This historical illustration depicts the arrival of the First Fleet in Australia, rendered in the style of a commemorative stamp sheet. The central scene shows a group of eighteenth-century British naval officers and marines on a shoreline, raising a flag near a cluster of trees. In the background, across a calm body of water, a tall ship sits anchored near low, rolling hills. In the foreground, white cranes wade in the shallows near the sandy bank where the figures stand.
The artwork features a muted, earthy colour palette dominated by soft greens, browns, blues, and ochres, suggesting an early colonial setting. The composition is structured by a horizontal row of smaller illustrations along the bottom, which resemble perforated postage stamps. These miniature vignettes depict various scenes of early interaction and local wildlife, including figures on a beach, kangaroos, and forest landscapes.
The overall aesthetic is that of a watercolour and ink drawing, emphasizing historical detail in the uniforms and naval equipment. At the top left, the text reads "January 1788: ARRIVAL." The bottom section contains repeated text across the stamp motifs, noting "Australia The First Fleet" and "37c," framing the image as a philatelic collection celebrating Australian history.