stamp bulletin - Australia Post Shop

Christmas 2001
Our Christmas 2001 issue features a modern
interpretation of the late medieval illuminated
manuscript, the Wharncliffe Hours.
The designs by Beth McKinlay and Symone
Lambert of Australia Post’s Design Studio build
on four exquisite miniatures from the manuscript.
By using contemporary typography and
design they have brought the traditional
Christmas images into the modern era.
The stamps
Adoration of the Magi
The miniature of the Adoration of the Magi,
showing the three wise men offering the Christ
child precious gifts, relates to Matthew 2, 1-11.
Flight into Egypt
This miniature relates to Matthew 2, 13-15. It
shows Joseph leading an ass bearing the Virgin
Mary and Christ child as they escape from
Judaea into Egypt.
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Maximum cards
2001
2001
Christmas 2001
Country
1 November 2001
The aerogramme
This design is also based on miniatures from the
Wharncliffe Hours. The illustration area shows
the Nativity. The stamp area shows the Virgin
holding the baby Jesus. This image is taken from
the initial ‘O’ of the prayer to the Virgin which
begins ‘Obsecro Te’ (I beseech thee).
Further reading
Margaret Manion, The Wharncliffe Hours,
Thames & Hudson, London 1981.
The Wharncliffe Hours
This illuminated manuscript from late fifteenth century France
is one of the treasures of the National Gallery of Victoria,
Melbourne.
The manuscript focuses on prayers to the Virgin Mary,
which are organised into sections to be recited at the eight
canonical hours of the day. The book’s size, just 17.8 x 12.7
cm, allowed its pious owner to carry it for personal devotions.
The artist who painted the miniatures in this book is known
only by the name of Maître François. A well-known illuminator
of the time, Maître François decorated many other manuscripts
for members of the French nobility. The Wharncliffe Hours was
named for its later nineteenth century owner, the Earl of
Wharncliffe. The book was acquired by the National Gallery of
Victoria in 1920 with funds from the Felton Bequest.
Booklet of 20 x 40c
1 November 2001
Christmas
T
he Wharncliffe Hours, an illustrated prayer book dating from the late
fifteenth century, is one of the treasures of the National Gallery of Victoria,
Melbourne, acquired in 1920 with funds from the Felton Bequest. This illuminated
manuscript was made in France for the private devotions of an unknown patron.
The text was hand-written in a cursive Latin script on fine vellum, a thin, light
animal skin. Prayers to the Virgin Mary, to be recited at the eight canonical hours
of the day, form the basis of the textual devotions. This beautiful manuscript is
illuminated with forty-one detailed paintings or miniatures, the work of a
celebrated artist known as the Maître François.
Details of two miniatures from the Wharncliffe Hours,
depicting the Adoration of the Magi and
the Flight into Egypt, appear on the stamps.
2001
Stamp pack
Christmas 2001
First day cover
Technical details
Issue date ..........................1 November 2001
Denominations....................One x 40c, one x 45c
Designer ............................Beth McKinlay (stamps) and
Symone Lambert (aerogramme)
Australia Post Design Studio
Printing process ..................Lithography
Printer (gummed) ................Tullis Russell
Paper (gummed) ................McPhersons
Printer (self-adhesive)..........SNP Ausprint
Paper (self-adhesive) ..........JAC B100
Printer (aerogramme) ..........PMP Print
Stamp size..........................26 x 37.5
Perforations........................14.60 x 13.86
Special features ..................20 ‘card only’ labels in booklet
Sheet layout........................Modules of 50, two panes of 25
National postmark ..............Kings Meadows TAS 7249
Mail order codes
1232067 Stamps (one x 40c, one x 45c)................$0.85
1232001 First day cover ......................................$1.15
1232182 Booklet (twenty x 40c) ............................$8.00
1232126 Stamp pack ..........................................$1.30
1232220 Maximum cards ....................................$2.35
1232155 Aerogramme ........................................$0.78
..No special text or design in gutter strips listed below
1232240 Set of gutter strips (ten x 40c, ten x 45c) [MO]$8.50
1232241 Gutter strip (ten x 40c) ..........................$4.00
1232242 Gutter strip (ten x 45c)............................$4.50
2001
Australian Philatelic Federation
Santa Card
Funds generated by this project are shared
between the Australian Philatelic Federation
and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(Hunter Region).
The Australian Philatelic Federation 2001
Santa Card depicts Santa delivering gifts.
Australia Post’s Christmas 2001 stamp will
be affixed to cards and cancelled with a
Christmas Hills pictorial postmark featuring
Santa. Cards will not be posted until after 1
December 2001.
Fully serviced cards may be sent
• as a postcard, personalised with the recipient’s
name ($2.00 each)
• blank, enclosed in a separate cover ($2.50 each)
• or airmail to overseas addresses ($3.00 each).
Payment from
within Australia
By personal cheque or postal money order (stamps are
not accepted as payment)
overseas
By bank draft in Australian currency.
Or by credit card (Mastercard or VISA) Minimum purchase
of $5.00 for credit card purchase. (No stamps or
international reply coupons accepted as payment)
Send orders with payment to
Santa Card
C/- Post Office
WALLSEND NSW 2287
Be sure to include the recipient’s name, and complete
postal address with your order.
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