For many children across New Zealand, performing in a nativity play is a festive tradition. The story of the nativity play is told through stunning illustrations on the Christmas 2014 stamps.
Issue information
Each of the five gummed stamps incorporated gorgeous watercolours with mixed media to bring a realistic element to the images. The illustrations depict five of the central characters to the nativity play and a pōhutukawa flower is subtly depicted on each stamp, giving the designs a uniquely New Zealand touch.
Festive First Day Covers with a New Zealand Touch
As part of this special Christmas issue, two first day covers were available - one with the gummed stamps affixed and the other with the self-adhesive stamps affixed. Both first day covers featured a watercolour illustration of a pōhutukawa flower, colloquially known as the ‘New Zealand Christmas Tree’. The pōhutukawa flowers from November to January, with a peak in mid to late December with vibrant crimson flowers covering the tree.
Self-adhesive Stamps
Perfect for both local and international postage, three self-adhesive stamps were also available in denominations of 80c, $2.00 and $2.50.
Christmas Stamps Perfect for Postage
The 2014 self-adhesive Christmas stamps were available in three convenient booklets of ten, and when you purchased a $2.00 or $2.50 booklet, you received ten stamps for the price of nine.
The $2.00 and $2.50 self-adhesive stamps included the ‘International Par Avion Air’ symbol to help identify them specifically for international use. To make it convenient, we also included ten international air stickers in the international booklets to make your Christmas sending as simple as possible.
A dispenser box of 100 x 80c stamps was also available for your domestic postage needs.
Product Listing for Christmas 2014
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 80c 'Mary & Jesus' gummed stamp. Depicted here with the baby Jesus, Mary gazes at her newborn child, emphasising the love we must show to one another at Christmas time. |
$0.80 |
|
|
Single Stamp |
Single $1.40 'Joseph' gummed stamp. Though weary from the hardship of travelling and having no place to stay other than a stable, Joseph is shown to be at peace on this stamp. |
$1.40 |
|
|
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'Wise Men' gummed stamp. The three wise men were Kings of the East, lead to Jesus by the light of a star. They express generosity with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. |
$2.00 |
|
|
Single Stamp |
Single $2.50 'Angel' gummed stamp. The angel is shown wearing a garland of New Zealand flora, and is expressing joy at the birth of Jesus. |
$2.50 |
|
|
Single Stamp |
Single $3.00 'Shepherd' gummed stamp. The angel brought the news of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds and led them to the manger where Jesus lay. The shepherds were full of hope that the news was true. |
$3.00 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single 80c 'Mary & Jesus' self-adhesive stamp. | $0.80 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $2.00 'Joseph' self-adhesive stamp. | $2.00 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $2.50 'Angel' self-adhesive stamp. | $2.50 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with five gummed stamps affixed. | $10.20 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with three self adhesive stamps affixed. | $5.80 |
 |
Self-adhesive Dispenser | Dispenser box of 100 x 80c self-adhesive stamps. | $80.00 |
 |
Self-adhesive Booklet | Booklet of 10 x 80c self-adhesive stamps. | $8.00 |
 |
Self-adhesive Booklet | Booklet of 10 x $2.00 self-adhesive stamps (Buy 10 International stamps and pay for 9 while stocks last). | $18.00 |
 |
Self-adhesive Booklet | Booklet of 10 x $2.50 self-adhesive stamps (Buy 10 International stamps and pay for 9 while stocks last). | $22.50 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 1 October 2014 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Five gummed and three self-adhesive stamps |
| Denominations: | Gummed: 80c, $1.40, $2.00, $2.50, $3.00; Self-adhesive: 80c, $2.00, $2.50 |
| Stamps and first day covers designed by: | Lindy Fisher, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print Ltd, New Zealand by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours and metallic gold |
| Stamp size and format: | Gummed: 40mm x 30mm (horizontal); Self-adhesive: 30mm x 25mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper; Dispenser box stamps: Avery Dennison 210gsm B90 Kraft Back WLK5 Adhesive; Booklets: Tullis Russell 210gsm red phosphor PSA stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | Gummed: 14; Self-adhesive: die-cut |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks were 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 September 2015. |