1850 First Stamp of New South Wales Pre-federation Australia – John Edward Gray – Philatelist – Critique

The first stamps of New South Wales became known in philatetic circles of the times as “The Sydney Stamps”. Below is an article that appeared in the Stamp Collector’s Magazine First Edition in 1863 by renowned Philatelist John Edward Gray of the British Museum. I found it quite interesting that the first mention that I found of these of stamps up to now wasn’t until 1863 when the stamp came out in 1850, a sign of the slowness of communication and innovation between the colonies and the homeland.

THE SYDNEY STAMPS 

BY Dr J.E. GRAY, F.R.S., F.L.S., F.Z.S., ETC OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM

In most catalogues the Sydney stamps are regarded as one type, offering three different values of different colours. If they are carefully examined, it will be found that each value present a very different type, each having variations, according to the different

issues. These stamps are peculiar. It is a view of the sea coast, with a church in the distance,and a group of figures in the foreground,

in a circle surrounded by a band inscribed, Sig. Nov. Camb.Aust.; and on the lower part of the circular disc, under the view, is a motto. This motto has been a difficulty,—as it is rarely to be seen distinctly on tbe stamps as they appear in our collections. Lacroix, in his catalogue, gives it as. Sic fortis curia crevit, which it certainly is not. In my catalogue, I read it. Sic fortis et rudis crevit, which is also incorrect. I believe it is a line of aLatin poet, ‘ Sic fortis etruria crevit.^

I. In the red one penny stamps the frames on the sides are double, the letters are white, and the motto is in two lines, and the spandrils, or angle between the circle and tbe oblong frame, are granulated. Of this I have seen three variations.

1. Has the inner frame with large pale reticulations, and the outer frame is formed of narrow red and white oblique bars.

2. The inner frame of smaller reticulations, and the red bars of the outer frame are nearly horizontal and wider. Camb. in the inscription begins at the right- band angle of the left lower spandril.

3. Like 2, but Camb. in the inscription begins rather above the middle of the left lowe spandril. 

I have been informed there is a stamp of this type with horizontal lines in the spandril, and should like to see one, if it occurs in the collection of any reader. It shall be faithfully returned if desired.

II. The blue twopenny stamps. 

The frame on the side is single and formed of oblique engine-turned spiral lines. The motto is in three lines, the letters are white. Of this type I have seen four varieties.

1. The stamp very badly executed; the spandrils white.

2. Like No. 1, but the spandrils with distant irregular perpendicular lines.

3. The stamp much better executed spandrils with close perpendicular lines. 

4. The stamp like No. 3, equally well executed, but the spandrils are shaded

with close straight and waved horizontal lines. 

III. The olive-green threepenny stamps are like the blue twopenny ones in many respects. The frame is single and the motto in three lines, but the letters are dark on a pale ground,

and the side frames are formed of engine turned transverse oblong lines. I have only seen one kind of this stamp, which has the spandril shaded with close rather waved horizontal lines, but I have reason to believe there are others, and shall be glad to receive any that may occur to any collector of the stamps, to be examined.

P.S.—In a note from Major Christie, the postmaster at Sydney, he says the ^picture

stamp is the first stamp that was used in the

colony. It was an imitation of the great

seal of the colony, with its motto. Sic fortis etruria crevit. They are no longer used.