Stamp Bulletin 387

Hello Collectors

Welcome to our first edition of the Australian Stamp Bulletin for 2024. We present a new look as outlined in the article Changes to the Australian Stamp Bulletin.

Looking ahead to the coming stamp issues they include for January our 2024 Christmas Island Lunar New Year stamp issue. We anticipate an elevated level of interest in the stamps this year as we celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The stamp designs are inspired by red envelopes (known as “Ang Bao” or “red packets”), which are a key part of Lunar New Year celebrations. Children bestow their best wishes upon their elders and, in return, receive money in red envelopes along with wishes of good luck, happiness and health for the coming year. The Dragon occupies a special place in the Chinese zodiac, being the only mythical creature among them.

Several species of whale frequent the waters around Norfolk Island, but the most significant in terms of the island’s history is the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). The species is notable for its spectacular breaching behaviour, as reflected in one of the stamp designs of this issue.

The significance of label design is seen in the stamps for Nostalgic Tinned Fruit Labels. The stamp designs draw attention to the details each label design required at the time, including the country of manufacture, and of the origin of the fruit. In February two species of birds are featured in stamp issues - Australian Ground Parrots and Australian Antarctic Territories Petrels.

^{This content was produced at the time of the Stamp Bulletin publication date and will not be updated.}