Overview
George Raper (1769–1796) was a Royal Navy officer and artist who accompanied the First Fleet to Australia. On 6 March 1790, HMS Sirius, with Raper on board, left Port Jackson (now Sydney Harbour) for Norfolk Island. On 19 March, Sirius was wrecked while landing supplies at Norfolk Island and the crew were stranded on the island for 11 months. While there, Raper made several watercolour sketches of the island’s natural history and topographical features.
Raper and the rest of the ship's company eventually returned to Sydney with HMAT Supply, arriving there on 27 February 1791. Raper then returned to England on the Dutch ship Waaksamheyd, after which time he was promoted. In addition to his Norfolk Island works, Raper is known for his water-colour drawings relating to the birds and flowers of Sydney Cove, many of which are held in the State Library of New South Wales and the British Museum.
Technical specifications
- Issue date
- 13 September 2022
- Issue withdrawal date
- 31 March 2023
- Denomination
- $1.10 x 1, $2.20 x 1
- Stamp design
- Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio
- Product design
- Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio
- Paper: gummed
- Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phos.
- Printer
- RA Printing
- Printing process
- Offset lithography
- Stamp size (mm)
- 37.5 x 26
- Minisheet size (mm)
- 135 x 80
- Perforations
- 13.86 x 14.6
- Sheet layout
- Module of 50
- FDI Postmark
- Norfolk Island NSW 2899
- FDI withdrawal date
- 11 October 2022
$1.10 Map of Norfolk Island
The map detail on the stamp shows the route of the Sirius to Norfolk Island, via Phillip Island and Nepean Island. The minisheet shows the entire island. The map, which is now in the National Library of Australia (MAP RM 3460), has both views on the one sheet.
$2.20 Snapper of Norfolk Island
This rendition of a Sweetlip Emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) is one of the watercolours of fauna and flora made by Raper while he was on Norfolk Island in 1790 and 1791. The original is held in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London.
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Set of stamps:
Set of George Raper on NI: 1790–91 Gummed Stamps
This set of stamps contains all two stamps from the George Raper on Norfolk Island: 1790–91 stamp issue.
Minisheet:
George Raper on NI: 1790–91 Minisheet
The George Raper on Norfolk Island: 1790–91 minisheet consists of the two stamps from the issue incorporated into a miniature stamp sheet.
Gutter strip 10x $1.10:
Gutter Strip of 10x $1.10 Map of NI Stamps
The gutter strip consists of 10 x $1.10 Map of Norfolk Island stamps from the George Raper on Norfolk Island: 1790–91 stamp issue.
Gutter strip 10x $2.20:
Gutter Strip of 10x $2.20 Snapper of NI Stamps
The gutter strip consists of 10 x $2.20 Snapper of Norfolk Island stamps from the George Raper on Norfolk Island: 1790–91 stamp issue.
- Set of stamps
- Minisheet
- Gutter strip 10x $1.10
- Gutter strip 10x $2.20
Additional collectables:
- Pictorial Envelope for the George Raper on NI: 1790–91 Stamp Issue
- George Raper on NI: 1790–91 First Day Cover (Gummed Stamps)
- George Raper on NI: 1790–91 First Day Cover (Minisheet)
This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.
