1853 Imperforate Issue First Stamp of Tasmania Australia
The fist stamp of Van Diemen’s land Tasmania Australia was the 1853 Queen Victoria 1d Blue and 4d Orange.
Tasmania, previously known as Van Dieman’s Land around the same time, was the colony of the worst convicts who were banished there to die, but didn’t and the island state thrived. However, compared to the other states of Australia is was less populated and therefore had much less stamps produced than the other states and this to me, is what makes them highly collectible and cherished if you come across them. The catalogue prices also reflect the rarity of some of these stamps.
There were two issues of this stamp, the 1d Blue and the 4d Orange released on 1 November 1853 and continued in production and circulation through 1854 and 1855. Although Tasmania’s name changed from Van Diemen’s land in 1852, the stamps had been designed and produced and so were used as such until the newly named colony stamps could be designed and distributed. This trend continued through to January 1858. Therefore, the Van Diemen’s Land stamps are highly collectible as a piece of important history.
At time of writing a mint stamp is valued at $15,000.00 (used $1,250) for a 1d Blue and the 4d Orange is at $8,750.00 (used $425.00).
The first issue depicts a right facing profile of Queen Victoria on the 1d Blue encircled within the Van Diemen’s land circle
The 4d Orange depicts the same profile of Queen Victoria with more detailed artwork encircling the image. These stamps vary greatly in condition and colour as the dyes used were not stable and over time have changed markedly.
The collectability for these stamps lies in varying colours and there are several classifications of colour including orange, pale orange, reddish orange, yellow orange etc.
The total number of these stamps produced is unknown but suggested to be small which raises the value of the stamp. It is highly collectible for this reason and a prized possession in anyone’s collection of Australian Stamp Stamps,
