Sheet of 25 x $2.80 'The Lantern' gummed stamps.
Chinese New Year celebrations are said to have started when a demon called Nian terrorised the countryside on New Year’s Eve. Alongside the infant and the Tiger, this stamp celebrates the role of the lantern as a way to scare Nian away and usher in a prosperous new year.
Those born in the year of the Tiger are considered lucky for various reasons. Click here for more information about this issue.
| Date of issue: | 1 December 2021 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed |
| Denominations: | $1.50, $2.80, $3.60 & $4.10 |
| Designed and illustrated by: | YMC Design, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Miniature sheet size and format: | 135mm x 90mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 106gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 30 November 2022. First day covers were only available until 31 January 2022. |