Australia 2004 "Bon Voyage" Advertising Posters for Ocean Liners
- Issue Date: 1 June 2004
- Designed by: Melinda Coombs
- Printed by: SNP Sprint
- Print Process: Lithography
- Dimensions: 26mm x 37.5mm
Description
The stamps and associated products in this Bon Voyage issue beautifully capture the mystique and allure of 20th century ocean liner travel to and from Australia. The designs draw on stylish artwork from original advertising posters to evoke the romance and excitement associated with ocean travel.
The four stamps in this issue give us a glimpse of tourist ships in the early to mid 20th century. Many fabulous posters were designed from the 1920s advertising the delights of ocean travel. During this period Australia was a destination for many, including migrants and more adventurous travellers from Europe. At the same time Australians were increasingly travelling abroad, particularly to the United Kingdom.
Stamps
Sheet Stamps
- Perforations: 14½ x 14
- Format: sheets of 50 (two panes of 25)
50c Shaw Savill Lines Stamp
The Dominion Monarch was one of the Shaw Savill Lines’ principal ships. Built in the late 1930s, it remained in service until 1962. The poster was illustrated by W. McDowell (c.1939-40) and is from the collection of the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) in Sydney.
$1 Union Steam Ship Co. Stamp
The Awatea was launched in 1936 and plied the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand for the Union Steam Ship Co.. At the outbreak of World War II it was drafted into war service as a troop carrier and was attacked and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea in 1942. The poster by Fowler is from the National Library of Australia (NLA) collection.
$1.45 Orient Line Stamp
The Ormonde and Orsova, built for the Orient Line in 1917 and 1909 respectively, were both converted to ‘one class’ vessels in 1933. Orsova was broken up in 1936. The Ormonde was requisitioned as a troopship in 1939. It returned to commercial service in 1947 as an emigrant vessel to Australia until sold in 1952. The poster was illustrated by Walter Jardine and it is from the ANMM collection in Sydney.
$2 Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line Stamp
The Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line, which was formed in 1933, operated five vessels known as ‘The Bays’ – Moreton Bay, Hobsons Bay, Jervis Bay, Largs Bay and Esperance Bay. The line ceased after the last of these ships was scrapped in 1957. The poster was illustrated by E.V. Kealey and is from the NLA collection.
Self-adhesive Stamps
50c Booklet Stamp
- Perforations: serpentine die cut 11½ x 11¼
- Format: booklets of 10
50c Sheetlet Stamp
- Issue date: 22 February 2005
- Perforations: serpentine die cut 11½ x 11¼ syncopated horizontally
- Format: sheetlets of 10
Booklet
Sheetlet
- Issued for Pacific Explorer 2005 World Stamp Expo, Sydney, Australia
- Issue date: 22 February 2005
First Day Cover
The first day of issue postmark was Port Melbourne VIC 3207. First day covers for the self-adhesive varieties were not officially produced.
Maximum Cards
