The Designs.
The lower values of the 1975 Pictorial / Definitives were nine stamps featuring roses grown in New Zealand. To capture the beauty of each rose, a larger almost square format was used. While creating an impressive set of stamps, this led to problems with vending machines. At first the older 1970 stamps were used but by 1977 as postage rates continued to rise new values were created by overprinting these older stamps. (1970 Definitive / Pictorials - Part One.) Finally in 1978 a new set of four values were issued especially for use in vending machines.In 1976 a four value issue of Maori artifacts was added, then in 1977 came the 10c Queen Elizabeth II, with the high value seashells following in 1978 & 1979. In 1981 the $5 Beehive was issued. There is some debate among us writers on whether this last stamp should be included in this series of issues.
Series Index.
1975 Pictorials - Part One. An overview and history of these issues.
1975 Pictorials - Part Two. The stamp designs and subjects in more detail.
1975 Pictorials - Part Three. Flaws & errors found in the 9 low value roses.
1975 Pictorials - Part Four. Flaws & errors found in the 10c Queen Elizabeth.
1975 Pictorials - Part Five. Flaws & errors found in the higher values.
1975 Rose Definitives.
Designed by Alan Mitchell of Wellington the roses of 1975 were among New Zealand's best lower value definitive stamps. I believe their success is due to a simple design that allows the flowers themselves to take centre stage with any text confined to the bottom border. What I think makes this is even more impressive was the fact there are nine of them, nine brightly coloured, larger format stamps.
1c - 'Sterling Silver' Rose. 2c - 'Lili Marlene' Rose.
1c - 'Sterling Silver' Rose.
A hybrid tea rose raised in the USA in 1957. It has medium-sized, sliver-lilac flowers highlighted with deeper shades which become paler with age. Sterling Silver has glossy foliage and a pleasant smell.
2c - 'Lili Marlene' Rose.
A floribunda rose raised in Germany in 1959. This rose is a vigorous, and branching grower producing larger thick bushes. It blooms profusely, often covered in deep red flower. Lili Marlene is also weather resistant and is one of the most reliable and effective roses for garden decoration.
3c - 'Queen Elizabeth' Rose. 4c - 'Super Star' Rose.
3c - 'Queen Elizabeth' Rose.
A floribunda, hybrid-tea type rose raised in the USA in 1954, named after Queen Elizabeth II who had just ascended to the throne of England. It grows to 5 feet or more, has exceptional vigour, is upright growing and has almost thornless stems. This extremely popular cultivar is weather resistant but has very little scent.
4c - 'Super Star' Rose.
Sometimes known as Tropicana, this rose was raised in Germany in 1960. Of sweet fragrance and free flowering, the blooms resist wet weather well.
5c - 'Diamond Jubilee' Rose. 6c - 'Cresset' Rose.
5c - 'Diamond Jubilee' Rose.
This is a hybrid tea rose raised in the USA in 1947. It has large, full flowers of 25 to 30 petals and is a vigorous grower with large, leathery foliage. The rose blooms are very fragrant making this rose a popular one.
6c - 'Cresset' Rose.
This floribunda-type rose was bred by a New Zealander, the late Dr R. Francis, OBE. The bright red blooms are smaller than those of Queen Elizabeth and are a better shape. It is not a rose widely grown in New Zealand but it is very disease resistant and is always clothed in shining green foliage.
7c - 'Michele Meilland' Rose. 8c - 'Josephine Bruce' Rose.
7c - 'Michele Meilland' Rose.
A hybrid tea rose raised in France in 1945. It has soft blooms with a slight fragrance. This is an ideal rose for cutting and also for the show bench.
8c - 'Josephine Bruce' Rose.
A hybrid rose raised in England in 1949. It is a vigorous spreading grower with semi-glossy, dark green leathery foliage. The very fragrant, medium-sized blooms are well formed with high pointed centres.
9c - 'Iceberg' Rose.
This floribunda-type rose was raised in Germany in 1958. It is a vigorous grower producing many shoots which spread into a shapely, graceful plant. The profuse flowers have a slight but pleasant scent and resist weather well. Iceberg is ideal for a hedge, of if pruned lightly will develop into a shrub. For a long time it was one of the most popular floribunda roses.
(Notes on these 9 rose stamps were mainly taken from Campbell Paterson's Loose Leaf Catalogue, from permanent page PA2.)
10c / 14c - Queen Elizabeth II.
1977 Silver Jubilee Miniature Sheet.
The design for the 10c value was a simple portrait taken from the 1977 Silver Jubilee Issue which can be seen above. The second photo from the left was used showing Queen Elizabeth II facing towards the right, wearing a crown. When you compare this stamp below with the definitive version you will notice that the Queen's shoulders has been trimmed off, making the picture more square than rectangle.
1977 Silver Jubilee Issue - 8c.
1977 QE II - 10c 1979 QE II Overprint - 14c
This is a great stamp, a very simple design, just being the Queen's portrait plus "NEW ZEALAND" and the value. Its a pleasing portrait which creates a good looking stamp. In my opinion well worthy enough to stand beside the classic definitive stamps of the 1800s.
Definitive Versions 10c and 14co/p.
Since the 10c value was only on issue for less than 2 years before the 14c overprint was issued the 10c has become more valuable than the 14c value. The normal stamp today is listed as $1.30 mint - 50c used while the normal overprint is valued at 60c mint - 50c used. (Values taken from Campbell Paterson's Loose Leaf Catalogue.)
See also 2013 - Queen Elizabeth II Coronation 60th Anniversary.
Since the 10c value was only on issue for less than 2 years before the 14c overprint was issued the 10c has become more valuable than the 14c value. The normal stamp today is listed as $1.30 mint - 50c used while the normal overprint is valued at 60c mint - 50c used. (Values taken from Campbell Paterson's Loose Leaf Catalogue.)
See also 2013 - Queen Elizabeth II Coronation 60th Anniversary.
1976 - Maori Artefacts.
Four priceless Maori artefacts collected during Captain Cook's voyages of discovery to New Zealand were depicted on these Definitive stamps. Issued 24 November 1976. I believe this has been a very over looked issue, partly because they were considered as being just some Maori artefacts and partly because of their brown, darker appearance when compared with the bright coloured roses. But we must consider that these four stamps show objects, now around 250 years old, collected and held in the hands of Captain Cook, representing pre-European Maori technology.
See our thematic collections Captain Cook Stamps of New Zealand. & Maori Definitive Stamps.
Index page - The Maori People.
Index page - The Maori People.
11c - Maripi. 12c - Putorino.
13c - Wahaika. 14c - Kotiate.
11c - Maripi.
An intricately carved wooden knife edged with shark teeth. Reputed to have been used for cutting flesh - possibly human flesh - it may also have been used as a weapon.
12c - Putorino.
A carved flute with an unusual double tube played as a solo instrument or to accompany a song.
13c - Wahaika.
A sickle-shaped hardwood club used for jabbing in close combat.
14c - Kotiate.
A ceremonial form of another hand-to-hand weapon.
1978 / 79 Seashells.
New Zealand seashells were featured on a set of larger value definitive stamps issued in two parts; 20c, 30c, 40c, 50c in 1978 & $1, $2 in 1979. New Zealand is surrounded by coastline and beaches so seashells are easy to find. There are many beautiful ones, often collected for garden, decorations and shell collections. The six seen here are just a sample of what can be found by anyone prepared to take the time to look.
Trial Designs.
The Seashells were designed by I Hulse of Wellington. During the design process of the 1978 issue, four stamps were submitted for approval. While close to the final design selected, they did not quite meet what NZ Post was looking for. Notice these stamps are portrait format while the final stamps are landscape format.
20c - Paua (Trial Design). 30c - Toheroa (Trial Design). 40c - Coarse Dosinia (Trial Design). 50c - Spiny Murex (Trial Design).
Trial Designs.
The Seashells were designed by I Hulse of Wellington. During the design process of the 1978 issue, four stamps were submitted for approval. While close to the final design selected, they did not quite meet what NZ Post was looking for. Notice these stamps are portrait format while the final stamps are landscape format.
Final Designs as Issued.
20c - Paua. 30c - Toheroa.
20c - Paua (Haliotis iris).
Paua can be found on the open coast around New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. The animal is black and the interior of the shell has cloudy waves of rainbow colours, blues and greens being dominant. The shells were used by Maori to add a gleam of life to eyes in their wood carved figures. Today these shells are processed into attractive jewellery and curios. Issued 29 November 1978.
Paua can be found on the open coast around New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. The animal is black and the interior of the shell has cloudy waves of rainbow colours, blues and greens being dominant. The shells were used by Maori to add a gleam of life to eyes in their wood carved figures. Today these shells are processed into attractive jewellery and curios. Issued 29 November 1978.
30c - Toheroa (Paphies ventricosa).
The toheroa was greatly prized as a culinary delicacy. In the 1970s they became so popular that the Marine Department imposed strict limits to the season during which they can be fished, the size to be taken, and the quantity for each person. The shells are very brittle and easily damaged, and one regulation was that only hands could be used for digging. They are found at low tide 120 to 150 centimetres below the surface from where they feed on microscopic marine life sieved from the water through their long siphons. Today, in 2016, they are fully protected. Issued 29 November 1978.
The toheroa was greatly prized as a culinary delicacy. In the 1970s they became so popular that the Marine Department imposed strict limits to the season during which they can be fished, the size to be taken, and the quantity for each person. The shells are very brittle and easily damaged, and one regulation was that only hands could be used for digging. They are found at low tide 120 to 150 centimetres below the surface from where they feed on microscopic marine life sieved from the water through their long siphons. Today, in 2016, they are fully protected. Issued 29 November 1978.
40c - Coarse Dosinia. 50c - Spiny Murex.
40c - Coarse Dosinia (Dosinia anus).
A member of the worldwide Venus family of shells remarkable for their variety of surface sculpture. This particular shell lives buried in sand below low tide on open sandy beaches. It is large, heavy, and disc- shaped with strong sharp ridges on the outside. Issued 29 November 1978.
A member of the worldwide Venus family of shells remarkable for their variety of surface sculpture. This particular shell lives buried in sand below low tide on open sandy beaches. It is large, heavy, and disc- shaped with strong sharp ridges on the outside. Issued 29 November 1978.
50c - Spiny Murex (Poirieria zelandica).
A member of the family of Murex shells. The finest specimens come from deep water. Those washed ashore invariably have broken spines. The shells are sometimes found in rock pools with hermit crabs in residence. Issued 29 November 1978.
A member of the family of Murex shells. The finest specimens come from deep water. Those washed ashore invariably have broken spines. The shells are sometimes found in rock pools with hermit crabs in residence. Issued 29 November 1978.
$1.00 - Scallop. $2.00 - Circular Saw Shell.
$1.00 - Scallop.
The scallop can be found in most New Zealand harbours at and below low tide and is not uncommon on many ocean beaches after storms. There is a wide variety of colours and patterns. It is a popular culinary delicacy and is fished commercially at Nelson. Issued 26 November 1979.
$2.00 - Circular Saw Shell.
The circular saw or star shell is one of the finest and most interesting of a world-wide family and is deservedly popular with collectors. Good specimens are not easy to obtain as they live at medium depths on sandy bottoms, seldom washing ashore in good condition. Although found all around the New Zealand coastline the best and largest specimens seem to be from Foveaux Strait, where they are sometimes dredged by oyster boats. Issued 26 November 1979.
1979 / 80 Provisional Overprints.
The continued increasing of postal rates required the overprinting of four values.
14c o/p on 10c. 4c o/p on 8c.
14c - Provisional overprint on 10c 'Queen Elizabeth II' stamp, issued 31 August, 1979.
4c - Provisional overprint on 8c 'Josephine Bruce' stamp, issued 24 September. 1979
17c o/p on 6c. 20c o/p on 7c.
17c - Provisional overprint of 6c 'Cresset' stamp issued 9 October 1979.
20c - Provisional overprint of 7c 'Michele Meilland' stamp issued 29 September 1980.
Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their web site and On-line Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/
Information for this post came from.
Notes on these 9 rose stamps were mainly taken from Campbell Paterson's Loose Leaf Catalogue, from permanent page PA2. http://www.cpnzstamps.co.nz/home
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