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Updated: 10/10/2009

1989 Sports Series I

Specialist notes and numbering system are from "The Australian Commonwealth Specialist Catalogue" (ACSC), 2002 Edition. Published by Brusden-White.

The Australian Commonwealth Specialist Catalogue divides the issue into two by the type of paper used.

No 1358
Harrison unwatermarked white paper incorporating helecon.

ACSC Description
1358 3c Aussie Football (0 koalas)
1358c Yellow and Chestnut omitted
1358d Green flaw on left footballer's leg On original and 1K reprint
1358x CTO (from Stamp Collecting Kit)
1358z Original Printing Block of four left side
1358za Original Printing Block of four right side
1358zb 3c Aussie Football reprint (1 koala) Left side April 1991
1358zc 3c Aussie Football reprint (1 koala) Right side April 1991
1358zd 3c Aussie Football reprint (4 koala) Left side December 1998
1358ze 3c Aussie Football reprint (4 koala) Right side December 1998
1402w Post Office Pack with 1c bowls, 2c tenpin bowling, 3c Football, 39c fishing, 55c kite, 70c cricket & $1.10 golf Front and Inside Pack
  Post Office Pack with 1c bowls, 2c tenpin bowling, 3c Football, 39c fishing, 55c kite, 70c cricket & $1.10 golf Front and Inside Pack
. Two sets of Stamp Collector Cards were issued. Set Two included the 3c Football issue

No 1359
CPL unwatermarked white paper incorporating helecon.

ACSC Description
1359z 3c Aussie Football reprint (2 koala) Left side January 1995
1359za 3c Aussie Football reprint (2 koala) Right side January 1995
1359zb 3c Aussie Football reprint (3 koala) Left side September 1996
1359zc 3c Aussie Football reprint (3 koala) Right side September 1996

Technical Information

Date of Issue 13th February 1989
Design Geoff Cook, Melbourne
Printer Leigh-Mardon Pty Ltd, Melbourne (Moorabbin) for original, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reprint. SNP Cambec 4th Reprint
Paper Harrison unwatermarked white Paper  with helecon (Original & 1 Koala and 4 Koala), CPL unwatermarked white Paper  with helecon (2 Koala and 3 koala)
Sheets Sheets of 100 in 10 rows of 10
Perforations 13.98 x 14.40
Printing Process Photolithography
Other Stamps In series 1c Bowls, 2c Tenpin Bowling, 39c Fishing, 55c Kite Flying, 70c Cricket, $1.10 Golf

Reprints (Koalas & Kangaroos)
During 1989 Australia Post decided to identify reprints by adding a koala symbol to the selvedge of sheets. The symbol was applied on each alternate row starting from the top of the sheet in both the right and left selvedge adjacent to the corner of the stamp. (see 1 koala reprint) In 1993 a decision was made to print the symbol on each row at both the left and right of the sheet. (see 2 koala reprint). Successive reprints up to and including the fourth reprint will carry additional koalas. A kangaroo is shown for the fifth reprint and is positioned in the same way as the koalas. Additional reprints up to the eighth reprint will show the kangaroo with the appropriate number of koalas.

Helecon
Helecon is the commercial name for a phosphorous which fluoresces under UV Light. It is used as an aid to electronic sorting and canceling machines.

First Day Covers
Australia Post.
1. Sydney Postmark

1989 3c Aussie Fotball FDC

2. Streaky Bay SA Postmark

1989 3c Aussie Fotball FDC