Relive those wonderful sporting moments through an amazing collection of Commonwealth Games Stamps from around the world.
A free exhibition to be hosted by Australia Post during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games promises to provide a unique insight into the history of the event as told through stamps from around the world. Featuring original artwork, photographs, designs and philatelic rarities from Australia Post’s National Philatelic Collection, “Golden Moments – The Stamps of the Commonwealth Games” records the philatelic history of the Commonwealth Games since their inception in 1930.
The exhibition runs from 18 February to 30 April at the Postmaster Gallery, Ground Floor, Australia Post Head Office, 321 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. Entry is free.
“This is a truly remarkable way to explore the history of the Commonwealth Games,and Australia Post encourages visitors experience this remarkable free exhibition,” stated Mr Noel Leahy, Group Manager Philatelic, Australia Post. The Golden Moments exhibition displays how the Commonwealth Games have been
marked by stamps in Australia and other countries. The exhibition also showcases the Commonwealth of Nations, a distinctive global association of countries sharing
common political origins.
Some of the highlights of the exhibition include:
•Rarely-seen proofs of the stamps of the 1962 Perth Games.
•Original pencil sketches of the 26 different pictorial postmarks provided for the temporary post offices established at venues for the 1962 Games.
•Memorabilia relating to the 1938, 1962 and 1982 Games held in Australia - including a set of 32 ‘redhead’ matchbox labels featuring events in the 1962 Games.
•Original artwork and full sheets of stamps issued for the 1962 Perth and 1982 Brisbane Games.
All four Games hosted in Australia have been recognized in a philatelic manner, beginning with a single postmark in 1938 and culminating in an ambitious stamp program in 2006 to honour every Australian athlete and team to win a gold medal.
This instant stamp program, which is the centre piece of Australia Post’s product range for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, will be exhibited in the foyer of the Australia Post building from 8 March to 31 March 2006.