New Zealand Post wrote on their web site, "Join the mighty race of Dwarves with a brand new range of personalised stamps made especially for the final film in Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies."
For Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit fans this is another interesting and unusual stamp issue. It was released on the 15th October and consists of two parts. First is the collectors part which features a miniature sheet and its First Day Cover. Included on this sheet are the two stamp which can be seen to the right. Since these two stamps will be only sold in miniature sheets it is not expected that many will be used for postage.
The second part is where a person can up-load their photo and make personal stamps for their own use. The idea here is that a person selects the dwarf of their choice whose hair and other features will be applied to their own photo. (See the pictures further down this post.) The photo is then used to create a personalised stamp that is purchased in a sheet of 20 for $25.90.
The Miniature Sheet.
Wow! Anyone who likes the Hobbit movies is going to like this. Three dwarfs can be seen ready with their weapons. On the left are two stamps showing Frodo, Gandalf and the dwarfs. The lower value of 80c would be suitable for Domestic mail while the $2.50 would more likely be used on overseas mail. As I said above I do not believe many will be removed from their miniature sheet so expect used copies of these to increase in value once this issue is with-drawn from sale.
The First Day Cover.
The miniature sheet we saw above has its own especially designed First Day Cover. I like the two dwarfs on the left wielding those huge battle axes.
The Personal Stamps.
This design of personal stamps is the best I've seen. You up-load your own photo and place the image, hair and other features of one of the dwarfs over the top, leaving only your face showing. Useing the editing tools provided you carefully fit the two images together until you achieve a result you like. It might be necessary to try more than one dwarf image. Once done you use the image created to make your own postage stamps. 20 stamps will cost $25.90.
To ‘Dwarf’ yourself, simply click here and follow these three easy steps:
1. Select the Dwarf character of your choice from one of the 13 available options.
2. Select the digital photo you want to use from your computer files. Use the online tool to resize, rotate or crop and lighten or darken the image until you’re happy with how you look.
3. Select the stamp denomination/s and number of stamp sheets you’d like to purchase, then add to your shopping cart for payment.
You’ll receive your stamps within approximately 5 working days of placing your order.
Personal stamps using the dwarf tools. Personal stamps using own photograph.
Allan the owner of this blog had a go up-loading his photo. After a bit of simple editing, using the tools provided, he became the dwarfs Gloin or Kili. Big improvement don't you think? Ha! Ha!
