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Dear Collectors
Welcome to our first edition of the Australian Stamp Bulletin for 2012 after a very busy close to the previous year. I’m sure you all made the most of the Christmas break, as I did.
Before we take a closer look at the first stamp issues for the year I would like to revisit November 2011 and the release of the ANZUS stamp issue. This commemorative stamp was produced to recognise the very significant visit to Australia by the Honourable Barack Obama, President of the United States of America.
An official state visit by the President had been planned for some time but was cancelled on two previous occasions due to issues of state. The uncertainty made plans to commemorate the visit extremely difficult given the print timelines of both the Bulletin, and more importantly, the 2011 Annual Collection of Australian Stamps.
The decision for the visit to occur in mid-November was to affect the timing of both publications, which had already been printed. Philatelic would release the commemorative stamp issue without having a sample included in the Annual Collection but this historic event was too important and needed to be recognised officially. The stamp will be included with the 2012 Annual Collection of Australian Stamps.
Looking ahead to the coming stamp issues there is quite a variety of themes, including our 2012 Lunar New Year stamp issue. We anticipate a high level of interest in the stamps this year as we celebrate the Year of the Dragon. This year’s Australian Legends stamp issue will celebrate the achievements of sporting heroes from the different football codes in Australia. What collectors won’t know until the issue is released in January is the identity of those selected for this honour.
Capital City Transport, Farming, Technology – Then and Now and a range of new stamp designs for use with social mail in Precious Moments offers a diverse range of subjects and design styles. There’s really something for everyone.
We also bring you the results of the Stamp Poll from 2011 and the opportunity to settle those debates that I’m sure collectors just love to have regarding the favourite stamp and stamp issue of the year. The poll covered the gummed stamps featured in our voting entry form and the online entry page.
Happy Collecting
Manager, Philatelic, Australia Post
This content was produced at the time of the Stamp Bulletin publication date and will not be updated.
