cretaceous Period (145–66 million years ago) presented in an issue of five stamps, released on 5 September 2022. The stamp illustrations are by artist Peter Trusler, who specialises in depicting prehistoric fauna in consultation with scientists and palaeontologists.
8) Australian-bred Roses
Australian-bred roses are cultivars that have been bred in Australia to suit local growing conditions. This stamp issue was released on 13 September 2022, ahead of the World Rose Convention 2022. The stamps showcase four beautiful Australian-bred roses across a diversity of colour, type, breeder and breeding location. Meet rosarians Kelvin and Melanie Trimper.
9) Australian Rivers
Australia’s rivers are lifelines for community, agriculture and trade across our dry continent and support a diverse range of flora and fauna. This stamp issue, released on 25 October 2022, features striking photographs that showcase four of Australia’s more than 400 rivers, including its longest, the River Murray. Stamp design is by Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio.
10) King of the Mountain: Brock 50 Years
Peter Geoffrey Brock (1945–2006) is a legend of Australian motorsport, who conquered the Bathurst racing event a record nine times, between 1972 and 1987. In 2022, it was the 50th anniversary of Brock’s inaugural Bathurst triumph, and this stamp issue, released on 3 October 2022, commemorates Brock’s illustrious record in this event. Stamp designs are by SE Products.
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This content was produced during February 2023 and will not be updated.
