New Zealand Post’s Christmas stamps adorn envelopes carrying messages of Christmas cheer to loved ones at home and abroad.
Issue information
As the festive season approached, Christmas 2010 was no different. As New Zealanders around the country searched for the perfect presents and organised the Christmas dinner, New Zealand Post released its 50th anniversary issue of Christmas stamps. Printed with metallic silver, the 2010 Christmas stamp issue featured images of stamps from popular Christmas themes of the last half-century.
Product Listing for 2010 Christmas
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 60c '1960 Xmas' gummed stamp. Stamps based on classical paintings have been popular throughout the years. The very first Christmas stamp depicted Rembrandt’s painting ‘The Adoration of the Shepherds’. Painted in 1646, it’s an intimate scene in which the shepherds kneel before the crib of baby Jesus. |
$0.60 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.20 '1970 3c' gummed stamp. In the past 50 years, New Zealand Christmas stamps have showcased various stained glass windows from New Zealand churches. The window from the First Presbyterian Church in Invercargill featured on the 1970 Christmas stamp, and now appears on the $1.20 stamp. |
$1.20 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.90 '1979 35c' gummed stamp. Christmas in New Zealand has been a prevalent theme, and the 1979 Christmas stamp featured a Pōhutukawa tree in bloom along the Thames-Coromandel coast. With its brilliant display of red flowers in the summer, it is often referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree. |
$1.90 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.40 '1983 45c' gummed stamp. Modern interpretations of the traditional Christmas story have regularly recurred in our Christmas stamp issues. The Southern Cross and the Star of Bethlehem were depicted on the 1983 Christmas stamp and are the focus of this year’s $2.40 stamp. |
$2.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.90 '2000 40c' gummed stamp. Continuing the traditional Christmas theme, the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus were beautifully illustrated on the 2000 Christmas stamp, and now appear on the $2.90 stamp. |
$2.90 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single 60c '1960 Xmas' self-adhesive stamp. | $0.60 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $1.90 '1979 35c' self-adhesive stamp. | $1.90 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $12.00 |
 |
Dispenser | Dispenser box containing 100 self-adhesive 60c stamps. | $60.00 |
 |
Booklet | Booklet containing 10 x 60c self-adhesive stamps. | $5.40 |
 |
Booklet | Booklet containing 10 x $1.90 self-adhesive stamps. | $16.00 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 20 October 2010 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Five gummed and two self-adhesive |
| Denominations: | Gummed: 60c, $1.20, $1.90, $2.40, $2.90; Self-adhesive: 60c, $1.90 |
| Stamps and first day cover designed by: | Hamish Thompson, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours, plus metallic silver |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper; Self-adhesive: B100 self-adhesive stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 50 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/Imprint blocks were obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until close of business 19 October 2011. |