The Christmas 1984 stamps featured an Old Master painting, a historic church and a scene underlining the special character of the Southern Hemisphere Christmas.
Issue information
The design on the 18c stamp is a detail of the Old Master painting "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Lorenzo Di Credi. The original work which is in oil an wood hangs in the uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
Old St Paul's Church, Wellington, with its dictinctive archtectural style featureson the 35c stamp. One hundred years after its consecration in June 1866, Old St Paul's was bought buy the Government for the people of New Zealand and it remains on its original site as a historic place.
Bells features on the 45c stamp "The Joy of Christmas" . A symbol of happiness, rejoicing and celebration, the bells has been the source of many legends and traditions handed down through the ages. Today bellsare rung to welsome the spirit of Christmas, and to peal out happiness and a special message.
Stamp Bulletin
This stamp issue first appeared in New Zealand Post Stamp Bulletin No. 32 in October 1984.
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 Chirstmas 1984
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Stamp |
Single 18c 'Old Master painting of the "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Lorenzo Di Credi' gummed stamp. Born in 1456, the son of a goldsmith, Lorenzo di Credi lived his whole life in Florence, devoting most of his time to art and enjoying the inspirations of other great masters of his time. The original work which is in oil on wood hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. |
$0.18 | |
| Single Stamp |
Single 35c 'Old St Paul's Church, Wellington' gummed stamp. The original design of the church was by Frederick Thatcher, then vicar of the Thorndon parish and also an architect by trade. St Paul's his largest and the only example of his work in Wellington, was consecrated on 6 June 1866 by Bishop Abraham. Although the architectural style is early English Gothic, St Paul's exhibits quite a colonial spirit in the warm use of totara, matai, heart rimu and kauri. One hundred years after its consecration Old St Paul's was bought by the Government for the people of New Zealand and it remains on its original site as a historic place. |
$0.35 | |
| Single Stamp |
Single 45c 'The Joy of Christmas' Bells' gummed stamp. A symbol of happiness, rejoicing and celebration, the bell has been the source of many legends and traditions handed down through the ages. Today, bells are rung to welcome the spirit of Christmas, and to peal out happiness and a special message. |
$0.45 | |
| First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $1.05 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 26 September 1984 |
|---|---|
| Denominations and design: | 18c and 35c Graphics by Mr P.J. Durrant, Christchurch, 45c Mr R.M. Conly, Waikanae |
| Printer and process: | Heraclio Fournier S.A. Spain by lithography |
| Stamp size and format: | 26mm x 41mm; 18c Horizontal 35c & 45c Vertical |
| Sheet size: | 100 stamps (10 rows of 10) |
| Paper type: | Unwatermarked |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.7 x 13.7 |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 30 June 1985. |