1985 Health Stamps featured photographs by Lord Snowdon of Prince Charles, The Princess of Wales, Prince William and Prince Henry.
Issue information
The connection between royalty and the children's health camps goes back to 1939, when the movement was named the King George V Memorial Children's Health Camps Federation. In 1985 there were seven health camps operating in New Zealand. The health camp in Rotorua was opened on April 23 1983 and was named the Princess of Wales Health Camp. The Princess of Wales was asked to lend her name to the camp because of her known love of children. She wrote to the board saying how pleased she was to recieve the request. The Rotorua health camp was opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales when they toured New Zealand in 1983.
One of the 25c + 2c stamps featured the Princess of Wales with Prince William and the other 25c + 2c stamp featured the Princess of Wales with Prince Harry. These stamp were printed as a se-tenant pair. The 35c + 2c stamp featured a family photograph with the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The miniature sheet featured two of each of the stamps in this issue. The first day cover featured the se-tenant stamps and the 35c + 2 stamp.
The proceeds of the 'Health' value of health stamps were donated to the Children's Health Camps movement. In 1985 the sale of health stamps contributed 4.5 per cent of the Health Board's income.
Stamp Bulletin
This stamp issue first appeared in New Zealand Post Stamp Bulletin No. 33 in April 1985.
Acknowledgments: 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/
Product Listing for 1985 Health
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of Single Stamps | Pair of 25c + 2c gummed stamps. | $0.54 | |
| Single Stamp | Single 35c + 2c gummed stamp. | $0.37 | |
| Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled miniature sheet. | $1.82 | |
| First Day Cover | First day cover with three stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $1.05 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 31 July 1985 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Three gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 25c + 2c, 25c + 2c se-tenant pair; 35c |
| Stamps and first day cover designed by: | D Little, Auckland; Photographs supplied from personal collection of Lord Snowden. |
| Printer and process: | Cambec Press Pty Ltd, Australia by lithography |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 35mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Unwatermarked |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 100 stamps per sheet |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.5 x 13.25 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint positional or value blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps of all denomination. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until June 30 1986. First day covers remained on sale until August 9 1985. |