A race between small yachts, set against a typical New Zealand coastal scene with the sun's rays prominently radiating from the top right-hand corner, was depicted on the 1951 Health stamps.
Issue information
The yachts featured on these stamps are of the Takapuna class, a special New Zealand design, with a specified length of 12 feet 6 inches, beam of 5 feet and a mast height of 12 feet 7 inches. They are of the V-bottomed type and the sides of the hull from the deck to the waterline are almost vertical. The rig is limited to a mainsail and spinnaker. This class competed for the Cornwell Cup, a trophy donated in memory of John Travers Cornwell VC killed in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The age of the two crew was restricted to under 19 years of age and their combined weight to under 17 stone.
The proceeds of the 'Health' value of these 1951 Health stamps were donated to the Children's Health Camps movement.
Acknowledgments
Historical Information
Information included on this page sourced from The Postage Stamps of New Zealand published by the Royal Philatelic Society of NZ. Their web site offers further information useful to those interested in the stamps and postal history of New Zealand. Link: https://www.rpsnz.org.nz/
Product Listing for 1951 Health
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 1 1/2d + 1/2d gummed stamp. Yachting race for the Cornwell Cup of the Takapuna Class on red background with yellow rays of sunshine. |
1 1/2d |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 2d + 1d gummed stamp. Yachting race for the Cornwell Cup of the Takapuna Class on dark green background with yellow rays of sunshine. |
3d |
Technical information
| Date of Issue: | 1 November 1951 |
|---|---|
| Designers: | J Berry, Wellington and R S Phillips, Rangiora |
| Printers: | Bradbury Wilkinson, England |
| Stamp Size: | 40mm x 24mm |
| Sheet Size: | 120 stamps per sheet |
| Process: | Recess printed - Intaglio |
| Perforation Gauge: | 13.5 x 13.5 |
| Paper Type: | Wiggins Teape 'Royal Cypher', multiple NZ and star watermark |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 31 January 1952. |