Three stamps were issued in 1955 to commemorate the centenary of New Zealand's first adhesive postage stamp. A stamp design competition was held to obtain suitable artwork and a total of 104 submissions were made by 49 competitors.
Issue information
R M Conly's design depicting a Māori Mail Runner was used for the 2d stamp, J Berry's design depicting Queen Elizabeth II in a style similar to that of the first New Zealand stamps was selected for the 3d stamp and A G Mitchell's design depicting an aircraft in flight appeared on the 4d stamp.
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/
Stamp Bulletin
Bulletin scanned and provided by John Biddlecombe of the New Zealand Society of Great Britain. Their web site offers further information useful to those interested in the stamps and postal history of New Zealand. Link: http://www.nzsgb.org.uk/
Stamp Bulletin
This stamp issue first appeared in New Zealand Post Stamp Bulletin No. 7 on 21 March 1955.
Product Listing for 1955 Stamp Centennial
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 2d 'Māori Mail Runner' gummed stamp. The native runner was the first means used in New Zealand for the carriage of mail. |
2d |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 3d 'Queen Elizabeth II' gummed stamp. Depicted in a style similar to the first New Zealand stamps. |
3d |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 4d 'Aeroplane' gummed stamp. In recognition of the modern method of mail transportation. |
4d |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 18 July 195 |
|---|---|
| Designers: | R M Conly, J Berry and A G Mitchell |
| Printers: | Thomas De La Rue, England |
| Stamp size: | 2d : 24mm x 40mm; 3d : 24mm x 27mm; 4d : 40mm x 24mm |
| Sheet size: | 2d and 4d : 120 stamps per sheet (two panes of 60); 3d : 160 stamps per sheet |
| Process: | Recess printed - Intaglio |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 |
| Paper type: | Wiggins Teape 'Royal Cypher', multiple NZ and star watermark |
| Period of sale: | These stamps were withdrawn from sale on the 31 August 1957. |