stamp printers by country

AUSTRALIA

      = Understood to be a current stamp printer.

   First postage stamp issued: 1850 (For NEW SOUTH WALES) 
NEEDS UPDATING CONSIDERABLY

Various 19^th century issues were printed locally, although the name(s) of the printer(s) has not survived. Until 1977, almost every stamp had been produced in Australia by the Commonwealth Stamp Printer, or one of his later names.

John Ash, Commonwealth Stamp Printer, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1927 for Australia.

Appointed in 1927 in place of caretaker printer A J Mullett, Ash had previously been the print manager for De La Rue and Company in London, prior to emigrating. Ash retired on 19 April 1940, having made a major impact on stamp quality procedures during his period of office.


Asher & Company Pty. Limited, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1977 for Australia.

Following the reduction of stamp printing capabilities at the Note Printing Branch, Australia Post had to approach private industry to print its stamps. A logical choice appeared, for Asher had already been printing security documents and had everything expected of a security stamp printer in place - except perhaps for perforating equipment.

The first stamp to come from this printer was the A$10 Coming South definitive stamp, released during October 1977, a comparatively small print run to start this new product range for Asher. By 1980, they were printing the vast majority of stamps, excepting definitive issues.

From May 1981, they became known as Leigh-Mardon Pty. Limited, having been taken-over the month before.


James Atkinson, Postage Stamp Printer, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1867 for Victoria.

Atkinson was the Postage Stamp Printer between 1867 and 1883. He was preceded by F W Robinson and superseded by William Bond.


Avon Graphics Pty. Limited, Moorabbin, Victoria.
First postal involvement 1990 (die stamping) for Australia.
Main printing process(es): Die-stamping, Exelgrams (holographic printing on ultra-thin plastic film)..
.
Metallic foil application saw print specialists Avon Graphics becoming involved in stamp production for the $20 high value "Gardens" definitive issue. Subsequent work has involved the application of an optical reflective device on the "Opals" issue of 1995 in the form of a thin plastic foil.

Embossing, laser cutting, forme cutting, laminating, die stamping and trade embellishments are other printing finishing features that Avon are experts at.


H. Best, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1857 for Tasmania.

This printer produced stamps between August 1857 and May 1859.
(See also the entries for H & C Best and Courier Newspaper below.)


H. & C. Best, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1856 for Tasmania.

This pair of printers first received a mention in the entry for the Courier Newspaper below. They subsequently produced stamps for a short time together, presumably on their own premises. H Best is also listed as sole printer in entry above.


J. Birchall, Tasmania.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1863 for Tasmania.

This printer produced stamps in March 1863.


Albert Block, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1863 for Australia.
Care: Could this and the following printer be the same person? It seems likely.


Alfred Bock, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1863 (postal fiscal stamps) for Tasmania
Care: Could this and theprevious printer be the same person? It seems likely.


William Bond, Postage Stamp Printer, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1883 for Victoria and Australia.

Bond was the Postage Stamp Printer between 1883 and 1906. He was preceded by Atkinson and superseded by Kemp. During his term of office (in December 1885), the printing operations were transferred to the Government Printing Office from the Post Office.


Cheque Printers & Encoders Australia Pty. Limited, Scoresby.
Abbreviation known by: CPE.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1987 for Australia.
Main printing process(es): Litho.
.
The company acquired Cambec Press, printing under the CPE name from 1987. They had ownership links with Leigh-Mardon and on 1 April 1989 LM took CPE over and traded under their own name henceforth.

They retained both the Scoresby (CPE) and Moorabin (LM) sites for stamp production.


Samuel Calvert, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1854 for Victoria.
.
This printer lost his contract to print stamps for the Victoria Post Office in March 1858 when it was discovered that some of his printed stamp stock had been pawned!


Cambec Press Pty. Limited, Scoresby, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1981 for Australia. (See also Printset-Cambec entry below.)
Main printing process(es): Litho.

The first stamp set seen by the company was for the "Sports Personalities" in 1981. They were acquired by CPE Australia in January 1989 and gradually got more contracts, printing many issues of a water-based gum nature, initially printing under the CPE name.

From April 1989 stamps printed by the Cambec Press arm of CPE bore a Leigh-Mardon imprint.

The Scoresby plant closed down late in 1991, production transferring to Moorabbin, i.e..... the Leigh-Mardon site with which the company had connections.


J. S. Campbell & Co., Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1854 for Victoria.

This company became involved in stamp printing when an order placed with Perkins, Bacon would not stand any chance of arriving in time from London and so a local printing was commissioned using the Ham engraved plates.

(Entry continued below under Campbell and Fergusson.)


Campbell and Fergusson, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1854 for Victoria.

The name of this printer followed the new corporate style of J S Campbell, above.


Canberra Press Pty. Limited, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1996 for Cocos (Keeling Islands).

This company has so far only produced two stamp issues, both for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, producing the Quarantine Station and Centenary of the National Council of Women issues of 1996.


Commonwealth Bank of Australia, [Where?].
Abbreviation known by: CBA.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1926 for Nauru, following the retirement of T S Harrison.

In 1926, stamp printing passed from the Treasury to CBA, until January 1960.


Commonwealth Stamp Printer, Melbourne.
.
The first to hold this office (in 1909) was J B Cooke, whose entry appears below.


Commonwealth Stamp Printing Office, Melbourne.
Another name for the Commonwealth Stamp Printer.


John Bradley Cooke, Commonwealth Stamp Printer, Melbourne.
First appointed: 1909.

James Bradley Cooke was the first printer of Australian stamps, holding a prominent place in the history of Australian philately. In 1881, Cooke became Assistant Printer of Stamps at the General Post Office and invented a better way of perforating stamps during his time in that role.

In 1909, a promotion put him in charge of the newly formed Stamp Printing Branch of the Commonwealth Treasury, based in Melbourne with the title Commonwealth Stamp Printer.

The last stamp printed by Mr Cooke was in 1918. He was aged 65 and was tragically dismissed from his position in May, some 2 months before he was due to retire. He was replaced by Mr T S Harrison. At this time, the Stamp Printing Branch merged with the Note Printing Branch of the Commonwealth Treasury, ceasing to exist as a separate entity.


Courier Newspaper, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1853 for Tasmania..

H. & C. Best are on record as the printer of Tasmanian stamps in 1853.


J. Davies, Tasmania.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1859 for Tasmania.
.
This printer produced stamps between August 1859 and March 1862.


Federal Government Printing Office, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1902 for Tasmania.


Norman J. Field & Co., Melbourne.
First and only stamps printed: 1977 for Australia.

This company got involved in stamp printing by accident. There had been enormous problems at the Government Printing Works, Canberra when trying to print the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II issue. Laying down the silver ink proved impossible and an extensive proofing exercise was undertaken at the premises of Seligson and Clare, Australian agents for the SORDZ press that GPW had been trying to use. In the end, the job was mainly printed by Field's and perforated at the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
It is believed that Field's never again printed stamps and reverted to their more normal commercial printing operation. Still, they had the distinction of being the first Australian private stamp contractor since the 1860s.


Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited, ACT.
Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited, NSW.
Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited, Queensland.
Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited, South Australia.
Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited, Victoria.
Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited, W. Australia.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 2000 for Australia.
Graham & Whiteside's Business Description:Distribution of copiers, duplicators, laser printers and other electronic equipment.


Government Printing Office / Works, Sydney and Canberra.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1857.

Note Printing Australia decided to get out of stamp printing following their move of premises in the 1970s, so once again the Government Printing Office stepped in to print stamps for Australia Post. Unfortunately, they were given the Silver Jubilee issue of 1977 to print, which gave them many problems, as recorded against the Norman J Field entry above.


Government Stamp Printing Branch, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1860 for Victoria.

This Office was established on the 1^st January 1860 and was headed-up by F W Robinson, who had sold-out to the government the year before, thus enabling the creation of an official stamp printing facility. He held the post until 1867, being replaced respectively by James Atkinson, William Bond, J Kemp, and J B Cooke who was last to hold the position prior to the establishment of the Commonwealth Stamp Printer.

All private contracts to print stamps ceased in 1860 and it was only resurrected late in the 20th century.


Thomas Ham, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1850 for Victoria.


Thomas S. Harrison, Note and Stamp Printer and Engraver, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1918, when Harrison took over production from J B Cooke.

Harrison came over to Australia from London in September 1912, having previously worked for Waterlow's.

At a meeting in 1919 of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Harrison stated that: "I was told in London that a first-class building awaited me. Instead of that I found a rat-hole of a place, with broken windows and dust some inches deep on them." Strong words indeed.

In 1924, the Note and Stamp Printing Branch transferred control to the Commonwealth Bank. Harrison's last stamp run was in February 1926 when production passed to A. J. Mullett. .
.
Robert Benoist, an expert on the stamps of Australia wrote to the webmaster, as follows: "This new information involves my discovery of the correspondence between Australia House in London, Perkins Bacon and the other selected printers asked to quote for the job, previously unseen proofs of the greatest rarity (Richard Breckon of Australia Post has valued them at over $100,000) all of which adds to the knowledge of the 1d Georgian, the most studied Australian stamp.

In your entry for T H Harrison, the Australian Note and Stamp Printer, you indicate his first stamp traced was in 1918 when he was appointed the Note and Stamp printer (when the Stamp Printing was amalgamated with his Note Printing Department which he had run since 1912). In 1913, on the change of Government in Australia, it was decided to replace the Kangaroo and Map series with a new patriotic design having the head of George V - The well known side-face design. Harrison prepared a plate from which the 1913 1d red was printed - some 2,000,000 stamps were produced at the same time as the Kangaroo and map series was printed by JB Cooke. Perkins Bacon then produced 4 steel plates from Harrison's design. The steel plates, together with another unallocated die for the remaining values, were sent to Cooke who remained the Stamp Printer until May 1918. There was a period in 1913/14 when the Government considered getting rid of Cooke and appointing Harrison in the position he attained in 1918.

The 1d red recess printed stamp SG3, (and the 6d Claret SG4) were both engraved by Harrison in 1913 and printed by him at the Note Printing Branch. Although Gibbons insists on crediting T S Harrison's son Ronald with the design of this and other stamps I can find no record in Harrison's correspondence with Government which would indicate any other designer than himself."


A. Hillman, Government Lithographer, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1854 for Western Australia.

This printer replaced H Samson as Government Lithographer sometime between 1854 and 1857.


Hobart Government Printer, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: c.1857.


M. Hood, Tasmania.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1863.

This printer produced stamps between October 1863 and April 1864.


Inspector of Stamps, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1850 for New South Wales.

The Inspector of Stamps supervised the press that produced the first issues of New South Wales.


J. Kemp, Postage Stamp Printer, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: [when?].

Kemp was the Postage Stamp Printer between [when?] and [when?]. He was preceded by William Bond and superseded by J B Cooke.


S. T. Leigh & Co., Sydney.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1877 for Samoa.

The name Leigh merged with Mardon to form Leigh-Mardon in the 1960s when taken over by British Tobacco.


Leigh-Mardon Pty. Limited, Moorabin and Scoresby (suburbs of Melbourne).
Founded: 1852.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1978 (under the Leigh-Mardon name, for previous issues were printed by their subsidiary company Asher & Company).
Main printing process(es): Litho, recess

Leigh-Mardon is the oldest supplier of security products in Australia, for the company's history dates back to around the middle of the eighteenth century when Stephen Thomas Leigh started a small printing business in Melbourne.

Around fourteen countries came to rely upon this company for all, or some, of their postage, Frama and revenue stamp requirements. Unfortunately, Leigh-Mardon ceased stamp production on 30 April 1995 due to a downturn in the stamp printing business.

They were very slow to adapt to self-adhesive stamp manufacturing, finally getting involved too late as increasingly Australian stamps went over to that method of production. Leigh-Mardon failed to print any self-adhesive stamps for Australia Post, restricting its activity to overseas opportunities such as Eire.

Their last public event was at Singapore 95, which they attended simply because they had paid for their stand. The staff who attended the show was all disappointed at the management decision to withdraw from this particular market.

The company is still thriving in non-stamp related businesses, such as passports and credit cards, and they are heavily involved in product packaging. In 1996, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of American Bank Note Corporation.


W. C. G. McCracken OBE, Note and Stamp Printer, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: April 1940 for Australia.

First appointed in April 1940, he retired on 22 March 1963 after 23 years in the role. He had been responsible for introducing new equipment, the photogravure printing process and the elimination of personal monograms and imprints in favour of  'By Authority' impersonal marks. The print works became known as The Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1959. W. H. Wilcock replaced McCracken.


 Mc.Pherson's Printing Group, Mulgrave.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1992 for Australia.
Main printing process(es): Litho.


Mercury Press, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1891 for Tasmania.

At least a single printing of the Tasmanian stamps produced in 1891 was by this printer instead of by the Government Printer (Hobart).


Mercury Walch Pty. Limited, Moonah, Hobart.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1986 (booklet stamps) for Australia.
Main printing process(es): Litho.

Once a division of Davies Brothers of Tasmania, the firm came to specialise in pictorial aerogrammes, pre-stamped envelopes and FDCs following the withdrawal from the market of the Note Printing Branch. They are Tasmania's largest commercial and security printers, with over 50% of output going out of state or country.

Their first involvement with stamp production was in 1986 and 1988 when they produced two stamp booklets (Alpine Flowers and Australian Crafts, respectively), produced with hand collation of the contents - a very time-consuming process.


A. J. Mullett, Commonwealth Stamp Printer, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1926 for Australia.

First appointed in 1926, as a temporary stand-in for Harrison. Last stamp printed in January 1927, when a successor to Harrison came from Great Britain that June. Mullett had previously been the (retired) Victorian Government Printer.


Netherlands Indies Government Printing Works, Melbourne.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1946 for Netherlands Indies.

It initially seemed amazing to the compiler of this work that this printing works existed in Australia. However, the year before sight of the first stamps from this printer, Australian troops had taken part in the restoration of the Netherlands Indies to Dutch rule.

He would welcome more information as to the setting-up and operation of this facility for there is surely an interesting tale to tell.


New South Wales Government Printing Office, Sydney.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1902 (postage dues) for Australia. Last stamp printed 1931.


Note Printing Australia Limited.
Was also known as Reserve Bank of Australia, Note Printing Branch (see entry below).
Main printing process(es): Litho, recess

This firm re-emerged as a stamp printer in 1989, when Australia Post required intaglio stamp printing capabilities. The issue was the High Value Gardens stamps, printed in a combination of lithography and intaglio. The first fully intaglio stamp by Note Printing was the 1995 50th Anniversary of the National Trust stamp issue.


Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne.
(See entry for Reserve Bank of Australia, Note Printing Branch.)
Main printing process(es): Litho, recess


Owen King Pty. Limited, Mulgrave, Victoria.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1992 for Australia.

A part of the McPherson's Printing Group, the parent requested a change of name from Owen King to McPherson's. This change happened with effect from the 1992 Vineyard Regions / QEII Birthday issues.


Pemara Corporation Pty Limited, Melbourne.
Founded: 28 September 1966 as Pemara Press by Peter McNamara.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1990 (self-adhesive) for Australia.
Main printing process(es): Litho, letterpress.

Self-adhesive stamp printers, Pemara were introduced to the stamp printing market by the introduction of 'peel and stick' stamps by Australia Post in 1990. Pemara are also producers of pharmaceutical, food, personal care and security labels.


Printset Pty. Limited, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1990 (self-adhesive) for Australia.
This company specialises in being self-adhesive stamp printers for Australia Post.


Printset-Cambec Pty Limited, [Where?].
Founded: c1990.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1990 for Australia.

This company emerged from the old Cambec Press, first producing the Sports definitive issue of 1990. A decision had been taken to counteract the near-monopoly of Leigh-Mardon in the Australian stamp manufacturing market. This placed Australia Post in an impossible situation were problems to arise at Leigh-Mardon, which did eventually happen of course when they lost the contract and were forced to cease stamp production.

On 10 July 1995, Singapore National Printers Pty. Limited purchased Printset-Cambec and the name became SNP-Cambec Pty. Ltd. from that time.


R A Printing Pty Ltd, Kilsyth, Victoria.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 2011 for Australia.
Main printing process(es): Litho in conventionaal and self-adhesive formats.

R.A. Printing Pty Ltd has produced printed matter since 1977 and more recently has grown to become a highly successful A2 and A3 printing company in Melbourne. Founded on the philosophy of delivering "High Quality, Best Service and Quick Turnaround" from the company’s small beginnings to its position of leadership today, R.A. Printing Pty Ltd's philosophy has never changed.

They produce security items such as Special Edition Stamp Sheets for Australia Post and in 2011 expanded into more conventional stamp printing.


Reserve Bank of Australia, Note Printing Branch, Craigieburn.
Abbreviation known by: RBA.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: [when?]. Last stamp printed 1981.
Main printing process(es): Litho, recess.

Until 1959, the printing of stamps had been undertaken by the Commonwealth Stamp Printer (or his subsequent titles). In 1960, responsibility passed to the newly established Reserve Bank of Australia.

The primary function of the RBA is to produce bank notes. This role began for them on 14 January 1960 when sole bank note issuing powers were vested in them instead of in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

The final issue of stamps to be printed by RBA was for the 50^th Anniversary of APEX, released in April 1981, at which time they focussed on their core business of bank note printing.


F. W. Robinson, Victoria.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1858 for Victoria.

This printer had tendered in 1856 without success, but following the dismissal of Calvert from the role of stamp printing in 1858 due to impropriety the contract passed to him.

At the end of 1859 Robinson's equipment was purchased by the Victoria Post Office and formed the basis for the establishment of the Stamp Printing Branch. He was appointed Printer of Postage Stamps, heralding a new era in stamp production for Australia.



H. Samson, Government Lithographer, [Where?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1854 for Western Australia.

This printer was superseded by A Hillman sometime between 1854 and 1857.


Scott Printers Pty. Limited Trading as Scott Four-Colour Print, Perth.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1990 for Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Main printing process(es): Litho, die-cut

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands commissioned Scott to print stamps, but in a letter to the compiler of this web-site, the company sales manager stated "we have little demand for this form of production".

Clearly, this is not a printer name that we shall see much of in our stamp albums.


Seligson and Clare, Alexandria, NSW.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1977 for Australia.

This company was a sub-contractor to Fields in 1977 when problems were encountered with producing the Silver Jubilee issue. No further involvement in stamp printing.


SEP Sprint (Australia) Pty Ltd., Melbourne.
Main printing process(es): Litho.

This is a company established in January 2005 through the purchase of the printing business of SNP Ausprint Pty Ltd. The newly formed company continues the business of the previous owners as the major supplier of stamps to Australia Post and is now developing a significant stamp export business. A recent notable achievement was the printing of two lenticular stamps for Royal TPG Post (The Netherlands) featuring the gold medal winning performances of Dutch speed skaters, with the stamps featuring Ard Schenk and Yvonne van Gennip.


W. E. Smith & Co., Sydney.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1907 for the Solomon Islands British Protectorate.


SNP Ausprint Pty. Limited, Melbourne.
Abbreviation known by: SNP.
Main printing process(es): Litho.

This company came about when SNP Cambec changed its name in 1998. At the time of the changeover, they were responsible for the production of all Australia Post needs for self-adhesive stamps and much of the water-soluble stamps as well. Incidentally, SNP stands for Singapore National Printers Limited.


SNP Cambec Pty. Limited, Melbourne.
Re-formed: 1995.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: [when?].

SNP Cambec was the 1990s trading name for Cambec Press, one of Australia's leading security stamp printers. The company was purchased by the SNP Corporation of Singapore on 10 July 1995 and as of 1998 was responsible for printing most of the Australia Post postage stamp requirements. They specialise in self-adhesive 'peel and stick' production and much of the sheet printed needs.

In 1998, they changed their name to SNP Ausprint.


Sprintpak-SNP, Knoxfield, Victoria.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: [when?].
Main printing process(es): Litho

Sprintpak-SNP is a strategic trading alliance between SNP Cambec, an internationally recognised security printer, and Sprintpak, the philatelic production division of Australia Post. Clients have included An Post (Ireland), the New Zealand Post Office and the postal administrations of Thailand, Nauru, Taiwan and Norfolk Island.

It was founded as a private company and was purchased in 1994 by Australia Post.


Sprintpak, Mayne Nickless Limited, Port Melbourne and Knoxfield Victoria.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1980 for Western Samoa.

Sprintpak was formed as a private company and was a unit of Mayne Nickless Limited. An early company advert showed them as manufacturers and suppliers of presentation stamp packs for postal administrations, miscellaneous philatelic services and distribution and warehousing of security products.

It was subsequently purchased by Australia Post as its first subsidiary company. It was incorporated as a division of Australia Post in July 1994.


Stamp Printing Branch of the Commonwealth
            Treasury Department, Melbourne.
Founded: 1909. (See the entry for J B Cooke, the Commonwealth Stamp Printer.)

This office was abolished as a separate entity when Mr Cooke retired in May 1918, all stamps then being printed by the Note Printing Branch.


Surveyor-General's Department, Perth.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1854 for Western Australia.

Believed to have produced stamps to meet the 4d and 1/- rates locally.


Victoria(n) Government Printer, Melbourne.
Abbreviation known by: VGP.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1906 for New South Wales.
Main printing process(es): Litho.   

VGP was approached by Australia Post in 1980 to print stamps once more. However, there were problems encountered by them when printing the Australian Aircraft issue of October 1980 and they requested that no further commissions be awarded to them.


Western Australian Government Printing Division, Perth.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: [when?].


W. H. Wilcock, CBE, General Manager, Note Printing Branch, Melbourne.

Mr Wilcock succeeded Mr McCracken and was in office during a period of great technical innovation. He also saw the changeover to decimal currency prior to his retirement on 14 November 1969.