1980 Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday - 2007 Imperforate and Perforated Reprints

These two exclusive 'Imperforate and Perforated' Reprints of the 1980 Queen Elizabeth Birthday stamp were released in the 2007 Prestige booklet titled, 'Behind the Stamp', compiled and edited by the renowned philatelist, Richard Breckon. The objective of the booklet was to highlight milestone precedents and marketing trends in the postal service as they evolved through time. In fondness and recognition of Queen Elizabeth, the first Australian stamp issue celebrating her birthday was launched in 1980. From thereon, an annual release followed, distinguishing Australia as being the only Commonwealth nation to do so.

As with her predecessors, King George V and her father, George V1, the reigning monarch was featured on Australia's regular-issue definitive stamps. However, the 1971 7c Purple QE11 stamp was the final definitive stamp released, ending a long-established expectation. Royalists and traditionalists were not happy. Eventually they were appeased with the issuing of the 1977 Silver Jubilee stamps and the introduction of the annual Birthday issues soon after.

Of added philatelic significance, the stamps are Micro-print dated, 2007 (BL Corner), and the Perforated stamp is gauge 14 3/4 x 14 versus the 13 x 13 1/4 of the original issue.