
So here we have the most important source of fresh water of all, rain. For it falls without restriction, filling reservoirs, and streams, and it may also be collected in buckets for domestic use, even for drinking. We may moan to see it, but it could be the difference between life and death for many people and animals.
Now this code, and the information, comes from our reference book RB.30, The Australian and New Zealand Index, published in 1983. It is quite scarce now, and no longer in print.
It tells us that Shell issued their first cards in Australia in 1959, and it was a large group of nine sets, which ended in 1965. As this is the first time that we have featured one of those Shell sets as a Card of the Day, it will be the home page for this group. We must start by saying that though the numbers run one after the other until number 540, there was a bit of confusion along the way, but we will deal with that as we go along.
So the entire group set is listed in our original Australian and New Zealand Index under SHELL (Service Stations). It comes under group 1, "Issues in Australia - Inscribed "Shell" without full name", and is listed as :
(a) Issues 1959-65. Nine sets numbered 1/540 except set SH6-3.1 which is numbered 1/60 instead of 421/480. Set SH6-2.2 was not actually issued, but remainders became available. Albums issued.
Discover Australia with Shell. 76-78 x 51. Four sets of 60. ... SH6-1
- Nos. 1/60, back vertical. Flora and Fauna. Two pictures at No.5 (Kangaroo Paw) - (1) flower with three stems (2) flower with two stems. Few copies of album known - it was probably withdrawn as it contains errors so that all cards do not fit the places provided.
(this set is featured in our newsletter for the 24th of January 2025, on Wednesday, 29th January)- Nos. 61/120, back horizontal. Shells, Fish and Coral
- Nos. 121/180, back horizontal. Birds
- Nos. 181/240, back horizontal. Butterflies and Moths
Picture Cards. 76 x 51. Two sets of 60 ... SH6-2
- Titled "Beetle Series". Nd. 301/360
- Titled "Pets". Nd. 481/540
Project Cards. 76 x 51. Three sets of 60. ... SH6-3
- Titled "Citizenship Series". Nd. 1/60
- Titled "Meterology Series" Nd. 261/420 - our set today
- Titled "Transportation Series". Nd. 241/300
Now Shell used "Discover Australia With Shell" as a title again, between 1975 and 1982, but this time for large plates, measuring 357 x 336 m/m or 285 m/m square. They are not related to our set.
Project cards. 76 x 51. Three sets of 60. …. SR6-3
1. Titled “Citizenship Series”. Nd. 1/60.
2. Titled “Meteorology Series”. Nd. 261/420.
3. Titled “Transportation Series”. Nd. 241/300.
though as the “Citizenship” set started with number 1 all over again when it was supposed to be numbered 421 to 460.