Page Text: The four types of postmarks
National First Day of Issue
Used to commemorate the release of a new stamp on a national level. The locality name is chosen for its link to the stamp issue.
Permanent Pictorial
Reflecting something distinctive to the locality, such as penguins for the town of Penguin in Tasmania or a lighthouse if one is prominent in the area.
Temporary
These postmarks are used on either single days or consecutive days commemorating a special event.
Individual location
Postmarks associated with a historical or geographical reflection of the local area but not necessarily pictorial and can be used to cancel first day of issue stamps only.
Applying a postmark
If you need a postmark applied to your philatelic item, head to your local Post Office. Only authorised Australia Post staff can apply postmarks. Make sure you’re getting the right kind of postmark applied. You’ll want a national postmark on a first day cover, the correct commemorative postmark for a special occasion stamp, and so on.
Request that the postmark impression is applied with clarity and precision - no smudging! Black is the only colour ink that should be used. Catch the corner of the stamp - don’t cover up the stamp design. Refer to the images below as a guide.
Single stamp
Place the postmark on the left hand side.
Pair of stamps
Should be centrally postmarked at the base of the stamps.
Minisheets
Cancel all the stamps, ensuring at least one postmark also marks the envelope.
Multiple stamps or strips
Use the least number of postmarks to cancel the most number of stamps.
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