The company was formed in 1884 and became Australasia's largest music publisher and music sales outlet. The stylised lyre with its boomerangs became their symbol at an early date. They sold musical instruments as well as sheet music. Their headquarters was for many years Boomerang House at 137-9 King St, Sydney. They are still active today at 9 Rangers Rd, Neutral Bay, Sydney (1997).
Date: 1923-4
Issues: 3
Size: 19 mm diam.
Perf: 12, or circular die-punched
Rarity: RRR
Design: Circular, with J. ALBERT & SON ROYALTY STAMP
between inner and outer rings. In the centre is a stylised lyre formed from
5 boomerangs and 7 woomeras (Aboriginal throwing spears). The 'JAS' signature
appears across the stamp. A panel at the base holds the value. Found perforated
in green and die-punched in red.
.
Date: 1923-5
Issues: 11
Size: 19 x 19 mm
Perf: 11.5
Rarity: RR
Design: As Type 1, but with triangular corner ornaments with curlicues
within. All vermilion, but signatures and value in blue, black or green,
and signature horizontal in black values.
Date: 1925
Issues: 2
Size: 17 x 17 mm
Perf: 14 x 15 or 15 x 14
Rarity: C
Design: As previous types, but country name (NEW ZEALAND
or AUSTRALIA) in band across middle. This type appears printed in England
by Harrisons.
Date: 1925-38
Issues: 110+
Size: 15.5 x 15.5 mm
Perf: 10 or 11
Rarity: CC
Design: As Type 2 but smaller. There were several series using
this basic design, with a variety of fonts, perforations, papers and shades
of red. A chalk-surfaced paper was also used for a time. A special series
in green, with black values and signatures, was prepared for New Zealand
around 1930. Both colour groups also appeared with a stylised 'FDH' signature
(Francis, Day & Hunter) in place of the usual 'JAS'.
Date: 1933-7
Issues: 12
Size: 16 x 16 mm
Perf: 10 or 11
Rarity: R
Design: As Type 5 but slightly larger. The abbreviation 'LTD'
has been added to the company name and the value panel now has convex edges.
Date: 1937-66
Issues: 250+
Size: 17 x 17 mm
Perf: 10, 11 or rouletted
Rarity: CC
Design: As Type 5 but 'LTD' replaced with 'PTY LTD' (Proprietry
Limited) in two lines. This long-running type has many variations in perforation,
font and paper. A printing in carmine with black signature is occasionally
found, but only on Macquarie records. The later issues dispensed first with
the typeset value, and finally the signature.
Date: 1957
Issues: 1
Size: 8 mm diam.
Perf: die-punched
Rarity: RRRR
Design: As Type 1 but with just ROYALTY at the base, and no value
tablet. In addition, the abbreviations 'PTY. LTD.' appear in two lines
after '& SON'.
1d and 2 1/4d vermilion,green on Mastertouch
medley roll, with Allan (x2) and Davis.
Sample Sets: Type 6 (Unsurfaced,
p11, 1940-65)
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©Adam Miller 1997-2006
