Rare Australian Stamps Appraisal

Australian Postage Stamps Collection

This collection consists of six vintage Australian postage stamps. Two stamps feature commemorative designs: one depicting the emblem for the 'XVITH OLYMPIAD MELBOURNE 1956' with a denomination of 4d, primarily in red and cream colors, and another commemorating 'VAN DIEMEN'S LAND 1853-1953' with a profile of a woman and a 3d denomination, also in red and cream. The remaining four stamps are identical in design, each featuring a profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a crown, with a '5d' denomination, rendered in a distinctive grey-green and cream color palette. All stamps exhibit standard perforation around their edges. Visible condition issues include varying degrees of cancellation marks and light creasing or handling wear, particularly noticeable on the Olympic Games stamp. The Queen Elizabeth II stamps show some slight discoloration and minor corner rounding on a few, suggesting they are used. The 'AUSTRALIA' country name is prominently displayed on all stamps. The designs suggest a mid-20th-century style, likely circa 1950s, aligning with the dates explicitly mentioned on the commemorative issues. The uniformity in the Queen Elizabeth II stamps indicates a common definitive series. The craftsmanship appears standard for mass-produced postage stamps of the era, utilizing lithography or similar printing methods.