Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's many visits to New Zealand have seen her become closely involved with all aspects of New Zealand life over a reign of over 50 years.
Se-tenant Strip of one 40c, one 80c, one 90c, one $1.30, one $1.50 and one $2 stamp.
Five Decades of a Queen and Country
Five Decades of a Queen and Country
In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was the first monarch to visit New Zealand and the first to adopt the title of Queen of New Zealand. Through five decades of significant social and political change, she has worked diligently to be involved in all aspects of New Zealand life, both official and informal.
Her Majesty has opened sessions of the New Zealand Parliament, the first Sovereign to do so. She has attended concerts and command performances, sports events, visited schools and factories and won admiration for her informal 'walk-abouts'. She has shared with us events from the bi-centennial of Captain Cook's landfall to the opening of the Beehive (Parliament Building) and the 150th Anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi.
New Zealand has changed considerably since Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, in 1952. So too, has her relationship with us. From the young Queen arriving for the opening of Parliament on 12 January 1954, wearing her Coronation gown for the first time since the ceremony at Westminister Abbey, to the latest official portrait. This special Queen Elizabeth II stamp issue captured the dignity and humanity she has displayed throughout the changing years.
The Six Stamps.
40c - Royal Visit 1953. (the 1950s)
The 40c Royal Visit 1953 stamp showed the young Queen arriving for the State Opening of Parliament.
80c - Royal Visit 1970. (the 1960s)
This 80c Royal Visit 1970 stamp captured the spirit of the 'walk-abouts' that brought the Queen close to her people.
90c - Royal Visit 1977. (the 1970s)
The 90c Royal Visit 1977 stamps showed the Queen was once again among the people on her Silver Jubilee visit.
$1.30 - Royal Visit 1986. (the 1980s)
The $1.30 Royal Visit 1986 stamp design was also used on the special commemorative coin.
$1.50 - Royal Visit 1990. (the1990s)
The $1.50 Royal Visit 1990 stamp celebrated her visit to the Commonwealth Games in Auckland.
$2.00 - Official Portrait for New Zealand. (the 2000s)
The Official Portrait for New Zealand, taken at Buckingham Palace was displayed on the $2.00 stamp.
Other Collectable Items.
First Day Cover - 3 October 2001.
First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue.
Home-made cover - 11 November 2001.
Limited edition collectable containing exclusive stamp products not available anywhere else.
Limited Edition First Day Cover - 3 October 2001.
Signed by Ann Adams, designer of this issue.
Technical Information.
Date of issue: 3 October 2001.
The number of stamps: Six.
Denominations and designs: Gummed - 40c 1953; 80c 1970; 90c 1977; $1.30 1986; $1.50 1990; $2.00 Official New Zealand Portrait. A six stamp strip was also available at a cost of $6.90.
Stamps and first-day cover designed: Ann Adams, Wellington, New Zealand.
The number of colours: Four process colours plus metallic and image overgloss.
First-day cover size: 120mm x 205mm.
Stamp size and format: 30mm x 40mm (vertical).
Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand; offset.
The number of stamps per sheet: 25.
Perforation gauge: 13.85 x 13.75 and Die-cut.
Paper type: De La Rue 103gsm red phosphor coated.
Period of sale: These stamps remained on sale until 2 October 2002.
Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their website and Online Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/
Information & images for this post came from.