The complete series of Paralympic Games stamps and stamp products is included in this framed presentation set that Australia Post gave to the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee 3 July 2000 - the first day of issue. Importantly, the set illustrates the official colour palette and graphic designs for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games - orange, gold, dark green, lime green, purple and blue coupled with tinted photographs of Paralympic athletes. This item complements a second framed set of Paralympic Games stamps (2001/84/365), as well as other Paralympic Games material in the Sydney 2000 Games Collection.

In a profitable agreement with the International Olympic Committee, Universal Parcel Service (UPS) gained worldwide sponsorship of freight and mail for the Olympic Games until 2004. Ultimately, this contract would restrict Australia Post in its production and issue of stamps and other postal products for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Nonetheless, both UPS and Australia Post provided retail outlets at the Sydney Olympic Village, and Australia Post hand delivered mail to all village occupants.

In addition to this retail outlet, Australia Post operated a 'P-Stamp' (Personalised Stamp) booth at Olympic Village, and sold stamps with photographic portraits of Olympic spectators. Using Fuji Xerox technology, it also manufactured 'instant stamps' with photographs of Australian gold-medallists in the moments after their victories. These sold on the days proceeding Australian gold-medal presentations.

The production of stamps and postal products was less restricted for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, allowing Australian Post to become an official sponsor. It released two series of commemorative stamps and stamp products as well as sheets of P-Stamps depicting individual members of the Australian Paralympic team. The stamps retailed at face value until December 2000, and each team member received twenty sheets for personal use, fan mail or fundraising.

On 3 July 2000, Australia Post released its series of stamps and stamp products commemorating the Paralympic Games. These items included three maximum cards valued at 49 cents, two maximum cards valued at 45 cents, a first day cover, and a stamp folder containing ten large letter stamps. They were designed by FHA Image Design of Melbourne.

Designed by FHA Image Design, Melbourne for Australia Post

Made by Australia Post, framed by Mahoney's of Melbourne

Australia Post presented the framed set of stamps and stamp products to SPOC on 3 July 2000 to commemorate the first day of issue of Paralympic stamps.

Presented to SPOC by Australia Post on 3 July 2000. Donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

Stamp set, in rectangular black aluminium frame with a glass plate and silver and beige mounts. There are three maximum cards with stamps valued at 49 cents. These feature, shot-put, wheelchair basketball and cycling. There are 2 maximum cards with stamps valued at 45 cents, featuring wheelchair tennis and a relay runner. Two copies of the same stamp set are featured. One shows the stamp set folder closed displaying the cover of the stamp set, the other shows the stamp set folder open displaying the stamps contained in the stamp set. The cover of the folder features a blurred image of men in wheelchairs playing basketball with an oblique blue panel down the right side and along the bottom. White text along the panel "Sydney 2000", and yellow text "Paralympic Games". One side of the open folder features 4 stamps (two 45c and three 49c stamps) showing Paralympians competing in wheelchair tennis, relay, women's wheelchair basketball, cycling and shot put. The opposite side of the folder is yellow featuring an image of women's wheelchair basketball and black text providing information about the Paralympic Games. Also featured in the frame is a first day cover (envelope) featuring the same 5 stamps shown in the stamp set. There is also a small cardboard stamp folder featuring Paralympic Cyclists. It has maroon text "$4.90", black text "10 x 49c" and white text in a maroon panel at the base of the folder "Large Letter Stamps". "Sydney 2000 is written in blue followed by "Paralympic Games" in maroon. Attached to the base of the frame is a silver plaque with "Sydney 2000 Paralympic First Day of Issue 3 July 2000",engraved on it. On the back of the frame are two metal hooks holding a nylon cord to hang the frame. The framer's label, "Mahoney's", is attached to the back of the frame.

2001/84/364

665 mm

13 mm