Australia 2001 Federal Parliament Centenary
- Issue Date: 3 May 2001
- Designed by: Sadgrove Design Partners
- Printed by: SNP Ausprint
- Print Process: Lithography
- Perforations: 14¼
- Stamp Size: 35 mm x 35 mm
- Format: sheets of 50 (two panes of 25)
- Withdrawal date: 31 May 2002
Contents
Description
Federal Parliament 1901 - 2001 is the third and final issue in Australia Post’s federation series. The issue commemorates the centenary of the first Federal Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. In contrast to the first two issues in the series, which took a historical, narrative approach the third combines narrative and symbolic elements.
The design juxtaposes past and present, emphasising the continuity of the parliamentary tradition. The combined images show that Australia's modern parliamentary democracy is built upon the foundation of federation.
Stamps
A graphic representation of Parliament House’s flagpole appears on the stamps and associated products. This design element (silver metallic ink on the 45c stamp, gold on the $2.45 stamp) links historic and modern Australia.
45c Stamp
The top half of the stamp reproduces Charles Nuttall’s painting, The opening of the first Federal Parliament, 9 May 1901 (1902) from the Museums Victoria’s Collection.
$2.45 Stamp
The top half of this stamp reproduces Tom Roberts’ official pictorial record of the occasion, Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York, May 9, 1901. Roberts depicts the event as it would have been observed from an imaginary vantage point in the Royal Exhibition Building’s eastern transept.
Miniature Sheets
- Miniature sheet size: 160 mm x 75 mm
In recognition of the importance of this event Australia Post has produced two miniature sheets, one for each of the two stamps. The stamps are set in a wide silver or gold border (45c and $2.45 respectively) printed in metallic ink along the right and bottom sides of the miniature sheets.
First Day Covers
The first day of issue postmark was Melbourne VIC 3000.
Maximum Cards
Presentation Packs
Stamp Pack
Stamp and Coin Pack
This unique stamp and coin pack features a 1951 florin (2 shillings) struck to mark the 50th anniversary of federation. The pack also includes the uncirculated Centenary of Federation $1.00 coin and the two Federal Parliament 1901-2001 stamps (45c and $2.45), all gathered together in a specially designed souvenir pack.
