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Counterpart, Denoting, Fine Paid, Mortgagee's Indemnity and Not Liable stamps

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New Zealand fiscal and postage stamps were overprinted for various revenue purposes. Some are given below. Counterpart Counterpart stamps were attached to duplicate (i.e. counterpart) documents provided that the full stamp duty had been paid on the original. The counterpart fee was 2s 6d. The first issue was in 1870 and the design was Die I of the 1867 Revenue issue. The stamp on the left is Die II and was issued in 1880. In 1887, stamps were issued in the design of the revenue stamps of 1880, but with the word Counterpart in rather small letters above the value as in the example on the below. In 1916 the fee was increased to 3s 0d and ordinary revenue stamps were overprinted diagonally in black although special printings were made as the colour was always yellow. It exists both perf 14 and perf 14½x14. In 1927, the George V 3s 0d Admiral stamp was printed on Cowan paper, perf 14, in orange yellow and overprin...
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1963 Crash Cover.

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        Here is something a bit different.

        On 3 July 1963, a NAC Douglas DC-3 crashed into the Kaimai Ranges in New Zealand's North Island while flying in clouds and turbulence. The aircraft was flying from Whenuapai Airport, in Auckland, to Tauranga.

       The crash happened when the aircraft struck a vertical rock face after encountering a strong downdraft. The aircraft may also have commenced an early descent with the pilots unaware of the true position of the aircraft, on the wrong side of the ranges. All 23 people on board were killed. The wreckage remains on the hillside to this day, with a small memorial cairn beside it.

The NAC DC 3 at it was in 1963, partly covered by trees. You can see how damaged it is. Today the aircraft is totally covered by trees and impossible to see from the air.
       

Cover from the wreck of  NAC DC3 ZK-AYZ "City of Hastings."

        During recovery of the bodies and personal items, reportedly 168 pieces of mail were salvaged, but only a few of them were ever seen again. Above we can see one of these letters, damaged and partly burnt. What I like about this cover is the clear post mark showing 2nd July, 1963 and the three 1d stamps from the 1960 definitive series. It is a really interesting Postal History item.

Certificate confirming it came from the crash.

          When the letter was finally delivered it was accompanied by this certificate from the postmaster explaining why the letter was in such a damaged state. It reads - "The enclosed letter has been recovered from the plane which crashed on the Kaimai Range on 3rd July. I am sorry for the damaged condition." 
Of course today the certificate supports and proves the claim that this letter did in fact survived the plane crash and eventually reached the person it was addressed to mid July. I think that is still fairly quick considering what this poor little letter has been through. 

Comments

  1. Ayaka16 July 2014 at 06:15

    This is an interesting cover Allan / Mary.
    I like the way you have added proof that it is real.
    Ayaka

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22 July 2014 at 10:47

      This post brings back memories for me. I was living in Tauranga at the time and had to attend a conference in Auckland. Since we were very busy the company flew me up instead of driving. After the conference I was due to fly on that flight but things held me up and I booked a later flight. In the end I actually went home on the train. I will never forget how fate played its hand for me that day.

      Delete
    2. Unknown22 July 2014 at 21:35

      Thank you for that story you shared with us. To have been on the flight and then missed it. What did you think when you heard the plane had gone down? You must feel very lucky. There are some from those Malaysia Airlines flights that are feeling the same today too.
      You must be a bit older than I to have been working then.
      Mary

      Delete
    3. Anonymous23 July 2014 at 19:24

      Thank you Mary
      Feelings? As I remember they were mixed. Some feelings of relief and jubilation that I had missed that flight. At other times feelings guilt and sorrow too. But in the end it was really beyond my control. Fate dealt its hand to me that day and I was saved and others were lost. I suppose with something like this its those left behind we should feel sorry for.
      I am eighty-two, Mary.
      Laurie.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous24 July 2014 at 05:29

      Laurie
      I can understand the feelings of relief and jubilation but feels of guilt? It wasn't your fault your trip was delayed. You didn't decide, "This flight is not going to make it. I'll go on the next one." So why feel guilty?
      John.

      Delete
    5. Unknown24 July 2014 at 20:10

      Wow two comments today!
      Hello Laurie Hello John.
      I am interested in your reaction to the crash and you lucky escape. I agree with John in that one would be expected to feel relief, joy and even celebrate at your lucky escape, but guilt is harder to understand. Twice now you have mentioned fate, therefore you obviously realise the situation was beyond your control. Would what you describe as guilt, be more out of sympathy and sorrow for those killed and their loved ones?
      Mary

      Delete
  2. Anonymous27 August 2018 at 08:06

    I have been reading this blog for a long time, almost from when I first arrived in New Zealand. For some unknown reason I have completely missed this page.

    What an amazing story that this poor little letter survived the crash and actually was delivered. I also like what that man said about missing being on that flight. We react in unusual ways to an experience like his. While guilt is hard for others to understand, it was real for him.

    You must keep this page safe as there are three important historical aspects. First the cover itself, second the letter explaining it, third the story of the man Laurie who 'fate' saved that day.
    Nina.

    ReplyDelete

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