Home > 2009 Issue Summary > Cocos (Keeling) Islands 400 Years
2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the first European sighting of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands by Captain William Keeling in 1609. The four stamps show significant events in the history of the islands.
Issue Information
This is the least complicated issue of 2009, and it is pleasing to see the return of 35 mm square stamps. Thematic collectors will be particularly interested in the second 55c stamp which celebrates Charles Darwin's visit in 1836. 2009 marks the bicentenary of Darwin's birth, and this Australia Post's only contribution to the anniversary.
Issue Date:
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21 April 2009 (more information)
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Stamp Design:
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Stacey Zass
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Printer:
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Energi Print (more information)
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Printing Process:
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Lithography (more information)
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Gum:
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Ordinary gum
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Paper:
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Tullis Russell (incorporating phosphor) (more information)
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Issued In:
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55c in pairs within sheets of 50 (2 panes of 25 (5 x 5) with traffic lights in gutter) (more information)
$1.10 and $1.65 in individual sheets of 50 (2 panes of 25 (5 x 5) with traffic lights in gutter) (more information)
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Stamp Size:
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35 mm x 35 mm
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Perforations:
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Comb perforated 14¼ (more information)
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Designs:
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55c Sighting the islands
55c Sketch by Darwin (Darwin Visit)
$1.10 Coconut labourer (Clunies Ross Family)
$1.65 Dugong and map (Australian External Territory)
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Usage:
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55c Small letter rate within Australia (details)
$1.10 Large letter rate within Australia (up to 125 grams) (details)
$1.65 Large letter rate within Australia (over 125 up to 250 grams) (details)
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Gummed Sheet Stamps
The pair of 55c stamps were issued in horizontal and vertical pairs within the sheet.
Sheet stamps
Issue Summary
The table below summarises the above information. The cost of each item is given, along with a total for each section. In some cases the stamps are only available from self-adhesive booklets (sold at face value), or from prestige booklets, souvenir sheets or folders (sold above face value).
Item and Description
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Cost
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For the General Collector
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Gummed sheet stamps
4 values from sheets (2 x 55c (horiz pair), $1.10, $1.65)
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$3.85
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Total
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$3.85
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For the Specialised Collector
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Blocks, pairs and strips
Vertical pair of 55c stamps
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$1.10
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Total
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$1.10
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Grand Total
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$4.95
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References
Australia Post, Australian Stamp Bulletin, No. 297, March-April 2009
If you have more information, or spot an error, please e-mail me.
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