First Australian State Stamp The Sydney Views – New South Wales

Contrary to what Google refers to as the first Australian stamp, there were hundreds issued prior to Federation of Australia in the Australian States. The first was in New South Wales, released 1 January 1850 and other states soon followed as they grew. Sydney was the largest colony and is most need of a stamp following along from Britain’s example of the Penny Black.

In comparison to stamps that followed, it is a crude drawing representing industry as a female, directing convicts to honourable labour in the colonies such as ploughing and farming. It also depicts the seal of colony derived in 1792. Above shows the 1d (penny) stamp which was for postage that was within the colony.

There were two other releases, 2d Blue which was for postage anywhere in the country and 3d Green for postage oversease via ship.

As this is the first stamp from the country before it was federated it is highly collected and very hard to come by. Catalogue guide is $17,000 for unused and $475 for used specimen of the 1d Red/Orange. Catalogue prices vary wildly so use these as a guide only. As always the market is the market and will always decided what the value is.

Elements

The shading of the stamp is highly collectible with examples from orange to deep red and everything in between. It is the shading and cancels of the stamps, particularly on colony covers, that make this stamp more valuable to collectors.

The second printing depicted clouds into the image and is far more red than the initial orange/red issue. There is also a version without trees is regarded as the most collectable and valuable of the series. There aren’t any numbers regarding the amount of these printed so no-one really knows how many are available.

None of these stamps were perforated and as with all stamps of this type, the way it has been cut and centered also plays into the value of the stamp.

The 2d Blue has many variations in colour and printing quality is very inconsistent.

The 3d is lighter green and crude in its printing quality and from the examples I have seen may not have gone through a second printing run.

The “Sydney Views” stamps of New South Wales, including the first stamp issued in 1850, were designed by James W. S. Campbell. Campbell was a professional engraver who worked for the Surveyor General’s Department in Sydney. His design featured a view of Sydney Cove with a sailing ship, which was considered an appropriate and recognizable image to represent the colony. The design was lithographed by J. Carmichael, a lithographer in Sydney.

James W. S. Campbell was an important figure in the early postal history of New South Wales, Australia, due to his role in designing the colony’s first postage stamps, known as the “Sydney Views” series. While there is limited detailed biographical information available about Campbell, here are some key points about his life and career:

1. Professional Background:
   • James W. S. Campbell was a professional engraver and lithographer. His specific training and early career details before arriving in Australia are not well-documented.
   • He worked for the Surveyor General’s Department in Sydney, which provided him with the opportunity to be involved in designing the colony’s first postage stamps.
2. Contribution to the “Sydney Views” Stamps:
   • Campbell is best known for designing the “Sydney Views” series of postage stamps, which were issued on January 1, 1850. This was the first stamp issue for New South Wales and one of the earliest stamp issues in the Australian colonies.
   • The designs he created depicted views of Sydney, including the iconic 1d (one penny) stamp featuring a scene of Sydney Cove with a ship in the harbor.
   • His designs were lithographed by John Carmichael, who was responsible for the actual printing of the stamps.
3. Artistic Style and Legacy:
   • Campbell’s work on the “Sydney Views” stamps is noted for its artistic merit and attention to detail. The stamps were highly regarded for their aesthetic quality and were an important step in establishing a functional postal system in New South Wales.
   • His contributions helped set a standard for future stamp designs in the colony and played a role in the broader history of philately in Australia.
4. Limited Historical Records:
   • There is limited detailed information available about Campbell’s personal life and career outside of his work on the “Sydney Views” stamps. This is not uncommon for individuals from this time period, especially those whose primary recognition comes from specific professional achievements.

Despite the scarcity of detailed personal information, James W. S. Campbell’s role in designing the first postage stamps of New South Wales ensures that he is remembered as a significant figure in the history of Australian philately. His artistic contributions to the “Sydney Views” stamps are celebrated by collectors and historians alike.

4o

The “Sydney Views” stamps were printed by John Carmichael, a lithographer based in Sydney. Carmichael was responsible for producing the lithographic stones used to print these stamps, making him a key figure in the creation of the first stamps of New South Wales. His work involved transferring the designs created by James W. S. Campbell onto the printing stones and then printing the stamps.

John Carmichael (1803-1857) was a prominent engraver and lithographer in early colonial Australia. Born in Scotland, Carmichael emigrated to Australia in the early 1830s and quickly established himself as a skilled craftsman in Sydney.

Here are some key points about his life and career:

1. Early Life and Emigration:
   • Born in 1803 in Scotland, Carmichael trained as an engraver before emigrating to Australia around 1825.
   • He settled in Sydney and set up a business as an engraver and lithographer.
2. Professional Career:
   • Carmichael became one of the leading engravers in New South Wales. He was known for his detailed and high-quality work.
   • He produced various types of engraved works, including maps, illustrations for books, commercial stationery, and, most notably, postage stamps.
   • His work was crucial for the production of the first postage stamps of New South Wales, known as the “Sydney Views” series, issued in 1850. He was responsible for preparing the lithographic stones and printing the stamps, based on designs by James W. S. Campbell.
3. Sydney Views Stamps:
   • Carmichael’s contribution to the “Sydney Views” stamps was significant. These stamps were among the first to be issued in the Australian colonies, and they helped establish the postal system in New South Wales.
   • His lithographic skills ensured that the stamps were of high quality and could be produced in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of the growing colony.
4. Later Life and Legacy:
   • Carmichael continued to work as an engraver and lithographer until his death in 1857. His work left a lasting impact on the development of printing and engraving in Australia.
   • He is remembered for his role in producing the early postage stamps of New South Wales, which are highly valued by philatelists and historians today.

Carmichael’s work remains a testament to the early days of the postal service in Australia and the craftsmanship involved in producing some of the country’s first postage stamps.

The “Sydney Views” stamps were issued in several denominations and versions. The primary versions of the stamp included the following denominations:

1. 1 penny (1d): Red
2. 2 pence (2d): Blue
3. 3 pence (3d): Green

Each denomination featured a different view or aspect of Sydney, and variations can be found in terms of color shades and printing quality due to the lithographic process used. These variations are of particular interest to philatelists (stamp collectors), who classify them based on differences in design details, color shades, and other printing anomalies.

the original “Sydney Views” stamps did undergo several alterations and reprints. The stamps were reissued with slight modifications to the designs and colors. These changes were often made to improve the printing quality or to address issues with the original plates.

The initial issues had some flaws and inconsistencies, leading to the need for new lithographic stones and subsequent reprints. As a result, there are several recognized varieties of the “Sydney Views” stamps, each differing slightly in design details, color shades, and other characteristics. Collectors often seek out these different varieties due to their historical significance and the insight they provide into early stamp production techniques in Australia.

Here are some specific details on the alterations and reprints:

1. Design Modifications: Some of the designs were refined to correct printing flaws and to produce clearer images.
2. Color Changes: The shades of the colors used for printing the stamps sometimes varied between print runs.
3. Printing Stones: New lithographic stones were prepared as the old ones wore out or when errors needed to be corrected, leading to slight variations in the printed stamps.

These alterations and reprints are well-documented and add to the rich history of the “Sydney Views” stamps.

The “Sydney Views” stamps went through several changes and reprints during the early 1850s. Here are the key dates and details:

1. January 1, 1850: The first issue of the “Sydney Views” stamps was released. This included the 1d (red), 2d (blue), and 3d (green) denominations. These initial stamps were printed using lithographic stones prepared by John Carmichael.
2. March 1850: Shortly after the initial release, a new printing was made with some slight modifications to the designs. This was mainly due to the wear and tear on the original lithographic stones.
3. July 1850: A significant reissue occurred, where the designs were re-engraved to improve clarity and correct some of the initial flaws. This reissue included the 1d, 2d, and 3d stamps.
4. Late 1850: Additional reprints were made due to the ongoing demand for postage stamps. These reprints sometimes featured variations in color and printing quality.

Each of these printings and reissues can be identified by philatelists through careful examination of design details, color shades, and other characteristics. The numerous reprints and changes make the “Sydney Views” stamps a fascinating area of study for stamp collectors and historians.

The “Sydney Views” stamps of New South Wales exhibit notable color variations, which are of particular interest to philatelists. These variations occurred due to multiple printings and the use of different lithographic stones over time. Here are some details on the color variations for each denomination:

1. 1 Penny (1d) Red:
   • Initial Issue (January 1, 1850): The primary color was a bright red.
   • Reprints: Various shades of red, from pale to deep red, are found in subsequent printings.
2. 2 Pence (2d) Blue:
   • Initial Issue (January 1, 1850): The primary color was a clear blue.
   • Reprints: Shades ranged from light blue to deep blue. Some printings showed a tendency toward greenish-blue due to ink variations.
3. 3 Pence (3d) Green:
   • Initial Issue (January 1, 1850): The primary color was a yellow-green.
   • Reprints: Variations include olive-green and deep green. Some stamps exhibit a more bluish-green hue.

The color variations were largely due to the following factors:

• Ink Mixes: Different batches of ink produced slightly different colors.
• Printing Conditions: Variations in printing pressure, ink application, and the condition of the lithographic stones contributed to color differences.
• Aging: Over time, exposure to light and environmental conditions caused some colors to fade or change.

These color variations are essential for identifying specific printings and reprints of the “Sydney Views” stamps, making them a valuable aspect for collectors and historians studying the early postal history of New South Wales.

There isn’t a comprehensive record detailing the exact number of each “Sydney Views” stamp printed, but some estimates and historical records provide a rough idea of the quantities. The early colonial postal administrations did not keep meticulous records of print runs, and many of the detailed records that did exist have been lost or were never documented in detail.

However, based on historical research and surviving documents, rough estimates have been made:

1. 1 Penny (1d) Red:
   • Estimates suggest that several hundred thousand of these stamps were printed across multiple print runs from 1850 to 1851.
2. 2 Pence (2d) Blue:
   • Similar to the 1d red stamp, it is estimated that several hundred thousand 2d blue stamps were printed over the same period.
3. 3 Pence (3d) Green:
   • The 3d green stamps had fewer print runs compared to the 1d and 2d stamps, so the quantities are generally lower. Estimates suggest that around 100,000 to 200,000 of these stamps were printed.

These estimates can vary, and the actual numbers might be different due to factors such as reprints, changes in printing techniques, and the survival rate of the stamps over time. Collectors and researchers often rely on studying the stamps themselves, along with any available archival information, to piece together a more accurate picture of the quantities produced.

My Opinion

This is still a great example of ingenuity in the colonies. Although the design began as a crude drawing, there was no telling at that point in time, how valuable and sought after stamps would become. It was to serve a purpose in administration and it wasn’t until a few years later that much more effort was begun to be put into the state stamps, many of them taking pride in elements inherent to their territory.