Australia Post pays tribute to Dame Nellie Melba

Australia Post has released a stamp issue for the 150th anniversary of the birth Australia’s first international “superstar,” soprano, Dame Nellie Melba (1861–1931).

Melba was born Helen Porter Mitchell at Richmond, Melbourne, on May 19, 1861, and made her debut at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1884. After an audition in Paris, Mitchell adopted the name Melba after her home city, and made her debut on the European opera stage in Brussels in 1887. After a triumphant season at Covent Garden in London the same year, Melba was feted all over Europe. She became best known for her interpretation of Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème which she premiered at the Royal Opera House in London in 1899.

Her glittering career continued until the 1920s. In 1927 Melba was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (G.B.E.). Suffering ill health, she returned to Australia in early 1931 and died in Sydney a few weeks later.

The stamp is based on a portrait, entitled Madame Melba, by Australian artist Rupert Bunny (1864–1947) and also bears Melba’s signature as part of the design.

Commissioned by Melba, the oil on canvas was begun in Paris in 1901 and completed in London the following year, after which it was shown at the Royal Academy. Melba, then at the height of her career and fame, is shown in a regal pose as befits the Grande Dame of opera and society. She wears a flowing white gown and silk stole, pearls and a flamboyant hat.

The painting hung in her London house until she gave it as a present to J.C. Williamson. It remained hanging in Melbourne’s Princess Theatre until purchased by Dinah and Henry Krongold who presented it to the National Gallery of Victoria in 1980.

The Dame Nellie Melba (1861–1931) stamp was designed by Melbourne-based Passmore Design. Included among the company’s other stamp designs are Whales Down Under (2006), 50th Anniversary of the Special Air Service (2007) and the balloons design as part of the For Special Occasions (2010) stamp issue.

The Dame Nellie Melba product range includes a stamp and coin cover. This collectable cover features the Dame Nellie Melba 60c stamp and an aluminium bronze $1 coin, which has been produced by the Perth Mint.

The Dame Nellie Melba (1861–1931) stamp products also include a sheetlet of 10 x 60c stamps, first day cover, stamp pack, maxicard and a self-adhesive booklet of 20 x 60c stamps. The stamp and associated products are available from participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks last.

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