2005 The Chronicles of Narnia I

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

        This movie is based on the second book of The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. I don't know why they didn't start with the first book telling of how Narnia was created by Aslan the Lion. Anyway the movie vividly brings to life this popular children's story using stunning graphics and visual effects.
        The story opens as World War II brings the carnage and terror of the Blitz to London. The four Pevensie children - Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy - are sent away to stay with Professor Kirke in his ancient mansion. It is a strange house fill of many apparently unused rooms. It one stand this wardrobe by itself.





                       Lucy and the Wardrobe - 45c

         In a game of hide-and-seek Lucy decides to duck into what looks like an old wardrobe, only it turns out to be a doorway to the strange and mysterious world of Narnia. She meets the faun Mr. Tumnus, who takes her to his house and tells her more about this extraordinary yet dangerous place ruled by the cruel White Witch. Narnia is under her spell and locked in an endless winter.








         Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan - 90c

          Peter, Susan and Edmund follow Lucy on her second trip into Narnia. They find themselves standing beneath a London lamppost. This was taken to Narnia by the White Witch in an earlier story. 
           Lucy takes them to meet Mr Tumnus, only to find that her one friend in this world has been captured by the White Witch. Word had got back to the witch that Mr Tumnus had met and talked to Lucy. It is then that the children meet Mr Beaver - the first talking animal they have ever encountered.


        The White Witch and Edmund - $1.35 

        Edmund enters the world of Narnia through the wardrobe. He finds himself in a snow-covered forest, again where he meets the White Witch. Knowing that when four human children come to Narnia, her evil reign will end, the White Witch intoxicates Edmund with magical Turkish Delight. She then takes him to her palace as bait to trap the other three children.




                        



                        The Frozen Army - $1.50

         Statues in the courtyard of the White Witch's Castle show what awaits those who challenge the White Witch. They will remain frozen in stone until Aslan, the Great Lion and King of the Wood, returns to free them. Only he is powerful enough to break the Witch's spell and bring the dissenters back to life.








                Aslan and Lucy - $2.00 


        Susan and Lucy keep vigil over the body of their friend Aslan. Dawn breaks and as it does so, the Stone Table on which Aslan rests shatters. Aslan comes back to life, and together the mighty lion and the children rush to the Witch's castle, to restore the stone statues to life. The White Witch is defeated in battle and spring returns to Narnia.
         Peter, Susan, Edward and Lucy take their place as kings and queens ruling over Narnia.


       One day, many Narnia years later, the children now adults, find themselves back at the lamppost. They remember the wardrobe door and return to the Professor's house. They discover they had only been gone a very short time. They also discover they have arrived back as the children who had left our world.

Technical information

Date of issue:
1 December 2005
Number of stamps:
Five
Denominations and designs:
(gummed and self-adhesive) 45c Lucy and the Wardrobe, 90c Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan, $1.35 The White Witch and Edmund, $1.50 The Frozen Army, $2.00 Aslan and Lucy
Stamps and first day cover designed by:                        
Commarts Design, Wellington
Printer and process:
Gummed: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by offset lithography; Self-adhesive: Wyatt & Wilson, New Zealand
Number of colours:
Four process colours
Stamp size and format:
Gummed: 30mm x 45mm (vertical and horizontal); Self-adhesive: 37mm x 26mm (vertical and horizontal)
Paper type:
Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor stamp paper; Self-adhesive: red phosphor coated stamp paper
Perforation gauge:
Gummed: 14; Self-adhesive: die cut
Special blocks:
Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode, value blocks and logo blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least two stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B format.
Period of sale:
These stamps remained on sale until 30 November 2006.


Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their web site and On-line Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/

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