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Norfolk Island Penal Settlement – 200 Years
Norfolk Island was subject to two periods of penal settlement by Britain: the first from 1788 to 1814, the second from 1825 to 1855.
The second penal settlement was intended to turn the island into a “great hulk or penitentiary”, a place of punishment for those recalcitrant male convicts who had reoffended since being deported to the Australian colonies.
On 6 June 1825, 57 convicts reoccupied the island and by 1834, there were nearly 700 prisoners. They received harsh, inhumane treatment, including floggings, restraint with leg irons, poor food, inadequate housing and hard labour in chain gangs.
Between 1828 and 1850, convicts were transported to and from the island on around 40 voyages.
In 1853, Britain stopped the transportation of prisoners to Van Diemen’s Land, which is where the last of the Norfolk Island convicts were taken in May 1855.
Stamps in this issue:
- $1.50 Badge of the 99th Regiment - The 99th was the last regiment stationed on the island during the Second Penal Settlement. This regiment was first raised in 1760 and was disbanded several times before being raised in 1824 as the 99th (Lanarkshire) Regiment of Foot. The 99th came to Australia in 1843 and contingents served in Hobart, Sydney, Norfolk Island, New Zealand and Victoria at various times. The commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Henry Despard. The regiment left Australia in 1856. The background of the stamp shows a detail from Norfolk Island – the convict system, wood engraving, London, 12 June 1847, National Library of Australia, PIC Drawer 3843 #S9883. The text is taken from Norfolk Island – Returns, 1828-29, [4/117], Reel 764, State Library of New South Wales. The photograph of the badge was supplied by the Norfolk Island Museum.
- $3 Convict Padlock - The second penal settlement was notoriously cruel and prisoners were locked in cells and restrained with leg irons. The background of the stamp shows a detail from Norfolk Island – the convict system, wood engraving, London, 12 June 1847, National Library of Australia, PIC Drawer 3843 #S9883. The text is taken from Norfolk Island – Returns, 1828-29, [4/117], Reel 764, State Library of New South Wales. The photograph of the padlock was supplied by the Norfolk Island Museum.
Specifications:
- Issue date - 4 February 2025
- Issue withdrawal date - 1 September 2025
- Denomination - 1 x $1.50, 1 x $3
- Stamp typography & product design - Lisa Christensen, Three Branches Design
- Paper: gummed - Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor/Blue PVA Stamp Paper
- Printer: gummed - EGO
- Printing process - Offset lithography
- Stamp size (mm) - 26 x 37.5
- Minisheet size (mm) - 135 x 80
- Perforations - 13.86 x 14.6
- Sheet layout - Module of 50
- FDI postmark - Norfolk Island NSW 2899
- FDI withdrawal date - 5 March 2025