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The Australian/Briton Frederick Hasselborough accidently discovered Macquarie Island in July 1810, while looking for new sealing grounds. He claimed it for Britain and it was annexed by the colony of New South Wales, and was named after its governor Lachlan Macquarie. Macquarie Island is well known as a wildlife sanctuary, and came under the administration of the Australian Antarctic Territory in 1947. It was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1997.

Macquarie Island and its wildlife have featured on a number of AAT stamps. The current postmark for the island (top right) shows a pair of Royal Penguins. The Research Station issue of 2002 (bottom right), shows the position of Macquarie Island in relation to Australia - the island is actually closer to New Zealand, then it is to Australia!

The release date for this issue has changed a number of times. The initial date of issue was 29 June, the day after the (then proposed) 60c rate rise. The issue date was then changed to 22 June in Stamp Bulletin No. 304. However, soon after the ACCC approved the 60c rate rise, the issue date was changed to 26 October. Australia Post has confirmed this is because of the rate rise, and to allow time to print the stamps with 60c/$1.20 values. They have also confirmed that no 55c/$1.10 version of the stamps have been printed.

Issue Information
Until we see the September-October Stamp Bulletin it is assumed that stamps of the same value will be printed in se-tenant pairs.

Gummed Sheet Stamps
The 60c and $1.20 stamps will be issued in se-tenant pairs - the stamps will not be issued in strips of four.

Stamps showing 60c and $1.20 values

First day cover showing pairs of stamps (with 55c and $1.10 values)

Gummed Miniature Sheets
Miniature sheets show the position of Macquarie Island in relation to Australia and Antarctic, and include a unique block of four.

The sheet's height of 85 mm means that the miniature sheet does not need to be cut down for first day covers.

Miniature sheet

Postal Stationery
Four maximum cards will be released showing images related to the stamps.

 
Maximum Cards

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	Cost
For the General Collector
Gummed sheet stamps Horizontal se-tenant pairs (2 x 60c, 2 x $1.20) Miniature sheets Miniature sheet	$3.60   $3.60
Total	$7.20
For the Specialised Collector
Blocks, pairs and strips Se-tenant block of 4 from miniature sheet Postal stationery Maximum cards	$3.60   $6.60
Total	$10.20
Grand Total	$17.40

References
Australia Post, Australian Stamp Bulletin, No. 265, June-July 2002, No. 273, January-February 2004, No. 304, May-June 2010, No. 305, July-August 2010.
Wikipedia, Macquarie Island, accessed 10 April 2010

If you have more information, or spot an error, please e-mail me.