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Australia

Stamps issued: 1913-PRESENT

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2sh-6p brown Aborigine single
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2-pound Kangaroo and Map single
 

An island continent between the Pacific and Indian oceans, southeast of Asia. British settlement began in the late 18th century, with six colonies developing — New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Each of these states initially issued its own stamps. These colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia on Jan. 1, 1901, although each continued to issue its own stamps for a number of years. Australia has rich natural resources and, since World War II, has developed into one of the major economic powers of the region. It has maintained close ties with the United States since 1945, although in recent years Japan has replaced the United States as Australia's main economic partner. Australia administers a number of island groups in the South Pacific and plays a leading role in the region.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

Precedent Countries:


NEW SOUTH WALES
Stamps issued: 1850-1907

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2sh6p Consumptives Home single

Former British crown colony in southeast Australia. In 1901, New South Wales merged into the Commonwealth of Australia.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

QUEENSLAND
Stamps issued: 1859-1901

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£1 Queen Victoria single

A state in northeast Australia. A British crown colony from 1859-1901, Queensland joined with five other British colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Stamps issued: 1855-1912

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2 1/2p Kangaroo single

A state of Australia, occupying the south-central part of the continent. South Australia was a British colony from 1836 to 1901, when it joined with five other colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

TASMANIA
Stamps issued: 1855-1912

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5p Lake St. Clair single

Island off the southeastern coast of Australia. A dependency of the British colony of New South Wales from 1803 to 1825, the island became the colony of Van Dieman's Land in 1825. In 1856, the name of the colony was changed to Tasmania, and in 1901, it joined with the mainland colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

VICTORIA
Stamps issued: 1850-1912

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6p Victoria single

A state in southeastern Australia. Detached from New South Wales in 1851, Victoria joined the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Stamps issued: 1854-1912

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1p Swan single

A large state of western Australia. Formerly a separate colony, Western Australia joined in forming the Commonwealth of Australia in January 1901.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

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