North West Pacific Islands

The North West Pacific Islands (NWPI) were regions were captured by Australian forces during World War I. This included German New Guinea/New Guinea, Nauru and the Bismarck Archipelago. Nauru became postally independent in 1916 but NWPI sramps could be used there until 1924.

 File:NW Pacific Roo.jpg|1915 9d roo with two longtailed "S"s File:NW Pacific KGV.jpg|1922 4d George V with two normal "S"s File:NW Pacific perfin OS.jpg|1919 5d OS perfin 
 * In 1915-16, Australian stamps were overprinted N. W. / PACIFIC / ISLANDS.. The "P" is directly over the first "S" of "Islands". This includes various values of:
 * George V heads with second/pointed top crown over A watermark.
 * Roos with first/wide crown over A watermark.
 * Roos with with third/narrow crown over A watermark.
 * In 1918, 2 overprinted values were surcharged One Penny.
 * In 1918-22, a new version of overprints was issued, with the leg of the "P" over the space between "IS" of "Islands". This includes values of:
 * George V heads with second/pointed top crown over A watermark.
 * Roos with with third/narrow crown over A watermark.
 * New George V values in changed colors with second watermark.
 * A ½d George V with multiple narrow crown over A watermark.

Official issues

 * In 1919-23, contemporary Australian stamps overprinted with the last "N.W. PACIFIC ISLANDS." overprint were punched with the small OS perfin ("S" with eleven holes).
 * In 1925-31, contemporary Australian stamps were overprinted O S in serifed type.