Auction 321 - 332 Australian States & Commonwealth of Australia, New South Wales, St. Helena, Basutoland The ‘BESANÇON’ Collection - Day 2

The Postmaster General, Josiah Thomas (served in this capacity from1908-11), announced a public design competition would be held to obtain suitable designs for the new Australia postage stamps. The announcement was made, along with the rules for the competition in the Australian Gazette on January 21, 1911. Designs were received from 533 entrants at the closing date on May 31, with 1051 designs proferred anonymously, competing for a £100 first prize and two further prizes of £50. Designs not selected were returned to the entrants.rnrnStamp Design Competition 1911: 'Blot' Essay in green for proposed ½ d. value, hand-painted on thick card (105 x 117 mm.) marked 'No. 1' in manuscript in shades of pale and deep green, with three quarter portrait of George V flanked by eucalyptus trees; the value frame very similar to that adopted for the Sideface issue. A stunning and beautiful Essay BW E45 = $ 7'500.rnrnProvenance: Stanley Gibbons Australia, Melbourne, 30-31 May 1979, lot 74.rn                     Collection Chartwell, Spink, 23 May 2019^8, lot 438.