Fig 10

Fig 11

Fig 12

Fig 13

Fig 14

Introduction Of The Commonwealth Series.

The amalgamation of the several Colonial posts and telegraphs departments into the Commonwealth Postmaster-General's Department became effective on 1st March, 1901, and thereafter the control and issue of postage stamps became a responsibility of the new authority. While the circumstances of the time prevented the issue of a uniform postage stamp series, no obstacle was seen to the extension of use of the postage due stamp series to all States and this course was quickly adopted.

Arrangements were made through the Sydney office of the Department for the New South Wales Government Printing Office to produce a modified version of the current N.S.W. postage due stamps by omission of the letters "N.S.W." from the base of the design. This was actually effected by hand on the relevant plates. However, because of the time factor it was decided not to touch the 10/- and 20/- plates and consequently stamps of these denominations were not included in the new series. In some instances, the letters were not completely removed and traces of portions of the letters may be found on some stamps of all issued denominations.

While preparations for the stamps were in course, regulations regarding the use of postage due stamps were promulgated in the Commonwealth Government Gazette ^of 5th June, 1902. These regulations, which became operative from 30th June, 1902, were adapted from the similar regulations then in force in the United States Post Office.

The stamps were printed on the same paper being employed up to that time for the N.S.W. postage due series. When issued, supplies were distributed to all States except Victoria, as it had been decided to retain the Victorian type of postage due stamps for the time being in use in that State, because large quantities were still in stock. Some minor shade variations occurred but the most remarkable feature, considering the short period of usage of the series, was the variety of perforations.

First Series (Fig. 10).

July 1902. Letterpress-printed on chalk-surfaced paper watermarked as Fig. 9. Stamps in emerald green colour.

(a)        Perf. 11:            1d.

(b)        Perf. 11½:         ½d.

(c)        Perf. 12:            1d., 1d., 2d., 3d., 4d., 6d.

(d)        Perf. 11 x 11½:  1d., 2d., 6d., 5/-.

(e)        Perf. 11 x 12½:  ½d., 1d., 2d., 3d., 4d., 6d., 8d., 5/-.

Second Series:

 Simultaneously with the production of the provisional series, the New South Wales Government Printing Office was engaged in the making of new plates from modifications of the original wood engravings so that the blank white space caused by the removal of the letters "N.S.W." from the stamps would be filled by completion of the ornamental design, matching that shown at the top. The order for this series required provision to be made for the 10/- and 20/- stamps, earlier omitted, and for four new denominations: 5d., 10d., 1/- and 2/-. The issue of stamps of this series commenced immediately after the comparatively small supplies of the provisional series in their several denominations became exhausted, although complete distribution of all denominations was not effected until late in 1903. As before, a bewildering number of perforation variations occurred over the comparatively short period in which the series remained current. While the colour is generally to be described as emerald green, a number of minor shades occurred.

Second Series 1902 (Fig. 11).

Letterpress-printed on chalk-surfaced paper watermarked as Fig. 9. Stamps in emerald green colour.

(a)        Perf. 11:            ½d., 1d., 2d., 3d^., 4d., 5d., 6d., 1/-, 5/-, 10/-, 20/-.

(b)        Perf. 11½:         1d.

(c)           Perf. 12:  2d., 3d., 1/-, 2/-.

(d)           Perf. 11 x 11½:       ½ld., 1d., 2d., 4d.

(e)           Perf. 11 x 12:          ½d., 1d., 2d., 4d.

(f)            Perf. 11½ x 11:       4d.,, 5d., 8d., 2/-.

(g)           Perf. 11½ x 12:       5d.

(h)        Perf. 12 x 11:     ½d., 1d., 2d., 3d., 4d., 5d., 6d., 8d., 10d., 1/-, 2 - 5

(i)         Perf. 12 x 11½:  5d., 10d., 1/-, 2/-, 5/-.

 In July, 1903, following the appearance of the series in the modified New South Wales type, Mr. J.B. Cooke, then Commonwealth Stamp Printer at the G.P.O., Adelaide, submitted a proposal that a new uniform postage due series should be issued in the design shown at Fig. 12.  While consideration was given to this suggestion, it was not adopted.

Third Series:

 A new type of paper in which the watermark device comprised a crown over the letter "A" (Fig. 13) was introduced for use in New South Wales in 1905 and supplies of the lower values of the postage due series printed on this paper appeared first in 1906. However, because of large stocks of other values in earlier printings being on hand, the extent of this series was limited to stamps of the ½d., 1d., 2d., 3d., 4d. and 6d. denominations. Some shade variations occurred, and also differing perforation arrangements. 

Third Series 1906 (Fig. 11).

Letterpress-printed on chalk-surfaced paper watermarked as Fig.13 Stamps in emerald green colour.

(a)        Perf. 11:            1d, 4d.

(b)        Perf. 11 x 11½: 2d.

(c)        Perf. 11½ x 11:  ½d., 1d., 2d., 3d., 4d., 6d.

(d)        Perf. 12 x 11:     ½d., 1d., 2d., 4d.,

 Fourth Series:.

Due to a shortage of stamp paper about 1906, it was necessary for the N.S.W. Government Printer to obtain a supply of the Victorian type of paper (Fig. 6), and this was used for printings of six values of the postage due series, this group being issued in 1907. As the paper was ungummed, local gumming after printing was necessary.

Fourth Series 1907 (Fig. 11).

Letterpress-printed on chalk-surfaced paper watermarked as Fig. 6. Stamps in emerald green colour.

Perf. 11½ x 11:  ½d., 1d., 2d., 4d., 6d. 2

 Fifth Series:

 Because all values of the postage due series were printed in the same colour confusion sometimes arose between pence and shillings denominations, and it was decided on 31st March, 1908, to make a greater distinction by the insertion of a stroke and bar in the design of the shilling group. New plates were made and the issue of these stamps commenced later in the same year, although complete distribution of the series was not effected until early in 1909.

 Fifth Series 1908-09 (Fig. 14).

Letterpress-printed on chalk-surfaced paper watermarked as Fig.13. Stamps in green colour.

(a)        Perf. 11½ x 11:  1/-, 5/-. 2

(b)        Perf. 11:            2/-, 10/-, 20/-.

Extracted from APO Philatelic Bulletin no 67, August 1964