+ Issue Date : 03/1983
+ Classification : Postage Stamp
+ Emission : Definitive / General Issue
+ Designer : Mohammed Yusof bin Mohamed Saman (Forest Research Instutite of Malaysia) / Artworks: Malaysian Adver
+ Printer : Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd., Melbourne
+ Printing : Lithography
+ Watermark : Unwatermarked
+ Perforations : 14½
+ Separations : Normal Perforations
+ Gum Type : Gum
+ Shape : Rectangular
+ Orientation : Horizontal
The increase in domestic letter rate from 15 cents to 20 cents from 1 January 1983 bringing a sudden demand for 5 cents and 20 cents stamp resulted into acute shortage of these stamps.
In 1983, 20 cents stamps were reprinted on unwatermarked paper with white smooth gum instead of the usual POS watermarked paper hithertho used, probably as a rushed order to keep the post offices supplied.
No official issue date was announced. The earliest known date recorded for the use of reprinted 20 cents is 22 February 1983.
New improved reprints were printed by Leigh-Mardon on unwatermarked paper used for the "interim/intermediate" reprints, with enhanced appearance derived from the use of new colours. The colours were generally brighter and overal appearance were sharper with better details.
Asher & Company Pty. Ltd., Melbourne
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. Ltd., having been taken-over the month before.
