Historical information

In 1987, Australia Post released Christmas stamps and two first-day covers (envelopes with stamps affixed) with the Carols by Candlelight theme. The top first-day cover has a red candle in a gold old-style candlelight holder, with five stamps showing groups of people who are singing and holding similar candles. A large '50th Performance of Carols by Candlelight, Melbourne, Vic 3000, 24 Dec 1987' mark is stamped on the envelope, which has a background image of the Myer Music Bowl, a candle and songbook. The lower first-day cover has a boy holding a red candle in his right hand and a songbook in his left, singing. Two stamps, different to the ones in the envelope above, are affixed to the envelope and consist of groups of people holding red candles and singing. One '50th Performance of Carols by Candlelight ...' cancellation mark is stamped. In between the two envelopes is a photograph which shows the Myer Music Bowl at night, from the rear of the large crowd who are holding candles and songbooks.