Australia Post New Marks Centennial of Flights Around the Continent

Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3 and a coastal route map
De Havilland D.H.50 G-AUAB aircraft and the inland route map

On May 21, 2024, Australia Post issued a set of two stamps depicting a seaplane and landplane and the flight paths of the first air service flights around mainland Australia in 1924. The blue-toned seaplane issue shows a Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3 and a coastal route map around the Australian continent. This issue marks the first flight by a seaplane which began on April 6th, 1924 and ended on 19 May, in a counter-clockwise route, via Sydney, Southport, Townsville, Thursday Island, across the Gulf of Carpentaria to Darwin, Broome, Carnarvon, Perth, Albany, and Port Lincoln and back to Victoria after 44 days and 13,600 kilometres (8,450 miles). The yellow-orange toned landplane issue shows a De Havilland D.H.50 G-AUAB aircraft and the inland route map about the Australian mainland. The flight commemorated by this issue took place three months after the first flight After departing Point Cook on August 7th, the trip took place in three stages: Melbourne to Darwin via Bourke, Longreach and Cloncurry; Darwin to Perth; and Perth back to Point Cook, on August 29th, after flying 12,324 kilometres (7,657 miles). Both stamps are 1.50 AUD and have a horizontal layout, available in either gummed or self-adhesive booklet. A gutter sheet consisting of 10 stamps, in an alternating pattern of five stamps in each row with sections from each of the routes and stylized planes what appears to be a commemorative cancel are depicted in the gutter of the sheet.

Flights Around Australia Gutter Sheet

Maps on Stamps Checklist Revision 11 Now Available

In April 2024 Checklist editor David Wolfersberger finalized Revision 11.0 of the Maps on Stamps (MoS) Checklist. Revision 11 delivers over 441 additions, plus numerous corrections to past entries. The complete MoS Checklist currently has over 41,820 entries and is a critical research tool for the CartoPhilatelist, as well as others. Read more about this important update on the Maps on Stamps Checklist page.

First 2024 MoS Checklist Update Ready for Download

Checklist Editor David Wolfersberger has finalized the first 2024 update of the MoS Checklist (December  2023  to Feb 2024).  These new updates, along with previous updates, are always available as Microsoft Excel files to download from the “Checklist Updates” section on the MoS Checklist page.

Membership Renewals 2024 – 2025

The renewal deadline for membership in the The CartoPhilatelic Society for 2024-2025 term is fast approaching.

Our membership term runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. Prompt renewal is always greatly appreciated.

We have been fortunate in keeping annual dues very low for more than 10 years but rising postal rates, especially for international postage, are forcing a small increase in dues for the 2024-2025 term.  The rate changes are shown below:

  • Domestic (USA addresses) hardcopy rates will rise from $20 to $25 per year.
  • International (Non-USA addresses)  hardcopy will rise from $25 to $30.
  • Digital memberships will remain the same at $15.

CartoPhilatelic Society 2024-2025 Dues

Domestic hardcopy   $25
International (non-USA) hardcopy   $30
Digital (PDF download)   $15

Prices shown are USD amounts.

If you have already renewed for the 2024-2025 term or renewed for multiple years, no additional fee is required.

Current members who wish to renew are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
From May 1st renewals will be billed at at the 2024-2025 rate shown above.

A BIG thank you for those members who have included a donation with your dues! This helps keep dues low!

Details for renewing your membership may be found on the Membership page. If you have questions about renewals or using our online Membership form please reach out to our Treasurer, Mr. Phil Coop, through the Contact page.

Third 2023 MoS Checklist Update Ready for Download

Checklist Editor David Wolfersberger has finalized the third 2023 update of the MoS Checklist (June 2023  to August 2023).  These new updates, along with previous updates, are always available as Microsoft Excel files to download from the “Checklist Updates” section on the MoS Checklist page.

Hidden since 1965 — New discovery for the Maps on Stamps Checklist

GDR Scott 774, Michel 1116 (1965)

Congratulations to CPS Member Emilo from Spain who alerted us to an issue from 1965 which was not present in the Maps on Stamps Checklist. The newly discovered issue, German Democratic Republic (GDR) Scott 774, Michel 1116 (20th anniversary of the Free German Trade Union (FDGB) and the World Organization of Trade Unions). Scott describes the issue as “hemispheres with crowd of workers” and two circles (hemispheres) are clearly depicted on the issue. However, the main map, shown as the outline of the continents, is much more difficult to see, due to the blending with the photo background. A great find indeed! Good eyes Emilo!