Specimen Stamps ~ A Celebration.

BeeSee, the modern specimens were released to satisfy the demand
for high values to collectors who otherwise could not afford them.
I rather like them in preference to CTO.

I'm still digging around in the archives for info,
the stamps in question were released in a "stamp pack" format.
AFAIK they retail mint at a low price , perhaps AUD $4-6

Here is a list of Australian "specimens" up to about 1970

acknowledgement: "seven seas" stamp catalogue circa 1970

Australian "Frama" (Swiss vending machine) specimen

The frilled neck lizard on parched river bed.





Roo and map.

Hmm, seems to have been a release to promote Ausipex 1984

In two halves to conform to the 90kb rule

Thanks for that information Rod. I presume that at the end of the day, the modern Australian Specimen stamps end up being more valuable than the regular mint issues?

Sorry, no. BeeSee.
not desired by (local) Aussie collectors,
often seen, and passed in at auction, is my experience.

Here we have a "Ned Kelly" issue, this one said
"Darn it, I'm getting aboard that parcel"
and slipped into cancellation heaven.
Scan care of a member of rcsd IIRC.

That makes a great piece Rod! I know I have Tuvalu specimens on cover somewhere... gotta find them.

Sarawak Specimens.
owner: a member of rcsd IIRC

I like rod222's idea of celebrating specimens.

Here are my favourites:

North Ingermanland SG 1-7 from 1920, overprinted Malli, i.e. "Specimen" in Finnish.

They're beautiful Nigel

It always surprises me after 10 years of collecting,
I still see items never spied before, just about on a daily basis.

Czech (not mine)

Nice Specimens fellows. Nigels, those North Ingermanland designs would look great in blocks or larger multiples!

I agree BeeSee. I have blocks of four of the lower values and some larger blocks with perf errors that were probably printer's waste but it would be nice to see some large blocks of the regular stamps.

My main collecting interest is in the Island of Crete so this seems a good opportunity to share my only Crete "specimens".

They're actually plate proofs but they were perforated "SPECIMEN" by Bradbury Wilkinson.

These are all proofs for the 1905 set using the final designs but in unadopted colours.

Wow! they are fantastic,

I would be torn by keeping them pristine, and in an ugly Hagner sheet,
and hinging them to make a beautiful page.

Here is a Malta specimen...my SG British Empire doesn't list individual values, just a value for the full set. Is there a resource for individual values?

Thanks.