B.C.O.F. Rare series

Recapping a brief history of these iconic stamps linked to an historical event that changed the world.

As a result of the Japanese surrender, the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (B.C.O.F.) was formed with troops from Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and India. Headquarters were in Kure, Japan, and postal services were provided by the Australian Army Postal Service.

These overprints exist as an effort to suppress the black market that had sprung up in the sale of goods from Military Canteens and stores.

The troops could sell their goods and remit the profits made in the form of Australian stamps which their relatives back home could exchange back to cash at any Australian post office (The Post Office charged 5% for this service).

To prevent stamps being 'legal tender' only overprints were subsequently issued and they were only valid for postage from Japan, via, the Australian Army Postal Service (who issued these stamps to the troops in restricted quantities).

There were seven values issued - the ½d Kangaroo, 1d Queen Elizabeth, 3d George VI, 6d Kookaburra, 1/- Lyrebird, 2/- Kangaroo (redrawn die), and the 5/- Queen Elizabeth in Coronation Robes on thick and thin papers.

The first three values ½d, 1d and 3d were issued on October 12, 1946 but were withdrawn the following day because approval to overprint Australian stamps had never been sought nor granted.

This printing was a trial overprint of the thin serif type.

All were from an experimental proof sheet printing and it is believed only one sheet was printed before deciding not to proceed with these particular types.

The series were re-issued with the seven values on May 8, 1947.

The stamps were overprinted by the Hiroshima Printing Ca, Japan using a 160 on forme of electrotype (2 panes x 80).

The ½d Kangaroo had a red overprint; the 1d Queen also had a red overprint and a dull grey black overprint. The 3d George VI brown had three types of overprint, gold, red and black, the gold being the scarcest of the overprints.

The B.C.O.F. stamps were withdrawn on February 12, 1949 and unsold remainders were destroyed by burning on March 28, 1949.

The official figures of the stamps issued were:

½d - 189,670; 1d - 378,750; 3d - 891,643; 6d - 136,133; I/- - 131,055; 2/- - 62,651; 5/- - 32,508.

Only 6,000 of the thin paper were issued.

The stamps displayed are all mint unhinged with full original gum. The missing colour trial proof is the 3d King George VI with red overprint.