2001 Lord of the Rings I

The Fellowship of the Ring.

See my complete collection of Lord of the Ring / The Hobbit stamps.

For a collection of all the miniature sheets released with this issue,

view our post: - 2016 A Journey Through Middle-earth.

         When New Zealand producer Peter Jackson took on making a movie of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings many in the film industry were amazed. It had always been considered that a film of this story would be impossible to make. What Peter Jackson proposed to do was to create three movies, one of each book of the trilogy, all filmed at the same time, then made into movies over three years. Truly a massive and impossible task but it was done. Making full use of camera tricks, special effects and advanced computer animation, the series of three movies began to come together. Finally, at the end of 2001 the first movie, The Fellowship of the Ring was ready for release.   

        Before watching the movie, I decided to read the book again. I had read the Lord of the Rings once before but now knowing a movie was about to be released I took a new interest in the story. When I got to the theatre and the movie began I had the story in my mind and was watching to see how Jackson followed it. To tell you the truth I was amazed, he told the story so well. Yes sure, changes were made, one of my favourite parts was completely removed, but the Lord of the Rings story was there.
       On the 4th December 2001 New Zealand Post, realizing the importance of this movie to New Zealand Film Industry, issued this set of six stamps.  In doing a post on these six stamps it will be impossible to tell the story of the movie so I will just make comments about the events and actors who appear in each featured scene. I strongly recommend that you see these movies if you haven't already.  

Gandalf and Saruman - 40c

          Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen) informs Saruman the White (Christopher Lee) that the unthinkable has happened; The ring of power, Sauron's ring has been found. Both wizards realise that the world has indeed changed but they react to the news in totally different ways. Saruman turns to evil to follow Sauron while Gandalf turns to the good side and tries to keep the ring from Sauron. That fight between then was an impressive scene, wizards fighting wow!

        The including of these two great actors show how Jackson was determined to get the best he could for these movies. Sir Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee, both famous British actors, have a long list of movies and shows between them. They added so much to the movie in their roles and in providing support for many of the younger actors, who for some Lord of the Rings was their first major movie. 

                       

Galadriel - 80c

         Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), the mysterious Lady of the Wood. Powerful and, in her own way, perilous - none who encounter her remained unchanged. When Frodo arrives in the Forest of Lothlórien seeking advice and assistance Galadriel and her husband Lord Celeborn (Marton Csokas) offer their help. Each of the Fellowship receives a special gift from Galadriel to help them on their journey and inner struggles. 

        Tolkien describes Galadriel as "the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth" and the "greatest of elven women".  At the end of the Third Age of Middle-earth, she was co-ruler of Lothlórien with her husband, Lord Celeborn, and was referred to variously as the Lady of Lórien, the Lady of the Galadhrim, the Lady of Light, or the Lady of the Golden Wood. Her daughter Celebrían was the wife of Elrond and mother of Arwen.

Sam and Frodo - 90c

         Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) accompanied by his friend Sam Gamgee (Sean Austin) wait nervously at the Inn of the Prancing Pony for the arrival of the wizard Gandalf the Grey. Of course, Gandalf has been imprisoned by the wizard Saruman and never arrives.

         These two actors had a difficult task as for almost the entire second two movies they were together with no supporting cast other than the creature Gollum. I like the way this first movie, Fellowship of the Ring, develops the bond between Frodo and Sam. Remember the scene in the cornfield where Sam stops and says this is the furthest he has ever been from home. Frodo steps back and helps Sam take that next step. The bond between them will get them through the trials they must face together once they are parted from the fellowship at the end of the first movie.

The Guardian of Rivendell - $1.30

          Frodo (Elijah Wood) is brought back from the brink of death at Rivendell. The Rivendell sets build both in a studio in Wellington and a forest area of Kaitoke Regional Park must be one of the features of this first movie. The detail of the buildings and statues made Rivendell stand out as a place of great beauty, the sort of place you would expect a race like the elves to build. The picture on the miniature sheet above shows Frodo still in bed at Rivendell the House of Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving). Behind him can be seen the Guardian Statue which appears on the single stamp.

 

Strider - $1.50

           Sensing the stranger's eyes upon him, Frodo learns from the Innkeeper only that the man goes by the name of Strider (Viggo Mortensen). Strider contacts them later, helps protect the hobbits from an attack by the nine Nazgul, servants of Sauron and then guides them towards Rivendell. It is only there that we learn his true name is, in fact, Aragorn, the one true heir to the throne of Gondor.  Aragorn becomes one of the Fellowship of the Ring, a group charged with taking the ring to Mount Doom to be destroyed.

 Boromir - $2.00

         This scene from the final scenes of the 1st movie The Fellowship of the Ring shows Boromir of Gondor (Sean Bean) calling for aid, blowing the ancient horn of his people.

         Boromir struggles with the idea of destroying the ring. He sees it as a gift, the weapon his people can use to overcome Sauron and rid his country of the endless war they have fought against the evil land of Mordor. Things finally come to a head when he tries to take the ring just as the fellowship are attacked. He realises his mistake and fights hard to protect the two young hobbits, Merry and Pippin, but when he is killed the hobbits are captured and taken anyway. It's a pity he was written out of the story as I liked Boromir and he was played by Sean Bean, a good actor. (I notice Sean Bean got written out of The Game of Thrones quickly too.

Northpex National Stamp Exhibition.

Issued 5 April 2002.  

        As part of its 25th Anniversary, the North Shore Philatelic Society a National Stamp Exhibition was held to mark the occasion. To mark the event a special miniature sheet, featuring stamps from The Lord of The Rings - The Fellowship of The Ring stamp issue was produced. The sheet is also available affixed to a Northpex Exhibition cover.

Amphilex 2002 Stamp Exhibition.
 

30 August 2002
            Amphilex 2002, was a major stamp exhibition held in Amsterdam from 30 August to 3 September, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the introduction of the first postage stamps in the Netherlands.New Zealand Post commemorated this milestone with a special miniature sheet and souvenir exhibition cover. The miniature sheet incorporated two stamps from 'The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring' stamp issue.

Technical information

Date of issue:	4 December 2001
Number of stamp:	Six
Denominations and designs:	40c Gandalf and Saruman, 80c The Lady Galadriel, 90c Sam and Frodo, $1.30 The Guardian of Rivendell, $1.50 Strider, $2.00 Boromir, son of Denethor
First day covers and self-adhesive booklet designed by:	Sacha Lees, Weta Workshop, Wellington
Printer and process:	Stamps and self-adhesive booklet: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin by offset lithography
Number of colours:	Four process colours
Stamp size and format:	Gummed: 25mm x 50mm (vertical and horizontal); Self-adhesive: 26mm x 37mm (vertical and horizontal)
Number of stamps per sheet:	25
Number of stamps per sheetlet:	10 x 40c
Number of stamps per booklet:	4 x 40c, 2 x 90c, 80c, $1.30, $1.50 and $2.00
Paper type:	Gummed: De La Rue 103gsm red phosphor stamp paper; Self-adhesive: JAC Non DC PSI B1000 PSA stamp paper
Perforation gauge:	14.25 x 14
Special blocks:	Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least two stamps from a sheet. Barcode, value blocks and logo blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least two stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B formats for sheet stamps.
Period of sale:	These stamps remained on sale until 3 December 2002.

Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ

You can visit their website and On-line Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/