The Sydney Views are among the most important and beautiful stamps in Australian philately. Issued on 1 January 1850, they were the first postage stamps ever issued by New South Wales and the first pictorial stamps produced anywhere in the British Empire—predating Australia’s national stamps by more than 60 years. Unlike most early British colonial stamps, which featured Queen Victoria, the Sydney Views celebrated the young colony itself with a detailed engraving of Sydney Cove, making them instantly recognisable to collectors worldwide.
What makes the series particularly fascinating is that there were three face values—1 Penny, 2 Pence, and 3 Pence—and each was engraved separately. The plates were repeatedly repaired, re-engraved, and retouched, creating dozens of collectible varieties that specialists still study today.
The Story Behind the Sydney Views
By the late 1840s, New South Wales needed a more efficient postal system. Following postal reforms authorised in 1848, the colony introduced adhesive postage stamps from 1 January 1850. Rather than copying Britain’s famous Penny Black, colonial authorities commissioned a uniquely Australian design showing the growing settlement at Sydney Harbour.
The design is generally attributed to members of the Clayton engraving family, particularly Robert Clayton and his son Thomas, who engraved the plates locally in Sydney. Their work produced an intricate steel-engraved image packed with symbolic detail.
The Symbolism of the Design
The central vignette depicts Sydney Cove, but it includes numerous symbols representing the colony’s prosperity and growth.
Visible elements include:
- Sailing ships entering the harbour
- Government buildings
- Merchandise on the waterfront
- A beehive representing industry
- Agricultural tools
- The Latin motto Sic Fortis Etruria Crevit (“Thus Etruria grew strong”), suggesting New South Wales would prosper as ancient Etruria once did.
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The Three Original Sydney Views
1 Penny Red
The 1 Penny Red was the workhorse of the postal system, paying ordinary local letter rates.
Issued: 1 January 1850
Colour: Red
Purpose: Local postage
Scarcity: The most commonly encountered Sydney View, although fine four-margin examples remain highly desirable.
Plates
The 1d stamp exists from:
- Plate I
- Plate II
Each plate was repeatedly retouched, producing many collectible varieties.
2 Pence Blue
The 2 Pence Blue is arguably the most famous member of the series because it underwent the greatest number of plate alterations.
Issued: September 1850
Colour: Blue to Ultramarine
Purpose: Heavier inland postage
Five Different Plates
Unlike the 1d and 3d values, the 2d required extensive repairs.
Collectors recognise:
- Plate I
- Plate II
- Plate III
- Plate IV
- Plate V
Each plate displays distinct characteristics, making plate identification a major collecting field in its own right.
Some Plate V examples are among the rarest Sydney View stamps.
3 Pence Yellow-Green
The 3 Pence Yellow-Green is the highest value of the original Sydney Views and one of the most sought-after examples for collectors.
Issued: Late 1850
Colour: Yellow-Green
Purpose: Higher postal rates and longer-distance mail
Only a single plate was produced, although numerous colour shades and retouches exist.
Your recently listed SG 39 belongs to this famous denomination.
Sydney View Plates at a Glance
| Denomination | Colour | Plates |
|---|---|---|
| 1d | Red | 2 |
| 2d | Blue | 5 |
| 3d | Yellow-Green | 1 |
The series contains eight principal plates, but the numerous re-entries, retouches, and colour variations expand the number of recognised varieties dramatically.
Why So Many Varieties?
The Sydney Views were printed under difficult colonial conditions.
Problems included:
- worn engraving plates
- repeated repairs
- uneven inking
- varying paper quality
- hand-cut imperforate sheets
Instead of replacing damaged plates, engravers often repaired individual positions, creating constant varieties that specialists still identify today.
How Collectors Identify Sydney Views
Experienced collectors examine several characteristics.
1. Margins
Because these stamps are imperforate, they were cut apart with scissors.
Four clear margins greatly increase desirability.
2. Plate Characteristics
Small differences reveal the plate.
Examples include:
- broken letters
- altered ornaments
- frame flaws
- retouched shading
3. Colour Shades
Each denomination exists in multiple shades.
Examples include:
- Bright Red
- Carmine Red
- Deep Blue
- Ultramarine
- Yellow-Green
- Olive-Green
4. Cancellations
Early numeral cancellations from colonial post offices can significantly increase value, especially scarce country postmarks.
The Famous Watermark Story
One of New South Wales’ most unusual collecting areas appeared shortly after the Sydney Views.
Beginning with later Queen Victoria issues, the colony used paper watermarked with the stamp’s denomination.
Occasionally printers mismatched paper and printed the wrong denomination on it.
These watermark errors became some of Australia’s greatest philatelic rarities.
Are Sydney Views Valuable?
Values vary enormously depending on:
- denomination
- plate
- margins
- condition
- cancellation
- rarity of variety
Approximate market observations:
| Type | Typical Collector Market |
|---|---|
| 1d Used | Hundreds of dollars |
| 2d Used | Hundreds to thousands |
| 3d Used | Several hundred to several thousand |
| Rare Plate Varieties | Tens of thousands |
| Exceptional Covers | Six-figure prices possible |
Specialist auctions regularly achieve strong prices for important Sydney View material, particularly complete plate collections and rare multiples.
Building a Sydney Views Collection
There are several enjoyable ways to collect the series.
Beginner Collection
- 1d used
- 2d used
- 3d used
Intermediate Collection
- All three denominations
- Four-margin examples
- Different numeral cancels
Advanced Collection
- Every major plate
- Colour shades
- Constant varieties
- Covers
- Essays and proofs
Some of Australia’s greatest philatelists have spent decades building Sydney View collections because no two examples are exactly alike.
Collectors’ Tip
If you’re collecting by Stanley Gibbons (SG) numbers—as you are with your SG 39 3d Yellow-Green—it’s worth noting that the catalogue assigns different numbers not only to the denominations but also to many of the different plates and shades. A complete Sydney Views collection in SG terms extends well beyond just three stamps, encompassing dozens of recognised major varieties.
Why the Sydney Views Still Matter
More than 175 years after their release, the Sydney Views remain icons of Australian history. They capture a young colonial Sydney before the Harbour Bridge or Opera House existed, making them more than postage stamps—they are miniature engravings of Australia’s earliest urban landscape. For collectors of Australian States, British Commonwealth classics, or early pictorial stamps, the Sydney Views represent one of the most rewarding and historically significant series ever produced.
Check out our other guides on Australia’s First stamps
