New South Wales 'Sydney View' Imperforate

Australia · 1850 · 1d (One Penny)

This stamp, known as the 'Sydney View', is the first postage stamp issued by the colony of New South Wales. The design features an allegorical representation of Industry seated on a bale, overlooking Sydney Harbour with a pickaxe and spade nearby. The Latin motto 'SIC FORTIS ETRURIA CREVIT' (Thus Etruria grew strong) is inscribed below.

Issued in 1850, this was one of the first stamps in the world, following Great Britain's Penny Black by a decade. It represents the beginning of postal services in the Australian colonies, predating the federation of Australia by over 50 years.