This series of stamps and stamp products was issued by Australia Post on 3 July 2000 to commemorate the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Together, these items include 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. Designed by FHA Image Design and the Australia Post Design Studio, they include tinted photographs of Paralympic athletes and elements of the kit of parts (the Games' graphic design package). This material complements framed sets of Paralympic Games stamps (2001/84/364 and 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.

Designed by FHA Image Design and the Australia Post Design Studio, they include tinted photographs of Paralympic athletes and elements of the kit of parts (the Games' graphic design package).

These particular stamps were issued and post-marked by Australia Post on the 3 July 2000 - the first day of issue for Paralympic Games stamps.

Though these stamps and stamp products are in mint condition, they are identical to those that retailed to the Australian public before and during the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

Made for and owned by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

Postal products, including stamp packs, maximum cards and first day of cover, Paralympic Games, Sydney, 2000, paper/plastic designed by FHA Image Design, Melbourne for Australia Post, made by Australia Post, issued on 3 July 2000

Postal products, gloss paper and plastic, including two 45c maximum and three 49c maximum cards featuring images of Paralympic athletes. There is also an information card about the five maximum cards. Also included is a first day cover with two 45c stamps and three 49c stamps that feature images of Paralympic athletes and a stamp pack containing two 45c stamps and three 49c stamps which also feature images of Paralympic athletes.

Made: 2000

2001/84/242

2000