Impressions™ 2015: Gold Miniature Sheet Collections

Every year there's a two gold miniature sheet collections, and this year's editions are for the Centenary of Gallipoli and the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Centenary of Gallipoli Collection (sold for $159.95) includes:

• two 24 karat numbered gold miniature sheets (one printed in black, and one without).
• a standard perforate miniature sheet.

The Long May She Reign Collection (sold for $149.95) includes:

• two 999.9 numbered gold miniature sheets (one perforate, and one imperforate.
• a standard perforate miniature sheet.
• an imperforate version of the standard miniature sheet.

Limited to: 250 of each collection

Sheet size: Same as the original sheet size

Printer: Unknown

Printing Process: Lithography for standard sheets

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper for standard sheets

Availability date: 26 October 2015

A special collection with Australian and British miniature sheets is also available from 27 October for $149.95 (limited to 250). The Australian miniature sheet in this collection appears to be the same as the standard version.

Update 1 (28 October 2015): Changed availability date to 26 October 2015, reflecting the first day these went on sale.

Impressions™ 2015: The Great War Album - 1915 Gallipoli

The second in a series of albums, this album which sells for $249.95, commemorates the Centenary of Gallipoli and other events that happened during the First World War in 1915.

The contents of this album are certainly numerous:

• Five digitally printed and numbered gummed miniature sheets featuring vertical pairs of the Gallipoli stamps.
• One digitally printed and numbered gummed miniature sheet featuring a block of five of the Animals in War set of five.
• A gummed miniature sheet containing two horizontal strips of the five Gallipoli stamps with a map showing key locations in Gallipoli.
• Hill 60 postage paid postcard (exclusive to this product).
• AE2 pre-stamped envelopes and Malta ANZAC Memorial prepaid envelope with exclusive foiled postmarks.
• Regular versions of the ANZAC Joint issue miniature sheet (Australian version) and Victoria Cross miniature sheet.
• Issues from the UK and New Zealand.

Also included is a Simpson's Donkey coin, and replica of a hand-drawn map of Hill 60.

Limited to: 250
Printer: UnknownPrinting Process: Limited edition miniature sheets are digitally printed
Paper: Ordinary gummed paper
Special features: Likely to include imperforate stamps
Availability date: 26 October 2015

Update 1 (28 October 2015): Changed availability date to 26 October 2015, reflecting the first day these went on sale.

Update 2 (31 October 2015): As of today, this product appears to be 'Out of Stock'. This happened last year with the 1914 album, with the album going back on sale a few days later.

Annual Collection Sheetlet

Each year the Annual Collection includes a special sheetlet or miniature sheet. This years collection features a miniature sheet containing four of the Princess Charlotte stamps.

Sheet size: Unknown

Printer: Probably RA Printing due to the smaller print run

Printing Process: Lithography

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper

Special features: None

Availability date: 30 October 2015

Impressions™ 2015: Christmas Decorations

A new item to this year's range is a set of Christmas decorations featuring an imperforate Christmas sheet of one stamp and a Perth Mint coin featuring Christmas items connected to the stamp.

There are four decorations (each sells for $34.95):

$1.70 Bells design from 2014 and 2012 Bells coin

60c Candle design from 2013 and 2013 Candles coin

55c Reindeer design from 2012 and 2014 Santa's sleigh coin

65c Christmas Island 'Crab Christmas Tree' from 2015 and 2015 Santa on Christmas Island coin

The coins are not new, having featured in a PNC released each year.

Limited to: 150 of each decoration

Sheet size: 38 mm x 54 mm

Printer: Unknown

Printing Process: Likely to be digital due to the small print run, and the numbering

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper

Special features: Each design is imperforate, and includes a micro printed '2015' date (the 65c stamp Christmas Island stamp doesn't)

Availability date: 26 October 2015 (The 65c Christmas Island decoration is not available until 30 October)

Update 1 (28 October 2015): Changed availability date to 26 October 2015, reflecting the first day these went on sale.

Impressions™ Range Announced

It's that time of year again when Australia Post announces its annual Impressions™ range. This year the full range of items is featured at: https://shop.auspost.com.au/stamp-coin-collectables/impressions

I will upload a review of each item which is relevant to collectors on this blog, along with an availability date (this is the date the item is available for ordering, and hence presumably it is in stock). Further information will be published in my Stamp News articles once the products are examined and printing and other information is known. This information will also be available online.

Due to the complexity and number of issues, collectors are asked to check this blog regularly. Updates will be noted in each entry when made.

Impressions™ 2015: Further Items

Australia Post Philatelic has kindly sent me a PDF copy of the Impressions™ catalogue, which has a further more items listed.

Australian Trees Special Pack

Limited to: 1000 packs

Sheet size: Unknown

Printer: McKellar Renown

Printing Process: Probably lithography with scent added

Paper:
Lemon Scented Sheetlet:
Ordinary gummed paper (stamps appear to be the same as the regular issue, but have a plastic coating applied, which is the scent).
Sheetlet printed on wood:
Self-adhesive (same as regular issue)

Special features: Scent added to the gummed sheetlet

Availability date: 30 October 2015

Animals in War Ingot Set

This one escaped my notice whilst checking online. There are no images of the miniature in the webshop.

Limited to: 250 sets

Sheet size: Unknown

Printer: Unknown

Printing Process: Likely to be digital due to small print size and numbering of each sheet

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper

Special features: Unknown

Availability date: 26 October 2015

Update 1 (30 October 2015): Date of availability added to Trees pack, and correction to contents.
Update 2 (5 November 2015): Printer of trees sheetlets updated.
Update 3 (10 November 2015): Trees pack has arrived and information on the Trees pack has been updated.

New Australia Post Stamp Collecting Site

Australia Post will be launching a new stamp collecting site at: http://www.australiapostcollectables.com.au in conjunction with the Stamp Collecting Month issue on 22 September.

The site is said to boast up to date information for collectors, a newsletter, articles and lots more for collectors. This is a positive development for Australian philately, and long overdue. I remember calling for such a site, and a newsletter etc. many years ago.