Stained-glass windows date back to ancient times, with some existing in Britain possibly as early as the 7th century. The movement gained popularity in the Middle Ages as a way to convey narratives from the Bible to the masses, and has evolved over time to incorporate more colour and detail.New Zealand is home to some truly beautiful stained-glass windows, which add character and charm to churches and buildings throughout the country.
The Christmas 2015 stamp issue features five vibrant stained-glass windows, ranging in design from the traditional to the contemporary. Three of these designs were repeated in a adhesive format of booklets and dispensers.
The Gummed Stamps.
There were five gummed stamps included in this issued. They came is sheets of 25 and ranged in value from 80c up to $3.00.
80c - Angel. $1.40 - Dove.
80c - Angel.
This stained-glass depiction of an angel is part of the Kelvin and Janice Loveday commemorative window in St Mark’s Church, Carterton. Angels play an important role in the nativity story, with the Angel Gabriel telling Mary that she would give birth to Jesus and an angel bringing the news of Jesus’s birth to the shepherds.
$1.40 - Dove.
The dove is recognised as a symbol of peace as well as one of the forms of the Holy Spirit. Doves are often seen as a decoration on New Zealand Christmas trees. The dove depicted on this stamp is part of a larger stained-glass window at St Aidan’s Anglican Church, Remuera, Auckland.
$2.00 - Mary and Jesus. $2.50 - Pōhutukawa.
$2.00 - Mary and Jesus.
This vibrant stained-glass window sits inside St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland and depicts Mary with the baby Jesus. According to the nativity story Mary and Joseph were unable to find a room at the inn, and took shelter in a stable in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.
$2.50 - Pōhutukawa.
Often referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree, the native pōhutukawa is symbolic of summer and the festive season. The pöhutukawa shown on this stamp is part of a larger window in the Christchurch Hospital Nurses Memorial Chapel.
$3.00 - Wise Men.
According to the nativity story, the three wise men were kings of the East who were led to where Jesus lay by an angel. There they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This stained-glass window is one of three windows portraying the nativity story in St Benedict’s Church, Auckland.
The five gummed stamps shown on their own First Day Cover.
It also had its own First Day Cover.
The Adhesive Stamps.
There were three adhesive values included in this issue. They were issued in various NZ Post products such as Self Adhesive Stamp Dispensers and Self Adhesive Stamp Booklets.
$2.00 - Mary and Jesus. (Adhesive) $2.50 - Pōhutukawa. (Adhesive)
80c - Angel. (Adhesive)
The three adhesive stamps were featured on their own First Day Cover.
Self-adhesive booklet and dispenser.
Christmas 2015 Set Configurations.
show two of them in this post.
Set of Five Plate Blocks.
Set of Five Value Blocks.
Technical information
Date of issue:
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4 November 2015
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Number of stamps:
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Five gummed and three self-adhesive stamps
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Denominations:
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Gummed: 80c, $1.40, $2.00, $2.50, $3.00
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Stamps designed by:
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Hannah Stancliffe-White, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand.
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Printer and process:
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Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography
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Number of colours:
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Four process colours with synseal overgloss.
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Stamp size and format:
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Gummed: 40mm x 30mm (vertical). Self-adhesive: 30mm x 25mm (vertical)
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Paper type:
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Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper. Dispenser box stamps: Avery Dennison 210gsm B90 Kraft Back WLK6 Adhesive. Booklets: Tullis Russell 210gsm red phosphor PSA stamp paper.
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Number of stamps per sheet:
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25
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Perforation gauge:
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Gummed: 14. Self-adhesive: Die-cut.
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Special blocks:
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Plate/imprint blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks are available in A and B formats.
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Period of sale:
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Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 3 November 2016.
First day covers will remain on sale until 3 January 2016.
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Images and Text used with permission from the NZ Post web site.
https://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/
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