Someone asked me recently what this stamp was and why if its an Australian stamps, does it says Hong Kong on it?This is what's called a counter printed stamp or CPS. These stamps had the value printed on the stamps at the Post Office counter depending on what postage was required for different parcel weights etc. The name - the literal - indicated where these were printed so come with Melbourne, Brisbane etc. CPSs were also issued at stamps shows thus the literal 'Hong Kong 97'. Unfortunately, the machines to print these stamps at the counter were extremely unreliable and after a while many states refused to use them. CPSs come in two designs, Threatened Species and Australian Wildlife (the cute Koala illustrated is from this set.)
Having spent about an hour searching on Google for what CPS meant, I finally came across your blog. Many thanks indeed from a 'U.K. cousin' who doesn't do facebook, twitter or anything else. Too busy writing and publishing. However, when I delved a little further - happy days - I found out that you buy Australian Stamps and we've just had time (after moving) to look out all our Australian First Day Covers - many still sealed - from 1996 to 2000 plus a few Collectors Choices etc., We used to 'swap' U.K. ones with friends in Aus. so hope these may eventually be of interest to you. Will get a proper description together first :) There are a great many.
ReplyDeletePeta Rose
U.K.