17 September 2012

New Stamps from New Zealand…

 

Christmas 2012

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For thousands of years people around the world have reflected on the Nativity story at Christmas time, and this traditional story is told through New Zealand's Christmas 2012 stamps.

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The five gummed stamps in this issue are a beautiful reminder of the meaning behind Christmas, and the reason we all celebrate with friends and family on 25 December. The stamps have a uniquely New Zealand touch, with a pōhutukawa motif framing each of the intricately illustrated images.

Each of the Christmas stamps tells part of the Nativity story. The 70c stamp shows Mary and Joseph with the newborn baby Jesus, and the $1.40 stamp features the shepherds who were tending their flocks nearby. The angel of the Lord who shared the news of Jesus's birth is shown on the $1.90 stamp.

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The $2.40 and $2.90 stamps show the three wise men travelling to worship Jesus, and presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

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Christmas 2012 Set of Self-adhesive Stamps

Three self-adhesive stamps are also available in denominations of 70c, $1.90 and $2.40.

 

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Christmas 2012 First Day Cover

Two first day covers are available in the Christmas 2012 stamp issue – one with the gummed stamps affixed, and the other with the self-adhesive stamps affixed. Both feature imagery of the pōhutukawa flower, which is widely recognised as New Zealand’s Christmas tree. During summer in New Zealand it is common to see a spectacular display of red flowers on pōhutukawa trees, particularly along New Zealand’s coastlines.

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Christmas 2012 Self-adhesive First Day Cover

Blenpex - 2012

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Date of issue: 12 October 2012

Blenpex 2012 is Marlborough's first National Stamp and Postcard Exhibition, and collectors from around New Zealand and the world will visit the stunning Marlborough region to attend.

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The exhibition will take place from 12 to 14 October at the Marlborough Lines Stadium in Blenheim. It will be an opportunity for philatelists to display their collections and compete for a range of awards. A ‘Gourmet Challenge’ will take place as part of the exhibition, in which exhibits will be themed around the culinary nature of the region.

To commemorate Blenpex 2012, New Zealand Post will issue an exhibition miniature sheet and an exhibition souvenir cover. Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku is featured on the collectables, the peak of which can be seen from all over Marlborough and beyond on a clear day. At 2,885 metres it is the highest mountain in New Zealand outside the main ranges of the Southern Alps.

Three stamps from New Zealand’s ‘Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee’ stamp issue are incorporated into the miniature sheet, making it a memorable collectable of both Blenpex 2012 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

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