Definitives Tour.
New Zealand is home to 23 species of butterflies. Butterflies belong to the insect order Lepidoptera, which is dominated by the butterfly's close relative - the moth. Butterflies resident in New Zealand display different shapes, colours and patterns and live in a wide range of environments, from forest floors and swamps, to domestic gardens and rocky alpine areas.
During the early 1990s, a small definitive issue of five values was used with larger dollar value stamps. The butterfly definitive stamps were initially printed by Leigh-Mardon Pty Ltd. The House of Questa later reprinted the issue and these stamps may be distinguished by the differing perforations on the top and bottom edges of the stamps although the $1, $2 and $4 stamps also vary in size. The $4 and $5 stamps were not issued until January 1995.
The House of Questa stamps were incorrectly listed as being Perf 13¾ x 14 in at least two other highly regarded catalogues when they are in fact 13¾ x 14¼. Volume X of the Postage Stamps of New Zealand (by the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand) confirms that 13¾ x 14¼ is in fact correct.
$1.00 - Forest Ringlet (Dodonidia helmsii).
The Forest Ringlet is the most vividly coloured of all New Zealand butterflies. It has a wingspan ranging from 40-60mm and its flight is jaunty and fast. It lives in forested localities in the North Island and in the north of the South Island. Its favourite food plants are forest sedges and forest snow grasses.
Issued 6 November 1991. The initial printings were by Leigh-Mardon with subsequent reprints by The House of Questa. This stamp also appeared in a trial Airpost booklet in 1995, printed by Southern Colour Print.
1995 Trial Airpost Booklet.
Southern Colour Print produced a trial AirPost booklet with AirPost labels se-tenant to the top of the stamps. The bottom edge of the stamps from the booklet are imperforate.
$2.00 - Southern Blue (Zizina otis oxleyi).
The Southern Blue is one of the smallest and most abundant of New Zealand butterflies. This species prefers warm, dry places less than 1,000 metres above sea level and it can be found east of the Southern Alps and in North Canterbury. The Southern Blue has a wingspan of between 20-27mm and its flight is weak and stuttering. It flies just above ground level with frequent stops.
Issued 6 November 1991. First two printings produced by Leigh-Mardon, third printing produced by The House of Questa.
$3.00 - Yellow Admiral (Bassaris itea).
The Yellow Admiral is found throughout New Zealand. It prefers open country, wastelands and gardens where stinging nettle - this species' first choice of food plant - has become established. The Yellow Admiral is often seen flying with the slightly larger Red Admiral. With a wingspan of 48-55mm, the Yellow Admiral is a strong flier.
Issued 6 November 1991. First three printings produced by Leigh-Mardon, fourth printing produced by The House of Questa.
Issued 6 November 1991 - First Day Cover.
$4.00 - Common Copper (Lycaena salustius).
The common copper is found only in New Zealand. This butterfly feeds off the Muehlenbeckia creeper, and will often be found wherever that plant grows, as well as in coastal areas and open spaces throughout New Zealand.
Issued 25 January 1995.
Southern Colour Print also reprinted the $4 stamp and these stamps can also be distinguished by differing perforations.
Southern Colour Print also reprinted the $4 stamp and these stamps can also be distinguished by differing perforations.
$5.00 - Red Admiral (Bassaris gonerilla).
This spectacular butterfly is found throughout New Zealand in the summer months. The host plant and favoured food of the Red Admiral is the native stinging nettle or ongaonga. But because its supply has been much reduced, it can also be seen feeding on the sap of tree bark. The Maori name for this butterfly is Kahukura, meaning rainbow or red garment.
Issued 25 January 1995.
Issued 25 January 1995 - First Day Cover.
A copy of the 1995 FDC produced as a souvenir in 2000.
World Stamp Exhibition 'Philanippon '91'
Philanippon '91 Butterfly Miniature Sheet
New Zealand Post attended the World Stamp Exhibition 'Philanippon '91' held in Toyko in 1991. A special miniature sheet was produced to commemorate the event incorporating a $3 butterfly definitive stamp. The sheet was produced by Leigh-Mardon.
Issued 16 November 1991.
New Zealand Post attended the World Stamp Exhibition 'Philanippon '91' held in Toyko in 1991. A special miniature sheet was produced to commemorate the event incorporating a $3 butterfly definitive stamp. The sheet was produced by Leigh-Mardon.
Issued 16 November 1991.
Technical information
Date of Issue:
| 6 November 1991 |
|---|---|
Designers:
| Pauline Morse, Pukerua Bay, NZ |
Printers:
| Leigh-Mardon, Australia; Southern Colour Print, New Zealand; House of Questa, England |
Stamp Size:
| 29mm x 35mm; Miniature Sheet: 115mm x 100mm |
Sheet Size:
| 50 stamps per sheet; Miniature Sheet of one stamp |
Process:
| Lithography |
| Perforation Gauge: | Leigh-Mardon stamps: 14.25; Southern Colour Print stamps: 11 x 11.25; Questa stamps: 13.75 x 14.25 |
Paper Type:
| Various paper types, unwatermarked |
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 for this post came from.
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