New South Wales 85 is arguably the first map stamp with a design
error. In any case,
this stamp is one of the earliest cartophiatelic design errors. Below
the continent is the inscription, "One Hundred Years." The same
inscription is found on ten stamps with eight designs issued in 1888
which are generally considered to be the first commemorative stamps.
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The stamp, issued in 1888
shows a map of the Australian continent with the Provinces indicated.
However, the Province of the Northern Territory is included in South
Australia. The Northern Territory had been annexed in 1863 to South
Australia for administrative purposes, but was a separate provincial
entity. In addition the Province of Tasmania is simply omitted.
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