The “Kangaroo and Map” stamps were the first postage stamps to be produced by the Commonwealth of Australia. They were released on the 2nd of January 1913.
The Australian colonies federated as the Commonwealth of Australia on the 1st of January 1901; however, it took twelve years for the first nationwide stamps to be produced. Prior to the appearance of the Kangaroo and Map stamps in 1913, each state printed its own stamps.
Two lists are included here:
1) Articles about the Kangaroo and Map stamps
2) Postcards with Kangaroo and Map stamps
See also: “The Kangaroo and Map stamps (1913)”
An IAC article about the origins of these unique and iconic stamps. The article includes images of the various denominations of the Kangaroo and Map postage stamps.
Articles about the Kangaroo and Map stamps:
Various articles relating to the “Kangaroo and Map” stamps.
(Arranged in chronological order.)
The announcement of a design competition for the first nationwide stamp for Australia. Published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (Melbourne, Vic.).
[It is to be hoped] [4 April 1912]
An untitled article, critical of the draft Kangaroo and Map stamp. Published in The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.).
Commonwealth stamp: The new design [4 April 1912]
A short article about the origin of the Kangaroo and Map stamp. Published in The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.).
The Commonwealth stamp: Enthusiastic Mr. Frazer: “When the people get used to it” [11 April 1912]
A short article about Charlie Frazer (Postmaster-General) and the draft Kangaroo and Map stamp. Published in The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW).
[The Commonwealth Ministry does not shine as a star in the field of art] [1 May 1912]
An untitled article, critical of the draft Kangaroo and Map stamp. Published in The Bookfellow (Sydney, NSW).
[The Commonwealth Postage Stamp] [January 1913]
A short untitled article, critical of the Kangaroo and Map stamp. Published in the Journal of Proceedings (of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects) (Melbourne, Vic.).
Society [30 January 1913]
These items are extracts from the “Society” section in The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW), including a brief anecdote about the Kangaroo and Map stamps.
Making a nation ridiculous [by Professor Tucker, 1 March 1913]
An article by Professor Thomas George Tucker, criticising the Kangaroo and Map stamp. Published in The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.).
[From Greek literature to the new Australian postage stamp] [23 April 1913]
An untitled article, reporting on remarks made by Alexander Leeper (principal of Trinity College), criticising the Kangaroo and Map stamp. Published in The Age (Melbourne, Vic.).
Concerning a stamp [17 July 1913]
An article, giving a lukewarm defence of the Kangaroo and Map stamp, and being critical of the King George V stamp. Published in The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW).
Phil Ately [re the Kangaroo and Map stamps, 29 April 1931]
A letter to The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW), from Phil Ately, critical of the Kangaroo and Map stamp. The name “Phil Ately” is a pseudonym which is a play upon words re “philately” (the study of stamps).
Australian Commonwealth: Kangaroo issues [1964]
The historical background of the Kangaroo and Map stamp (extracts from The Australian Stamp Catalogue, 1964).
Postcards with Kangaroo and Map stamps:
(Arranged in chronological order.)
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of a Sydney street scene, dated (and postmarked) 3 April 1913.
A loving greeting [postcard, 15 April 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates an illustration of some flowers, postmarked 15 April 1913.
Have you ever had a dream like this [postcard, 15 April 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates an illustration of a successful gambler sitting at a gambling table, postmarked 15 April 1913.
Flinders Lane, Melbourne [postcard, 26 April 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of a Melbourne street scene, dated 26 April 1913 (postmarked 30 April 1913). The handwritten text is in French (a translation is given).
Sydney Town Hall [postcard, 20 June 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of the Town Hall in Sydney, dated (and postmarked) 20 June 1913.
Dee from Invercauld [postcard, 28 August 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates an illustration of a view of the River Dee from the Invercauld Bridge (Scotland), dated 28 August 1913 (postmarked 29 August 1913).
Torrens Lake, Adelaide [postcard, 9 October 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of people in boats on Torrens Lake (Adelaide, SA), dated 9 October 1913.
My Darling Mother [postcard, 25 October 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of a man sitting outside of a tent in a rural setting, postmarked 25 October 1913.
Dear Ethel [postcard, 7 November 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates an illustration of some flowers, postmarked 7 November 1913.
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of the Bridal Veil Falls (Leura, NSW), postmarked 15 December 1913.
Coogee Beach [postcard, 24 December 1913]
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of Coogee Beach (NSW), dated and postmarked 24 December 1913.
Long Beach, near Hobart [postcard, 9 February 1914]
A postcard, which incorporates a photo of Long Beach (Tas.), postmarked 9 February 1914.
Updated 5 February 2023
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