The Christmas 1968 stamp depicted the painting, The Adoration by the Dutch artist Gherardo van Honthorst.
Issue information
Gherardo van Honthorst was also known as Gherardo delle Notti, because of his liking for paintings with a night setting.
The stamp bears the title The Adoration of the Shepherds whereas this should of just been The Adoration.
Stamp Bulletin
This stamp issue first appeared in New Zealand Post Stamp Bulletin No. 47 in April 1968.
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 Christmas 1968
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 2 1/2c 'The Adoration' gummed stamp. Painted by Gherardo van Honthorst, Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. |
2 1/2c |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 1 October 1968 |
|---|---|
| Designers: | New Zealand Post Office, Wellington |
| Printers: | Harrison and Sons, England |
| Stamp size: | 34.5mm x 35mm |
| Sheet size: | 50 stamps per sheet |
| Process: | Photogravure |
| Performance gauge: | 14.5 x 14 |
| Paper type: | Chalk surfaced, multiple NZ and star watermark |
| Period of sale: | This stamp remained on sale until 30 June 1969. |