Australia, Christmas And Cocos Islands Stamps On Same Cover.

Here is an interesting piece. Christmas Islands, Cocos Islands, Australian and AAN stamps, all on the same cover mailed from Adelaide, SA. So the question from non Australian resident, was it a valid use of postage, or somebody created a fantasy item with the help of local PM?

I think it looks so neat and groovy I saved the picture.

All valid postage.

Just about everything is available from your local australian post offce and valid for use in all australian territories. Like France postage used in St. Pierre and other areas and vice versa. That person/collector was obviously using up the extras.

The most unsalable stamps made in Australia. Really do not understand why. In very recent times Auspost has been pushing more of these type of issues. They are showing up in very recent kiloware as an unwelcome visitor.

No one wants to buy Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, AAT, etc and now Norfolk Island.

Part of it might be that (mint) complete collections are abundant and inexpensive, sort of like United Nations stamps. It's not unusual to buy an intermediate collection of Australia at auction and get complete Christmas Island (e.g.) practically as a "throw-in". They're included in most specialized albums of Australian stamps.

Now, as for most modern issues, I prefer postally used, which is harder to complete. I especially like to find Christmas/Cocos/Norfolk Islands stamps that are used (postally, not FDC) on the islands, instead of the Australian mainland. It can be challenging -- those islands do not have a large population.

I started CI just before the big price change. Boy did I get burned on the first 15 years. Just collect the mint from CI and am looking to trade cdn face for them.

It is not uncommon to buy these in mint condition for under face value as mailing.

Find this issue with these Australia stamps as very sad!

So many really attractive stamps that are just not wanted.

I see. Still a pretty fun item. Thank you gentlemen.

I would just like to point out that the Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling)Islands stamps on the piece of mail shown above were NOT valid for use on mail posted in Adelaide. The CI Phosphate stamps were issued in 1980. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands stamps were issued in 1982 (Butterfly) and 1988 (Flora).
Australia Post took over the CI postal and philatelic services on 2 March 1993. Christmas Island stamps issued on and after 4 March 1993 will be valid for postal use in Australia, and Australian stamps will be valid on the Island. Christmas Island stamps issued PRIOR TO March 1993 will be valid only for mail posted on Christmas Island. ASB no.219 (March-May 1993), p.12.
Australia Post took over similar services on Cocos (Keeling) Islands on 1 January 1994. Cocos (Keeling) Islands stamps issued after 1 January 1994 will be valid for postage throughout Australia; and Australian stamps will be valid for use on the Islands. Cocos stamps issued BEFORE 1 January 1994 may be used after that date, ONLY for postage on the Islands, and from the Islands to other countries.
Once before - from 9 July 1969 to 2 September 1979 - the stamps of Cocos (Keeling) Islands were valid in Australia. ASB no.223(Jan-Feb 1994), p.14.
AAT stamps have always been valid for postage in Australia. So only the 3 Australian stamps and the 1 AAT stamp were valid on this piece. Not that that has ever stopped people from using the non-valid stamps on mail in Australia.

You are truly amazing 22crows.

No wonder their mailing lots are cheap because they are not valid!

How many times have I used them not knowing about your information.

Thanks Heaps. kg5

I stand corrected...and surprised.
Over the years, on all my mail, I have regularly had mixed and cancelled stamps from all locations.

Great info 22crows, thank you.
I pity the poor postal worker who might have to know this, do they have catalogs/references around to look up stamp release dates?
Don

Update:
I had the knowledge on hand, but obviously did not read it, or take heed of it closely enough
The old "she'll be right" attitude

............and I was not aware "International Post" was not valid for local mail.
I have had those on my local mail.

Postal staff are going to have the knowledge of all Cocos 1980 -1993 stamps
if they are to issue a postage due....

Thanks 22crows. I collect CI only because I liked them as something different from Canada, and am not into the postal history and uses of that area. Was unaware of the cutoff dates and was going by recent information read.

Can you imagine the amount of education all postal employees would have to learn, in order to prevent and stop this from happening at the counter, before it enters the system, or for the issue of postage due if caught later in the system.

I am rather surprised though, after reading Rods post about the rates and the fact they would not allow a person to use an international rate marked stamp for domestic mail. I would have thought that the P.O. would have not minded persons doing that as it would surly be overpaying for lesser service.