From 1913 Australian stamps were used on Norfolk Island. After various requests approval was finally granted in 1939 for separate Norfolk Island postage stamps. Stamps were printed in 1940 but were not issued due to wartime problems. After much delay, the first issue of Norfolk Island stamps occurred on 10 June 1947.
The stamp was designed and engraved by Frank Manley based on a photograph of Ball Bay taken by local resident Roy Bell.
