Christmas in New Zealand signals long summer days and holidays; so different from the Northern Hemisphere. But in both halves of the globe the spirit of Christmas is much the same.
Issue information
The Christmas 1987 stamp issue depicted three carols.
Carolling is a Northern Hemisphere tradition, customarily performed by groups who often trudge through snow from door to door, singing blessings and asking for good cheer in return. In a snowless New Zealand December, it is not unknown for carols to be sung by groups tramping residential neighbourhoods on warm summer evenings but it is not a common practice. The best place to hear live carol singing in New Zealand is in a church or cathedral, a large railway station or city square.
Product Listing for Chirstmas 1987
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Stamp |
Single 35c gummed stamp. This stamp depicted the carol 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing'. |
$0.35 | |
| Single Stamp |
Single 70c gummed stamp. This stamp depicted the carol 'Away in a Manger'. |
$0.70 | |
| Single Stamp |
Single 85c gummed stamp. This stamp depicted the carol 'We Three Kings of Orient Are'. |
$0.85 | |
| First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $2.04 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 16 September 1987 |
|---|---|
| Denominations: | 35c, 70c, 85c |
| Designer: | Ellen Giggenbach, Auckland |
| Printer and process: | Leigh-Mardon Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia; Lithography |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 35mm (vertical) |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 100 (10 rows of 10) |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 30 June 1988. |