Frozen Stamp Pack

With all the news on the Impressions items, forgot to mention that the Frozen stamp pack went on sale on 10 November. The pack is printed by RA Printing, so the stamps inside should be no different to those in the previous Planes et al. packs.

Paddington Bear Pack

Appearing in post offices from around 5 November, the Paddington Bear pack is the source of two new varieties for Australian collectors - the first time the 70c Love Heart Flowers stamp has been released with a tab; and the first time this stamp has been printed by RA Printing.

An Overlooked Impressions Item

There's one item that many collectors will have missed in this year's Impressions catalogue: The Kangaroo & Map and King George V stamp and coin set. I initially overlooked it thinking it was no different to the individual stamp and coin sets released with the original issues in 2013 and 2014. However, closer examination shows the set includes an exclusive miniature sheet.

This set is excellent value for money. Selling for $199, the original stamp and coin sets sold for $89.95 (Kangaroo & Map (limited to 4000, and now sold out)) and $99.95 (limited to 2500). The product went on sale with the vast majority of the other Impressions items on Tuesday.

Comments on the Impressions Catalogue

This year's Impressions catalogue should be in the hands of collectors by now.

Although some may complain about the products in the range, personally I feel Australia Post should be applauded for the quality of the catalogue and products. This year's images seem to be much more detailed, and appear to be images of the final products (or as close to the final products as possible); much more information is given on each item; and many products appear to much better value for money.

A prime example, is this year's commemorative album: WWI Commemorative Album 1914. This year's album sells for just $249.95, and contains 11 miniature sheets and a prepaid envelope (all are illustrated in the catalogue), with a total face value $24.70, plus NZ and UK stamps worth approximately $24.50.

Comparing this to previous year's, reveals how much better value this year's album is:
2010 Melbourne Cup (sold for $395) – 4 miniature sheets (total face value $17.79) plus silver stamp on cover
2011 Remembrance Day (sold for $395) – 2 miniature sheets (total face value $2, plus NZ and UK stamps)
2012 50th Bathurst Race (sold for $495) – 2 miniature sheets (total face value $2.40)

The stamp and coin products also represent value for money:
Each of the six miniature sheet and coin sets (Ulysses Butterfly, Leichhardt's Grasshopper, Corroboree Frog, Orangutan, Asian Elephant and Sumatran Tiger) contain a coin that the Royal Australian Mint sells for $15 (the Butterfly and Grasshopper coins were released this year, and are still available for sale from the Royal Australian Mint, with the others released in 2012 and are now off sale).

The Koala, Kangaroo and Kookaburra miniature sheet and gold coin sets each contain a Perth Mint gold coin sold for $59.50.

More Impressions Items on Sale, and some off Sale!

It seems the list of Impressions items released earlier this week was not complete. Turning up for the first time today (7 November) are the 2014 Multisheets, consisting of four separate sheets - this year we have two portrait sheets, one landscape sheet, and a new one consisting of square shaped stamps. (The Concession Post stamps do not appear in the portrait sheets). The set of four sheets costs $89.95, and as in the past remains one of the best value Impressions items as it contains stamps to the value of $82.70.

The WWI Commemorative Album is now off sale (this item has been on and off sale during the entire week). The individual Kangaroo, Koala and Kookaburra mini sheets and gold coins packs are now all on sale, but the set of three is off sale! The image of the Pinwheel pack has been modified - the write up refers to four miniature sheets, but the image has only three - a copy of the pack front has conveniently been placed where the fourth sheet would be. Finally, the imperforate sheets are now 'off sale' (they have been listed as 'out of stock', but I suspect they were placed on sale by mistake).

Further Impressions Items Available

Available from today (6 November 2014):

Remembering WWI 1914

WWI Commemorative Album 1914 ($249.95)

Celebrations

Special Occasions Imperforate Sheet ($99.95)

Unusually, the imperforate sheet is available online this year, rather than having to phone in at a set time. Collectors may remember that last year, the imperforate sheet was also available online, but only after the usual phone in.

Impressions Items Available From Today

Australia Post has started to sell its annual Impressions items to collectors via their online shop.

On sale from today (5 November) are:
Remembering WWI 1914
A Century of Service: ADF Stamp and Lapel Pin set ($99.95)

Impressions of History
100th Anniversary of First Air Mail Flight re-enactment ($159.95)
Bush Ballads Collection ($129.95)

Nature's Splendour
Asian Elephant Coin and Imperforate Miniature Sheet ($34.95)
Corroboree Frog Coin and Imperforate Miniature Sheet ($34.95)
Floral Emblems Prestige Stamp Booklet ($29.95)

Kookaburra Miniature Sheet and Gold Coin ($89.00)*

Leichhardt's Grasshopper Coin and Imperforate Miniature Sheet ($34.95)
Open Gardens Miniature Sheet Collection ($99.95)

Orangutan Coin and Imperforate Miniature Sheet ($34.95)
Southern Lights Exclusive Miniature Sheet Pack ($19.95)
Sumatran Tiger Coin and Imperforate Miniature Sheet ($34.95)
Things That Sting Miniature Sheet Collection ($89.95)
Ulysses Butterfly Coin and Imperforate Miniature Sheet ($34.95)

Celebrations
Christmas Foiled Stamp Pack ($49.95)
Royal Miniature Sheet Collection ($149.95)
Special Occasions Pinwheel Miniature Sheet Pack ($49.95)

Impressive Gifts

Blinky Bill and Nutsy Embossed Stamp Pack ($29.95)

On sale at a later date:

Remembering WWI 1914

Centenary of Military Aviation and Submarines Pack ($89.95)
Remembrance Day PNC ($19.95) (expected 11 November)
WWI Commemorative Album 1914 ($249.95)

Nature's Splendour
Kangaroo Miniature Sheet and Gold Coin ($89.00)*

Koala Miniature Sheet and Gold Coin ($89.00)*
* The set of three sheets and gold coins are available though from 5 November for $240.

Celebrations
Special Occasions Imperforate Sheet ($99.95) (will be available by phone order at a later date)

I will list issue dates of the above items as they come on sale.

$1.95 Sydney Harbour Bridge Reprint Differences

Thanks to those who have had time to examine the recent $1.95 Sydney Harbour Bridge reprint (issued on 1 October), and noticed a difference between the printings. On the reprint the value is in black, whereas the original self-adhesive stamps have a purple value. This difference should result in a separate catalogue number for this reprint.

I have stocks of all the self-adhesive stamps released on 1 October for sale. Please contact me at stamps@chrisdehaer.com.au for more information.

Unexpected Personalised Stamp™ for Christmas

In recent years Australia Post releases two Personalised Stamp™ sheets for Christmas – a sheet featuring the card rate stamps (often containing two or more designs), and one for the standard letter rate (containing a single design).

This year, though we have something different – a sheet containing the two secular card rate stamps (nothing usually there) and a sheet containing the card rate religious stamp. There are no standard letter rate Personalised Stamps™ this year.

As per usual I will be producing and selling my own Personalised Stamps™. Please email me at stamps@chrisdehaer.com.au for more information.

Impressions™ 2014 Available Soon

Australia Post mentioned in the latest Stamp Bulletin, that the Impressions™range will be released early November.

The Australia Post shop has started to display some of the range of products online:

http://shop.auspost.com.au/stamp-coin-collectables/impressions

As in previous year's the usual limited edition products, an imperforate sheet (with a complete new miniature sheet), more coin and stamp products as well as lots of gold stamps.

Recent Special Event Sheets and Packs

There's been a flurry of stamp packs and sheets released in the past few weeks.

There are no official release dates, but the earliest known on sale date is given below.

90th Anniversary of Brownlow Medal (6 October 2014)

First seen in post offices on 6 October (and in Stamp Bulletin No. 331, but not yet online), this pack contains two sheetlets of 10 blue Australia and Map stamps with tabs in a new layout, as well as a facsimile of the original Brownlow letter. It does not include mention of the 2014 Brownlow winner. Unless the printer of these stamp sheetlets is new, there should be no difference between the stamps in these packs on those in the AFL/NRL Team packs released earlier this year. The pack sells for $19.95.

AFL Premiers and Brownlow Medal Winner (6 October 2014)

Marking Hawthorn's back-to-back win in the AFL Grand Final and the awarding of the Brownlow to Matt Priddis, these Special Event Sheet features a new layout for such sheets. Featuring eight Map stamps with the tab between the stamps, the two sheets retail for $15.95 each. Unless the printer of these stamp sheetlets is new, there should be no difference between the stamps in these packs on those in the AFL/NRL Team packs released earlier this year.

Batman - 75th Anniversary Packs (13 October 2014)

Two packs to mark the 75th anniversary of Batman. Australia Post's product sheets list the release date of these as 22 October, but they first appeared online on 13 October. Unless the printer of these stamp sheetlets is new, there should be no difference between the stamps in these packs on those in the AFL/NRL Team packs released earlier this year.

NRL Premiers (15 October 2014)

Australia Post will also mark the Rabbitohs Premiership win with a sheet featuring a similar format to the AFL Premiers. Again the sheet will sell for $15.95. Again it is not expected that the stamps in this sheet will be different to those released previously.

Stamp Bulletin No. 331 Now Online

Australia Post has published Stamp Bulletin No. 331 online at:
http://shop.auspost.com.au/stamp-coin-collectables/for-collectors/publications

I have advised them that the PDF links do not work, and they are working to correct this.

Update (22 October 2014):
PDF versions are finally available, but only in the archives.

New Personalised Stamp™ Available from 1 October

At least one new Personalised Stamp™ was issued on 1 October, featuring the $2.75 Alpine National Park design. As suggested the $1.85 Melbourne Exhibition Centre remains on sale, and the $1.95 Sydney Harbour Bridge design is reissued. As soon as the $1.95 sheets arrive, we will be able to tell if the design is different to the original.

Update 14 October 2014:
Personalised Stamps™ have arrived from Australia Post. The $1.95 sheets are the original printing, while the $2.75 stamps were delayed and eventually issued on 7 October.

New Stamps for International Rates Released 1 October

At least five new stamps will be released on 1 October for the new international rates which take affect on 6 October.

The three new designs will be:
$2.75 Alpine National Park, Victoria (Rest of the World Letters (up to 50g))
$5.35 Blue Mountain National Park, NSW (Asia Pacific Letters (over 50g and up to 250g))
$7.40 Judbarra/Gregory National Park, NT (Rest of the World Letters (over 50g and up to 250g))

The $2.75 stamp is also available in self-adhesive booklets of 5, and should also be available as a Personalised Stamp™.

The stamps available for the letters up to 50g to New Zealand ($1.85) and Asia Pacific ($1.95) are a little more complicated, and are best looked at by source:

Sheet stamps (gummed)
The 2006 $1.85 Tasmanian Devil stamp will remain on sale, with the 2007 $1.95 Sydney Harbour Bridge sheet stamp being reissued to post offices.

Booklet stamps (self-adhesive)
Both stamps will be released in self-adhesive booklets of 5. This is the first time the $1.85 Devil stamp has been issued in this format. Although the $1.95 Bridge stamp was issued in self-adhesive booklets of five and a prestige booklet in 2007, this 2014 printing is a complete new booklet, by a different printer.

Personalised Stamps™(self-adhesive)
As Personalised Stamps™ are vertical designs, it is likely the $1.85 Melbourne Exhibition Centre design will remain on sale, with the $1.95 Sydney Harbour Bridge design being reissued.

Blinky Bill and Nutsy/Disney™ Planes Sheetlet Packs On Sale

Post offices started to receive stamps of the Blinky Bill and Nutsy Classic Collection sheetlet pack from 1 September, with stocks of the Disney™ Planes sheetlet pack arriving 10 September.

The Blinky Bill pack contains the first example of the 70c Wattle stamp with a tab, while the 70c Fireworks stamp in the Planes pack has been used before in previous packs.

Part of one of the Disney™ Planes Fire and Rescue sheetlets

Part of one of the Blinky Bill and Nutsy sheetlets

Increases to International Post Rates (6 October 2014)

International postal rates are set to increase again on 6 October as follows:

Aerogrammes (up to 125g) $2.30 (were $2.20)

Rates to New Zealand
Postcards and Greetings Cards (up to 20g) $1.85 (was $1.75)
Seasonal Cards* (up to 20g) $1.70 (was $1.70)
Letters (up to 50g) $1.85 (was $1.75)
Letters (over 50g up to 250g) $5.00 (was $4.50)
Letters (over 250g up to 500g) $10.00 (was $9.75)

Rates to Asia/Pacific
Postcards and Greetings Cards (up to 20g) $1.95 (was $1.85)
Seasonal Cards* (up to 20g) $1.80 (was $1.80)
Letters (up to 50g) $1.95 (was $1.85)
Letters (over 50g up to 250g) $5.35 (was $4.65)
Letters (over 250g up to 500g) $12.00 (was $11.15)

Rates to Rest of the World
Postcards and Greetings Cards (up to 20g) $2.75 (was $2.60)
Seasonal Cards* (up to 20g) $2.55 (was $2.55)
Letters (up to 50g) $2.75 (was $2.60)
Letters (over 50g up to 250g) $7.40 (was $6.45)
Letters (over 250g up to 500g) $16.50 (was $15.50)

* Rate is valid for November and December only. There are no changes to seasonal card prices.

There is no information yet on new stamps for these rates, but stamps with the following denominations are expected**: $1.95, $2.75, $5.35, $7.40, and possibly $1.85 and $5.00

** The $1.85 Melbourne Exhibition Centre stamp currently on sale for the current Asia/Pacific rate, may remain on sale for the new New Zealand rate. The $5 Twelve Apostles stamp from 2000 could be placed back on sale, as happened with the 2000 $4.50 Flinders Ranges stamp a couple of years ago. However, Australia Post's website does not list a $5.00 stamp as being currently on sale, although reprints of the stamp continue to be made.

New 'Issue Collection' Packs Available from Australia Post's Online Shop

With the release of the Husky issue for the Australian Antarctic Territory, Australia Post appears to be  selling a two new 'Issue Collection' packs.

The 'Issue Collection Standard' includes the stamps, first day cover, maximum cards and stamp pack; while the 'Issue Collection' includes one of everything released for the collection (stamps, miniature sheet, both first day covers, maximum cards, stamp pack and gutter strips).

No doubt these are designed to make ordering online easier, but I wonder how the contents of the packs were decided upon. The 'Standard' packs contents are particular curious as the only inclusion of the miniature sheet is in the pack.

It will be interesting to see if future issues will include 'Issue Collection' packs.

Australia Post proposes increasing domestic letter rate to 70c

In an effort to recoup losses on its letter business, Australia Post is proposing to increase the 60c rate to 70c rate (from 31 March 2014). The proposal needs approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Government.

More information can be found at: ABC News Report

New Australian Stamps to celebrate Ashes Victory

Australia Post will celebrate Australia's 5-0 Ashes victory with two stamps to be issued on 20 January.

More information, including product information as it becomes available is available on Stampboards