Stamp Show Products now Available online

One of my pet hates with Australia Post mail order has been that miniature sheets produced for overseas shows were only available by phoning up mail order, and having to pay the extra $5 handling fee. Thankfully, Australia Post has listened to reason, and as predicted are now selling show products online.

The first product available is the $1.40 Koala miniature sheet for the China Stamp Show, with the Hong Kong sheet hopefully to follow.

Update (5 November 2015): Australia Post has confirmed the printer of the Beijing and Hong Kong show sheets is RA Printing. The original Koala stamp is printed by Ego, so this is the first time this stamp has been printed by RA Printing. Likewise the Tram stamp will be new (original is printed by McKellar Renown).

Three Personalised Stamps™ Available with Christmas 2015 Issue

Following on from last year, three more Christmas stamps have been added to the Personalised Stamps™ range. The sheet with the Present stamp, also includes the 65c Dove stamp (again there is likely to be 9 of one design, and 11 of the other). The printer, perforations and phosphor tagging are expected to be the same as before, but will be confirmed once the stamps have been examined.

Readers are reminded that I will be splitting my sheets of Personalised Stamps™ up, and collectors who are interested in a set of three should contact me.

Draft designs (subject to approval by Australia Post)

Update (5 November 2015): In a surprise change of printers, the base sheets are printed by RA Printing, rather than McKellar Renown. This might be due to the small quantities required.
Update (9 November 2015): Appears Australia Post has rejected by designs. I will redesign them and resubmit.

Alvin and the Chipmunks Pack

Readers of the latest Stamp Bulletin would have noticed the Chipmunks pack containing two sheetlets of 10 x 65c Christmas Present stamps and 10 tabs.

The format of these sheets is similar to those in the past, and for specialised collectors results in the a new variety. While it is has not be confirmed it is likely that the printer will be RA Printing (Ego Print printed the regular sheet stamps).

Update (5 November 2015): Australia Post has confirmed these stamps are printed by RA Printing.

Stamp Show Souvenirs Available Online Soon?

First seen this morning the Australia Post webshop has a new section for 'Stamp Show Products'. At the moment the listing is empty, as are the Christmas pages. Hopefully products will be uploaded for purchase from tomorrow, when the Christmas issue is available.

New Ordering System for Limited Edition Impressions™ Items

To avoid the problems in the past with phone ins and people placing multiple orders etc., Australia Post has started a new system where collectors can register their interest in buying a product, and purchasers will be selected at random.

Collectors can register at: https://auspostlimitededitions.com.au/

Registrations closed on 1 November 2015, and collectors will be advised within 5-10 days of the closing date whether they have been successful.

Registrations were extended until 3 November due to distribution problems with the Impressions catalogue to customers in Western Australia.

Victoria Cross Miniature Sheet Collection ($49.95)

This collection contains six imperforate Victoria Cross miniature sheet:

• four with foiled Sydney Stamp Expo postmarks (one for each of the four days)
• an imperforate version, similar to the one sold at the show, but without the show's logo
• a laser cut version (more information to follow)

Limited to: 120 packs

Sheet size: Same as original

Printer: Unknown

Printing Process: Unknown

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper

Special features: To be advised

Available from: 2 November 2015

AE2 Commemorative Pack ($69.95)
Marking the centenary of the AE2, this pack contains three pre-stamped envelopes, and postage paid postcard and an imperforate miniature sheet containing six 70c Submarine stamps.

Limited to: 120 packs

Sheet size: Unknown

Printer: RA Printing

Printing Process: Unknown

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper

Special features: Unknown

Available from: 2 November 2015

Update 1 (5 November 2015): Printer added to the AE2 pack.

Impressions™ 2015: The Final Items

Christmas 2015 Foiled Pack

Again Australia Post is issuing a limited edition foiled stamp pack containing this year's Christmas stamps.

The miniatures in the pack are (each sells for $49.95):

• Three sheets containing a block of four of the gummed stamps with foiled designs.
• A sheet containing four foiled self-adhesive stamps (2 x Present, 2 x Dove (65c and $1.70)).

Limited to: 500 packs

Sheet size: Unknown

Printer: Unknown

Printing Process: Unknown

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper and self-adhesive

Special features: Each stamp is embellished

Availability date: 30 October 2015

Era of Sail Prestige Booklet ($29.95)

The write up for this prestige booklet makes the contents unclear. It is likely to contain four gummed panes featuring each stamp in a block of four, and a pane printed on silk with self-adhesive gum containing all four stamps.

Limited to: 500 booklets

Sheet size: Unknown

Printer: Unknown

Printing Process: Unknown

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper and self-adhesive

Special features: Self-adhesive stamps are printed on silk

Availability date: 26 October 2015

Era of Sail Gold Foiled Stamps ($99.00)

Lastly, the usual gold foiled stamps this year reproduce the Era of Sail stamps. These gold foil stamps are valid for postage, but at almost $25 a stamp, you'd never use them!

Limited to: 250 collections

Stamp size: 37.5 mm x 26 mm

Printer: Unknown

Printing Process: Unknown

Paper: Unknown

Special features: Gold foiling

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 (30 October 2015): Changed availability date of Christmas Pack to 30 October 2015, reflecting the first day this went on sale.

Impressions™ 2015: More Coin and Miniature Sheet Packs

Last year Australia Post joined with Perth Mint to release three gold coin and imperforate miniature sheet packs; and again the two have joined up again.

The three packs are (each sells for $89.00):

• 45c Kangaroo stamp and Perth Mint coin (coin sold at $59.50 by Perth Mint)
• 49c Wedge-tailed Eagle stamp and Perth Mint coin (coin sold at $59.50 by Perth Mint)
• 45c Koala stamp and Perth Mint coin (coin sold at $59.50 by Perth Mint)

Limited to: 75 of each pack

Sheet size: Unknown

Printer: Unknown

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

Paper: Ordinary gummed paper

Special features: Each design is imperforate, and includes a micro printed '2015' date

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.