For further information or advice please Email the Webmaster

This is a non profit
site. Any infringement
of copyright or
intellectual property,
is unintentional.

Most covers can be
displayed as a
larger image,
in a new window,
by clicking on
the image.

Hosting at

Updated: 25/09/2009

Carlton Blues

Carlton played its first season in 1864. It was the first team to wear distinguishing colours, initially orange caps, to which navy blue was soon added, forming the basis for their nickname.

They were a foundation member of the VFA in 1877 and also of the breakaway VFL in 1897. They have been a very successful club having won 16 Premierships, being equal with Essendon, as the most in  the VFL/AFL in over 100 years. Its  1982 Premierships was celebrated by the release of a special cover and postmark.

 It has also had 4 Brownlow Medallists, including Greg Williams who previously won the Brownlow with the Sydney Swans. Its home ground since the 1890's has been Princess Park, currently called "Optus Oval" under a naming rights agreement with the telephone Company.

1996 Carlton AFL Centenary Cover

Above is the AFL Centenary Cover postmarked with the Carlton Permanent Pictorial Postmark (APM29078) introduced on the 23rd April 1996 to celebrate the Centenary of the AFL. It was also used on a AFL Centenary cover of Sergio Silvani.

The Blues chose Stephen Kernahan, their 1996 Captain and Captain for 10 consecutive seasons as their player on the Maximum Card, Post Card and Stamp Booklet.

The 2000 season was opened with a New Years Eve Millennium Challenge between Carlton and Collingwood as part of the New Millennium celebrations. The game was easily won by the blues with Brendan Fevola kicking a record 12 goals.

On the 7th March 2000 the inaugural meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Three Carlton players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the millennium issue. They were Stephen Kernahan, John Nicholls and Robert Walls. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by Havilah Enterprises.

The Carlton Team of the Century was announced at a Grand Function at the Crown Palladium on the 20th May 2000.   

The 25th May 2000 marked  the release of club and individual 2000 Personalised Stamps.

On the 28th March 2001 the second annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Two Carlton players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the globe and map issue. They were David McKay and Jack Hale. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by first Class Collectables.

The 30th March 2001 marked the release of the teams 2001 Personalised Stamps.

The 2001 season started well for the Blues with them sitting near the top of the ladder. The Blues finished the season fifth on the ladder but were unable to progress in the finals. Stephen Silvagni retired after 312 games.

On the 27th March 2002 the third annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Three Carlton players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the sand, sea and sky overlaid by the Southern Cross issue. They were Allan Greenshields, Alex Jesaulenko and Brett Ratten. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by First Class Collectables.

On the 15th May 2002 the Club 2002 Personalised Stamps were released.

The 2002 season was the worst season ever for the Blues with them slipping to their first Wooden Spoon. On top of that they were fined $930,000 for salary cap breaches and lost early draft picks.

The 2003 season saw some improvement. In April the 2003 Personalised Stamps were released. The Annual Premiership Players Club P stamp Sheet of 20 players was released on the 26th March 2003. The Carlton players featured were Dennis Munari and Ken Hunter. The season ended with the Blues winning four games and finishing second last.

2004 was still going to be tough with rebuilding being the aim. In mid April the 2004 Personalised Stamps were released. This year they were a booklet of 20 stamps showing 10 players, rather than the A4 sheet. Ken Hands and Don McIntyre were included in the 20 players of the "Premiership Players Club". Matthew Lappin was picked in the All Australian Team.

On 12th March 2005 the underrated Carlton defeated the West Coast Eagles in the Pre season Competition, the Wizard Cup. The Blues won 1.14.18.111 to 1.11.9.84. First Class Collectables issued a Cover to commemorate the win. On the 1st April 2005 the Carlton Blues booklet of the 2005 Personalised Stamps was released. The 2005 Hall of Fame inductees were named on the 7th June 2005. One of the inductees was Stephen Silvagni. First Class Collectables issued covers  to commemorate the Best and Fairest winner Anthony Koutoufides.

On the 20th March 2006 the Carlton Blues booklet of the 2006 Personalised Stamps was released. On the 22nd June 2006 the AFL Hall of Fame inducted Craig Bradley and Robert Walls. Round 16 was the Heritage Round with clubs wearing jumpers from a previous era. Onlycovers released a cover for each club including the Carlton FC.

2007 and 2008 were years of rebuilding with the Blues putting together an impressive list of young and experienced players. 2009 was the year they made it back into the eight finishing seventh. The 2008 Personalised Stamps and the 2009 Personalised Stamps were released in a folder of two sheets of ten stamps.