See our collection - Rugby on New Zealand Stamps.
Every four years The British & Irish Lions tour the Southern Hemisphere, and in 2017 it’s New Zealand’s turn to host and compete in a series that captivates a nation. The series will begin in Whangarei on 3 June, and over the course of six weeks, ten matches will be played in seven different cities against eight different New Zealand teams.
The British & Irish Lions rugby Tour was first dreamt up by a couple of English cricketers by the names of Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury. The first Tour had the team playing 19 games of Aussie rules football, but the concept soon developed and the first officially sanctioned Tour to the Southern Hemisphere was organised in 1891. It wasn’t until 1899 that a Lions team was made up of players representing the four home nations of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland - a tradition that continues today.
The British & Irish Lions - First Day Cover.
The Stamps.
$2.70 - Whangarei - 3 June 2017.
Okara Park, Whangarei.
Result: - 7-13 to the Lions.
$2.70 - Auckland - 7 June 2017.
Eden Park, Auckland.
The Blues vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 22-16 to the Blues.
24 June 2017.
Eden Park, Auckland.
First Test.
New Zealand All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 30-15 to the All Blacks.
8 July 2017.
Third Test.
Eden Park, Auckland.
New Zealand All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 15-15 draw.
$2.70 - Hamilton - 20 June 2017.
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
The Chiefs vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 34-6 to the Lions.
$2.70 - Rotorua - 17 June 2017.
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua.
Maori All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 10-32 to the Lions.
$2.70 - Wellington - 27 June 2017.
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington.
The Hurricanes vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 31-31 draw.
1st July 2017.
Second Test.
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington.
New Zealand All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 24-21 to the Lions.
$2.70 - Christchurch - 10 June 2017.
Rugby League Park, Christchurch.
The Crusaders vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 3-12 to the Lions.
$2.70 - Dunedin - 13 June 2017.
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
The Highlanders vs British and Irish Lions.
Result: - 23-22 to the Highlanders.
The British & Irish Lions - Miniature Sheet.
The stamps are presented on a sheet that follows The British & Irish Lions as they tour the country. Each stamp shows a region of New Zealand where the Lions will face off against a New Zealand team, with their fans supporting them at every game. The colours of each region have been incorporated into the stamps, as has detailing representing each location. For example, Dunedin has a tartan, which is representative of its highland ancestry, Auckland’s Sky Tower rises above hibiscus flowers and Rotorua’s famous hot pools are represented by curling grey koru.The green map of New Zealand uses intricate detailing to depict New Zealand’s rugby history and culture, such as a rugby ball representing the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North and a rugby player in the Nelson region representing the first rugby game in New Zealand, which took place at the Botanics in 1870.
To the left of the map, a stylised player from the New Zealand and The British & Irish Lions teams are depicted coming together in a hongi. The hongi is a sacred Māori physical embrace where two people become one by pressing noses and foreheads together.
This issue was not well received by the two main stamp collectors/writers of this blog. Allan said, "Well, they are bright!" Mary said, "With a history of great rugby stamps. What happened here?"
The September Campbell Paterson Newsletter said: -
Oh dear, oh dear, what were they thinking? I am sorry to say, in my opinion, this is an awful sheetlet of stamps, accompanied by an atrocious FDC. The cartoon style sheetlet contains seven $2.70 stamps but you have to look hard to make them out as they seem to blend into the NZ map background, especially the four upper North Island stamps. The FDC is a lurid red and the least said about that the better. I would suggest that very, VERY few of these $2.70 stamps were postally used on letters 'home'. One to forget.
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 3 May 2017 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Seven gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | $2.70 |
| Stamps designed by: | Dave Burke, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours plus high gloss Litho varnish |
| Stamp size and format: | 35.71mm x 25mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104 gsm gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 7 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14.4 x 14.62 |
| Period of sale: | Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 3 May 2018. First day covers will remain on sale until 2 July 2017. |
Information & images for this post came from.
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI have read those more negative comments about this issue but it must be admitted you showed them off well here. Taking each stamp and telling us the game and the results becomes a good summary of the tour.
Jeff.