1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Five

 Definitive Tour.

Back to 1960 - 1966 Pictorial Definitives.                                Forward to 1970 Decimal Pictorials.

        1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part One.

                    An overview of this definitive issue with First Day Covers.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.

                    Various extra issues that appeared over the next two years.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.

                    The information on the designs/subjects of each stamp in more detail.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.

                    Flaws and errors in the lower values.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Five.

                    Flaws and errors in the higher values.

         This is the second page of flaws found in the Decimal Pictorials. Again we see a variety of errors from colour and perferation shifts to paper creasing and large strange blobs of ink. I personally like the example you see below of a major green shift in the 15c Tiki.

1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.

 Definitive Tour.

Back to 1960 - 1966 Pictorial Definitives.                                Forward to 1970 Decimal Pictorials.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part One.
                    An overview of this definitive issue with First Day Covers.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.
                    Various extra issues that appeared over the next two years.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.
                    The information on the designs/subjects of each stamp in more detail.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors in the lower values.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Five.
                    Flaws and errors in the higher values.

      Now we get to some of the errors found in this definitive issue. In this post we will be looking at the low values, the native flower stamps. While we have a good collection here I do believe there are many flaws from these values that we have missed. Therefore I suggest that it might be worth check back on this page from time to time to view any new items.

½c - Manuka.

1967 Pictorial ½c selv pair and a selvage block both with the same grossly misplaced perforations.

1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.

 Definitive Tour.

Back to 1960 - 1966 Pictorial Definitives.                                Forward to 1970 Decimal Pictorials.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part One.
                    An overview of this definitive issue with First Day Covers.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.
                    Various extra issues that appeared over the next two years.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.
                    The information on the designs/subjects of each stamp in more detail.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors in the lower values.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Five.
                    Flaws and errors in the higher values.

1960 - 1967 Designs in Detail.

This third part will show each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value rather than as in Parts One & Two by their issue date. Our purpose here is to consider the design and subject of each stamp. (Since most of these designs are common with the 1960 Pictorials my design notes are the same as well).

1967 Decimal Pictorials.

                

½c - Manuka.                                         1c - Karaka.

1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.

 Definitive Tour.

Back to 1960 - 1966 Pictorial Definitives.                                Forward to 1970 Decimal Pictorials.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part One.

                    An overview of this definitive issue with First Day Covers.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.

                    Various extra issues that appeared over the next two years.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.

                    The information on the designs/subjects of each stamp in more detail.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.

                    Flaws and errors in the lower values.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Five.

                    Flaws and errors in the higher values.

1967 - 1968 New Values & Exports.

 A number of changes and new values were added to the 1967 Decimal Pictorials after the initial 18 stamps were issued and before the stamps were replaced by the 1970 Definitives / Pictorials. For convenience we have grouped them together here on one page in the order in which they were issued. Each issue included a First Day Cover which is also featured on this page.

7½ - Fishing - Trout.

1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part One.

 Definitive Tour.

Back to 1960 - 1966 Pictorial Definitives.                                Forward to 1970 Decimal Pictorials.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part One.
                    An overview of this definitive issue with First Day Covers.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.
                    Various extra issues that appeared over the next two years.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.
                    The information on the designs/subjects of each stamp in more detail.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors in the lower values.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Five.
                    Flaws and errors in the higher values.

Introduction to the 1967 - 1968 Pictorials.

         The planning of the 1967 definitive set commenced as early as July 1964 but it was not until January 1966 that preliminary notice was given by the New Zealand Post Office that decimal currency stamps would be put on sale on 10 July 
1967, the day when New Zealand would begin the conversion to decimal currency. It was decided that as there was insufficient time to have a new set of pictorial stamps designed and printed, the design and colours of the existing 1960 Pictorial issue would be retained.

         All the sterling currency stamps were withdrawn from Post Offices at the close of business on the last working day prior to Decimal Currency Day. Sterling currency stamps could, however, continue to be used for postage purposes until demonetised on 1 August 1971 or exchanged for decimal currency stamps of equivalent value up until 31 July 1972. On the morning of the 10th July, 1967 the new decimal stamps went on sale. 
         New Zealand decimalised on 10 July 1967, with the New Zealand dollar replacing the New Zealand pound. The conversion rates were the same as Australia's—10c to one shilling, one dollar to 10 shillings, and two dollars to one pound. Confusion was expected with twelve pence becoming ten cents, such as people expecting four cents' change from paying ten cents/one shilling for an item costing eight cents. To help avoid this, the Decimal Currency Board recommended on inter-currency transactions (e.g., paying 4c with £sd coins, or paying 4d with dollar coins) to pay to the next highest five cents or sixpence to get the correct change.

                                                                        Approximant Conversion Chart.
                                       1d     2d     3d     4d     5d     6d     7d     8d     9d     10d     11d     12d. (1 shilling) 
                                       1c     2c      3c         4c         5c      6c     7c            8c           9c      10c.

1968 Centenary Maori Bible.

In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first printing of the

Bible in the Maori language, this special stamp was produced.

3c - Bible at Rangiatea Maori Church, Otaki.

This stamp depicts Bishop Hadfield's personal bible, opened at the book of Deuteronomy and resting on a carved kauri lectern in the Rangiatea Maori Church at Otaki.  The green satin sashes depicted on the stamp are hand embroidered in a pink fuchsia design which in Maori interpretation signifies "opportunity".  The border on the sashes is the hammerhead shark scroll design signifying "prestige". 

The design is from a photograph, adapted by the Public Relations Division, G.P.O., Wellington. 

1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Five.

Definitive Tour.
Back to Elizabeth II Definitives.                                          Forward to 1967 Decimal Pictorials.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part One.

                    A summary and overview of this issue with the stamps arranged issued order.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Two.
                    This second part shows each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Three.                   

                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - low values.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - high values.

          1960 -1966 Pictorials Part Five.

                    Postal history items.

Other Items Related to the 1960 Pictorials.

By 'other items' I mean items related to the 1960 Pictorials but not included on the first four pages. You could call this the Postal History Page of the 1960 Pictorials. This will be an on going page with more being added as it comes to hand. It is very likely that these items will have been used in other posts, if so a link will be provided here.

1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Four.

 Definitive Tour.

Back to Elizabeth II Definitives.                                       Forward to 1967 Decimal Pictorials.     

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part One.

                    A summary and overview of this issue with the stamps arranged issued order.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Two.
                    This second part shows each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Three.                   

                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - low values.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - high values.

          1960 -1966 Pictorials Part Five.

                    Postal history items.

Flaws and Errors of the 1960 Definitives - High Values.

         Flaws and errors were very common in this issue and in our drop box library we have around 114 images. Some are double ups and others very poor quality so I'm unsure how many will eventually make it into the blog.

          Images of errors and flaws come from a variety of sources, often of different resolutions, so image size becomes a problem. Colour quality and accuracy is also a problem from some image sources too. We also tended to enlarge these stamps for greater clarity and detail of the errors. This often makes for an untidy looking page but we hope this will be overlooked in the interest of viewing some amazing stamps.

         This post will only show errors/flaws in the High values, 9d - New Zealand Flag up to the £1 - Pohutu Geyser. The lower values are on a separate post. 

1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Three

Definitive Tour.

Back to Elizabeth II Definitives.                                          Forward to 1967 Decimal Pictorials.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part One.

                    A summary and overview of this issue with the stamps arranged issued order.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Two.
                    This second part shows each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Three.                   

                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - low values.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - high values.

          1960 -1966 Pictorials Part Five.

                    Postal history items.

Flaws and Errors of the 1960 Definitives - Low Values.

          Flaws and errors were very common in this issue and in our drop box library we have around 114 images. Some are double ups and others very poor quality so I'm unsure how many will eventually make it into the blog.

          Images of errors and flaws come from a variety of sources, often of different resolutions, so image size becomes a problem. Colour quality and accuracy is also a problem from some image sources too. We also tended to enlarge these stamps for greater clarity and detail of the errors. This often makes for an untidy looking page but we hope this will be overlooked in the interest of viewing some amazing stamps.

         This post will only show errors/flaws in the lower values, native flowers from ½d - Manuka up to the higher 8d - Rata. Errors/flaws for the larger values are on a separate post. 

1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Two

Definitive Tour.
Back to Elizabeth II Definitives.                                          Forward to 1967 Decimal Pictorials.

1960 - 1967 Designs in Detail.

This second part will show each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value rather than as in Part One by their issue date. Our purpose here is to consider the design and subject of each stamp.

              1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part One.

                    A summary and overview of this issue with the stamps arranged issued order.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Two.
                    This second part shows each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Three.                   

                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - low values.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - high values.

          1960 -1966 Pictorials Part Five.

                    Postal history items.

Lower Values.
These stamps are more often than not arranged by their value. First comes the Low Values, the little ones in value and size, each displaying a native flower. They begin with the humble ½d going up to the 8d. Why wasn't the 9d included as one too? Back in the world of Sterling Currency 1/- (1 shilling) was equal to 12 pence. Stamps over 8d were not normally issued as mail charges of 10d or 11d could be made up using lesser values. 

                 

1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part One.

Definitive Tour.
Back to Elizabeth II Definitives.                                          Forward to 1967 Decimal Pictorials.

Overview of the 1st Series (Sterling).
This is the first of a series of posts on the large definitive issues of the 1960s.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part One.

                    A summary and overview of this issue with the stamps arranged issued order.

          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Two.
                    This second part shows each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Three.                   

                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - low values.
          1960 - 1966 Pictorials Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors of the 1960 definitive - high values.

          1960 -1966 Pictorials Part Five.

                    Postal history items.

 

After the Queen Elizabeth II definitives of the 1950s by 1958 New Zealand was looking for a new definitive issue. In November 1958 the Postmaster-General announced that a new set of pictorial stamps would be issued progressively from July 1960.

A public competition was held to obtain designs and 1,072 entries were received from 268 competitors.  

The first stamps of this new definitive issue appeared in July, 1960. Two months later, on the 2nd September, another six values were added. Over the next few years, changes in postal rates would lead to another three values being added and two values were reissued with more colourful designs. Finally on the 10th July 1967, the entire issue would be replaced with decimal stamps using the old designs with new decimal values. 

1988 Rafter Paintings - Kowhaiwhai

 For an index to all our posts on The Maori People.

        Kowhaiwhai is an art form of the New Zealand Maori, found on the interior rafters of tribal meeting houses.  The rafters are seen as the ribs of the ancestor, whom the house personifies.  All the carving, weaving and artwork embellishing a meeting house relate the legends, history and beliefs of the tribe.

         Three colours dominated traditional designs - red ochre from crushed stone, black from soot, and white-blue grey from clay.  These pigments were mixed with shark oil to produce the paint.  Simple fibre brushes were used.  The Maori people believe their designs symbolise strength, new life, growth in knowledge and the breath of life.
         For a more contemporary view of Kowhaiwhai view our post 2015 Matariki - Kowhaiwhai.

         Four variations of traditional patterns were designed specially for this set of stamps.

2015 Matariki - Kowhaiwhai

         Typically featured in the whare whakairo (decorated meeting house) on the heke (rafters), kōwhaiwhai is an art form that is distinctively Māori, and unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. Issued to coincide with the dawn of Māori New Year, the Matariki 2015 stamp issue celebrates this ancient art form in a more contemporary setting.
        In this post I have shown the full set below so you an get an over-view of the designs. Further down we will feature each of the six stamps with more detailed notes on each artist. (Current images will be replaced when better ones become available.) Next there is an area of other items of interest, including the usual Miniature Sheet and First Day Covers. At the bottom just above the Technical Information is a 1988 issue that also featured Kowhaiwhai. 

See our Matariki Collection.                       See our Index - New Zealand Maori.

1955 Stamp Centenary

      This set has already been shown on this blog, in our post - 2005 - 150 Years of New Zealand Stamps, but considering the importance of this issue to the history of New Zealand Stamps, we felt it deserved its own page. I believe the clever way these three stamps were designed is often overlooked by collectors in their search for more attractive and exciting stamps. I hope this page below might go some way to correcting this.

         This 1955 issue featured the three values shown above. While appearing to be simple designs, I will show you below that some thought has gone into them, cleverly linking the stamps and postal system of 1855, with the stamps and postal system of 1955.  
        Designs of three of the most famous designers of New Zealand stamps were selected. R M Conly's design depicting a Maori Mail Runner was used for the 2d stamp, J Berry's design depicting Queen Elizabeth II in a style similar to that of the first New Zealand stamps was selected for the 3d stamp and A G Mitchell's design depicting an aircraft in flight appeared on the 4d stamp. Three famous designers, another claim to fame for this often under-rated stamp issue.

1935 Pictorials

Definitive Tour.

Back to George V Definitives.                               Forward to George VI Definitives.

The 1935 Pictorial Issue.

         By 1931 several of the plates for the King George V definitive stamps were noticeably worn. Given that the design of the 1926 Admirals issue had been severely criticised, the authorities decided to try the same approach which had worked so well in 1898 - a design competition for a new set of pictorial stamps.

         Entries were divided into New Zealand subject groups: fauna, scenery, Maori art, agricultural, history and sport, then examples were chosen for the stamps being issued. Over 1,500 entries were received and designs from eleven contributors were included in the final set. Some unsuccessful entries can be seen at the bottom of this post.

         The stamps suffered a series of delays though - printing by photogravure was abandoned in favour of line etching with the exception of the ninepenny stamp which was the first New Zealand stamp printed by offset lithography. There were also issues with paper quality and the shilling stamp design was changed again just before issue. Finally, in 1935 the set was ready to be issued.

1990 Heritage Set 6 - The Maori People.

Back to Set 5 - The Achievers.          Heritage Series Overview.

        This issue is the final in the six part series leading up to the 1990 150th Anniversary of New Zealand. The six stamps each depict a different aspect of Maori culture shown through story-telling, craft-work, and song or dance.
        Many hundreds of years ago, ancestors of the Maori are believed to have sailed from the west - to settle in the Pacific Islands of Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.  A few hundred years later, their descendants settled the Marquesas and Cook Islands - what is now known as Hawaiki, or the homeland of the New Zealand Maori.  It was from here, around 800AD, that the first canoes ventured south to Aotearoa (New Zealand).
        As well as introducing the dog, the rat and edible plants to this land, these settlers also brought with them their Polynesian cultural heritage - which has developed over time to become the Maori culture as we know it today.

For an index on stamps relating to Maori see New Zealand Maori.

2014 Matariki - Papatūānuku and Ranginui.



The Rising of Matariki.        

        For the Māori people, the night skies in June traditionally has huge significance as the dawn of a new Māori year. The annual appearance of the seven stars of ‘Matariki’, also known as the star cluster 'The Pleiades' in the constellation Tauris, or by its common name 'the seven sisters', signals a time for renewal, reflection and celebration! This celebration is something unique to New Zealand.

        Each year New Zealand Post  issues a set of postage stamps to mark this event. These stamps always feature some aspect of Maori culture. The 2014 Matariki issue was about the well known story of Papatūānuku and Ranginui. The set of six stamps show how six famous artists used this story to inspire their art.

See our Matariki Collection.                      See our Index - New Zealand Maori.

2010 Shanghai World Expo.

        This must be one of the more unique issues New Zealand has ever done. They are almost like two stamps from two different countries which have somehow found themselves joined, grafted together, making one stamp.

        These stamps were issued to coincide with the opening of ‘Expo 2010 Shanghai China’. The theme of the Expo was ‘Better City, Better Life’ and New Zealand's pavilion follows this with the theme ‘Cities of Nature, Living between Land and Sky’.
        The issue draws on five parallels between New Zealand and Chinese culture and geography, and features illustrations inspired by some of the items in the New Zealand Pavilion. The stamps are double length and designed to be folded over the edge of special first day covers with two fronts and no back. See this cover further down.

2008 The A to Z of New Zealand.

        After looking at Full Faced Queens (last post) what about a bit of a fun issue, a feel-good set if you like. It is an A to Z of New Zealand culture, history, heritage and downright Kiwiana. Each letter of the alphabet is used to present a different subject of New Zealand.
        Personally, I was not too impressed with many of these designs but what captured my interest was the idea of doing an issue of 26 stamps on Kiwiana like this. First I show the set as issued in a single sheet then below that, each stamp will be depicted along with a short description of its subject.
        There are some other sets like this so I might do a post of some of them too.

Heitiki

For an index to all our posts on The Maori People.



         Following on with the Matariki theme I decided to do a post on the heitiki, an ornamental pendant of the Māori people of New Zealand which is worn around the neck. 

See our Matariki Collection.                       See our Index - New Zealand Maori.

1935 Pictorials.

Wahine (young Maori girl) - 3d
The 1935 Pictorial Issue featured a young Maori girl on the 3d value. What is of interest to us is what she is wearing. The head-band is made of plaited flax, dyed red and black. The feather is that of the huia, a native bird now known to be extinct. Held by a flax cord fastened around her neck is the Maori amulet known as a "tiki". Today it is more commonly known by the correct name of "Heitiki." This is not particularly a good view since she is side on but its been included here as the first example found on a New Zealand Postage Stamp.

View our post 1935 Pictorial Issue.