CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone: 61-3-9864-9999
Facsimile:
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
Media Release
December
10, 2009
IMPORTANT STAMP RECALLS A ROYAL SNUB
In 1913 Europe was on the brink of war. Although open hostilities were still a year away, there was a battle
going on in Australia that rocked the Royal Family and its supporters. It concerned a newly-released stamp
featuring a Kangaroo and a map of Australia, the first time a marsupial had replaced a monarch.
Many consider that Australian philately began with the issue of this series. This was the first definitive
Australian stamp with the sole nomenclature ‘Australia’. The issue had 15 stamps ranging in value from ½d
(halfpenny) to £2 (two pounds).
It was ordered by the Government of Andrew Fisher, which happened to have a number of pro-
republicans among its ranks. It pitted republicans against royalists and although Joseph Cook succeeded in
replacing Fisher as Prime Minister later than year and introducing George V on to Australia’s stamps, the
Postmaster-General continued both stamps for many years after.
A £2 stamp from this series in exceptional condition is being offered for sale by Leski Auctions.
“The intrigue of that period was forgotten in the republican debate of 1999, but it was every bit as
fractious,” says Charles Leski. “The stamps were also drawn into the national discussion about supporting
Britain in the Great War, effectively becoming a de facto ‘messenger’ for both sides.”
Lot 1178 will be offered for sale by Leski Auctions in Melbourne on Thursday, December 17th at 5.00pm.
It has
a pre-sale estimate of $5,000
-
$6,000.
(NB: The image
is
available
at
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Leski Auctions was established in 1973 and is one of Australia’s leading auctioneers of Sporting Memorabilia,
Australiana, Collectibles and World Philately.
Leski Auctions is a recognised leader in the area of early photography, art, wine, cameras, books, autographs,
entertainment memorabilia, medals, coins, stamps, aerophilately, cigarette and trade cards, maps, railway
memorabilia, advertising artwork and posters, and the Olympics, football and cricket..
It was the first auction house in Australia to introduce an on-line, real-time bidding system ‘Live Bid Online’™,
which allows participation from anywhere in the world. It currently runs 22 auctions per year.
Leski Auctions has previously sold many significant collections, including those of Shirley Strickland, Ron Clarke,
Sir Reginald Ansett and former RSL President, Bruce Ruxton. It has sold more ‘baggy green’ caps than any other
auction house in the world, and is one of the largest auctioneers of cricket memorabilia by value and volume.
Leski Auctions recently sold the newly-discovered Phar Lap horse tonic recipe book. It recently achieved a world
record price for a Bradman bat.
Managing Director Charles Leski is a registered valuer for the Cultural Gifts Program through the Department of
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports
Museum at the MCG, Melbourne.
The company is located at 13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123 Australia. Telephone +61-3-864 9999 and
Issued by:
Charles Leski, Leski Auctions
Michael Krape, Michael Krape Consulting
CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone: 61-3-9864-9999
Facsimile:
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
Tel: 61-3-9864 9999
Tel: 0403 135 880
charles@leski.com.au
michaelkrape@krape.com.au
NEWS 
