Front:
SHINGTON
JAN
Happy Bicentennial
Australia!
26
1988
20066
1788
1988
USA 22
Back:
HAPPY BICENTENNIAL!
First Day of Issue: January 26, 1988
First Issue Location: Washington, D.C.
In 1976, Americans celebrated their Bicentennial. On
January 26, 1988, Australians celebrated theirs. With
fanfare, the people honored 200 years of Australian his-
tory. In 1788, English prison ships brought the first
“settlers” to Australia. From this dubious beginning, Aus-
tralians have built a strong and prosperous nation. Today,
from the Great Barrier Reef to the expansive outback,
Australia is a land of which to be proud. Her cities are
exceptional, welcoming Americans with a feeling of
home. Partly because of this, Americans share a warm
relationship with her; the two are “mates” in the finest
sense of the word. The U.S. and Australia stand together
as two nations which have shared a similar past, and,
as friends, face a bright future. Thus, on this special
occasion, America and Australia chose to offer their first
joint stamp issue. As the stamp on this Maximum Card
was being issued in Washington, D.C., a stamp bearing
the same design was being released in Sydney, marking
friendship on the Bicentennial of a nation.
No. 88-4
©1988 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Tom McNeely.
