150 Posts - Celebrate New Zealand.

        
          In some ways this blog is a celebration of New Zealand through the stamps which it issues. We have looked at many aspects of this country, from its beautiful scenery to its relatively short history; form the culture of the Maori people to the proud achievements of a modern country. Of course there is much more to come. Over the next fifty posts we will continue to explore more of New Zealand's culture, heritage and history through the many issues of stamps we have yet to feature.  

          For now I want to sit back and reflect what has been achieved here. This blog started small with only one person posting. I never intended to select my post subjects in an organised way, rather just doing whatever appeals to me at the time. In some ways this has created a disorganised collection of posts, in other ways it has led to a wide variety of subjects.

         Recently a new index system listing and connecting every post to a historical list of issues has been developed by one of our writers, Asami. Another writer, Mary, has almost completed the classic section of New Zealand stamps. Her intention is to continue working forward through the 1930s. Our writer, Anne, is new to postage stamp collecting, her passion is writing. With our help and advice she has turned our some interesting posts. In another recent development we have considered the deeper aspects of stamp collecting by starting to include technical details on each stamp issue we write about now. 

          So now we come to two questions:- First; how do we celebrate 150 posts? Second; Where do we go from here?

          The second question is easy to answer. We continue on as we have been doing, posting, developing, changing as we feel the need.

         As for the first question, a recent meeting between us we looked at ideas and it finally came down to two. One was to do a post featuring stamps from many of our more popular posts, in effect letting you, our readers decided which stamps to use in a review of 150 posts. The other idea was that we should feature an issue that celebrates New Zealand in some way, which is where I began above. To celebrate New Zealand is the underlying purpose of this blog. This is what we decided, the sheet shown below was selected and it was decided I should do this post.

          First I have shown the whole sheet, then I have broken it up into single stamps so we can view each one in greater detail. When I look at this sheet I wonder just how many of them were actually broken up. In my case I just cut them out on the computer. I hope you enjoy this post as something a bit different and I hope you will still be reading this blog 50 posts from now when we celebrate 200 posts.      Allan


2010 - A Slice of Heaven.
I was not too impressed with the title of this issue. I consider it to be a bit arrogant to compare New Zealand with Heaven. Other than that I think it is a great idea to feature so much in a picture like this. While no attempt has been made to lay out any geographical shape of New Zealand, but still, most of the more famous sights and landmarks have been included.  



                                   
Kerikeri, Mission Station and Waitangi / Bay of Islands.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   Carter Fountain and Band Rotunda / Oriental Bay Wellington.


                                    
     The Octagon / Dunedin.                                                                  Princess Wharf / Auckland.


                                    
Beehive and Government Buildings Historic Reserve / Lambton Quay Wellington.
Sky Tower and Auckland Ferry Terminal / Auckland. 

                                    
One Tree Hill / Auckland.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                            Mount Ruapehu / Tongariro National Park.

                                    
Hot Air Balloons and Fairfield Bridge / Hamilton.                                                                                                       
                                                                                        Cathedral Square and Bridge of Rememberance / Christchurch.

                                    
Horse Racing.                                                                                       Rural Township.

                                    
Heliskiing on Mount Aoraki (Mount Cook).                                                                 Rural Farm.                        

                                   
Huka Falls / Lake Taupo.
Champagne Pool / Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Area / Waikato.

                                    
Rural Rugby Match / Small Rural Town.
TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu / The Remarkables Queenstown.

                                    
Coronet Peak Skifield and Golf Course / Central Otago.
Bungy Jumping from the Kawarau River Bridge / Central Otago.

                                   
Camping Ground and Moeraki Boulders / Koekohe Beach Otago.
Titahi Bay Boat Sheds / Porirua.

                                   
            Hawkes Bay Vineyard.                                                            Sheep Station and Wind Blown Trees.

Nugget Point Lighthouse and Humpback Whale / Otago. 

Technical information. 

          Date of Issue:
6 October, 2010.
          Number of stamps:
25 gummed stamps.
          Denominations:
60c x 25.
          Designed by:
Assignment Group, Wellington, New Zealand.
          Printer:
Southern Colour Print Ltd.
          Process:
Offset lithography.
          Number of colours:
Four process colours.
          Stamp size and format:          
35mm x 40.6mm (vertical).
          Paper type:
Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper.
          Stamps per sheet:
25.
          Perforation gauge:
14.
          Period of sale:
6 October, 2010 until 5 October, 2012.

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/