1999 Year of the Rabbit - Popular Pets was a celebration of the continuing affection New Zealanders have for their pets and a tribute to the animals we share our lives with.
Issue information
The issue also celebrated the Chinese Lunar Year of the Rabbit by featuring a gutter strip with a lunar calendar figure of a rabbit running through each sheet of stamps.
Miniature Sheet
Incorporating three of the stamps from this issue, this miniature sheet commemorated 1999 as the Year of the Rabbit.
Product Listing for 1999 Year of the Rabbit - Popular Pets
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 40c 'Labrador Puppy' gummed stamp. One of the most popular dog breeds in New Zealand is the Labrador. They are intelligent and very friendly animals, patient around children and renowned as wonderful family dogs. They tend to be very stable and will take most things in their stride. |
$0.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 80c 'Netherland Dwarf Rabbit' gummed stamp. The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit is a very popular breed of household rabbit, and its small size makes it an ideal pet. They have good temperaments, which makes them a nice pet to have around children. They are very curious creatures, and enjoy interacting with their owners. |
$0.80 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.00 'Tabby Kitten' gummed stamp. Cats with stripes are called 'tabbies'. All tabbies have thin pencil lines on the face, expressive markings around the eyes and a tabby "M" on the forehead. Their colouring is thought to be the original colour of domesticated cats. As kittens they are particularly appealing, lively, incredibly curious and mischievous. |
$1.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.20 'Lamb' gummed stamp. It is not uncommon for farm animals to become family pets, especially new-born lambs. Given the playful and innocent nature of lambs, it is not surprising that they are befriended by rural families and often shown at school and community pet days. Once grown, they are generally returned to the main flock to yield wool and their own progeny, but remain frequent visitors to the farmhouse. |
$1.20 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.50 'Welsh Pony' gummed stamp. As the name suggests, Welsh ponies originated in Wales. Today, they are found all over the world, including New Zealand. Very strong, with tremendous powers of endurance, and a high level of intelligence, they have beautiful short heads, big eyes, plenty of character and wonderful dispositions. |
$1.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.80 'Pair of Budgies' gummed stamp. Budgies are very social animals, and thrive in a home where they receive plenty of attention and someone to talk to regularly. Getting them to talk back requires repetition and patience, but as they learn words it becomes easier for them to pick up new ones. |
$1.80 |
 |
Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled miniature sheet. | $2.20 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.20 |
 |
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with miniature sheet affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $2.70 |
| Set of Maximum Cards | Set of six pre-paid postcards featuring a stamp on the front and artwork fron the stamp issue. | $7.95 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 10 February 1999 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Six |
| Denominations and designs: | Sheet stamps: 40c Labrador Puppy, 80c Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, $1.00 Tabby Kitten, $1.20 Lamb, $1.50 Welsh Pony, $1.80 Pair of Budgies; Miniature sheet: 40c Labrador Puppy, 80c Netherland Dwarf Rabit, $1.00 Tabby Kitten |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day cover designed by: | Lindy Fisher, Auckland, New Zealand |
| First day cover with miniature sheet designed by: | Julie Greig, Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by lithography |
| Number of colours | Stamps: four process colours; Miniature sheet: four process colours plus two special colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Miniature sheet size: | 100mm x 135mm |
| Paper type: | 104gsm gummed red phosphor coated stamp paper |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 100 with a vertical gutter strip of 10 rabbit figures running through the middle of the sheet |
| Cost of unaddressed first day cover with stamps: | $7.20 |
| Cost of unaddressed first day cover with miniature sheet: | $2.70 |
| Gutter pairs: | Gutter pairs could be obtained by purchasing at least two stamps of any denomination, with a gutter panel between them. |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint, positional or value blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps. Colour blocks ('traffic lights') were included in plate blocks. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 10 February 2000. |