The Christmas 2016 stamp issue depicted the traditional nativity story, with a twist! As well as the gummed and self-adhesive stamps, the issue also included a festive advent calendar - read on to find out more.
Issue information
The beautifully illustrated stamps in this issue featured key characters from the nativity story: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, a shepherd and a wise man. Available as five gummed stamps as well as three self-adhesive stamps, they were perfect for the most popular sending time of the year. The gummed stamps came together on the miniature sheet to form a complete Christmas scene.
An Advent Calendar with a Difference
The nativity scene was expanded further on a very festive collectable - an advent calendar. Complete with a stable and animals, the advent calendar could be used to count down to Christmas day and behind each of the pockets you found a charming New Zealand Christmas illustration. Best of all, behind five of the pockets, were the five Christmas gummed stamps!
First Day Covers
These charming stamps were also available on three first day covers - one featured the five gummed stamps, one featured the three self-adhesive stamps and one with the miniature sheet affixed. Each first day cover made a beautiful addition to your Christmas stamp collection.
Self-adhesive Booklets
The self-adhesive stamps were also available in convenient booklets of ten. The $2.20 and $2.70 international booklets featured a ‘Buy 9 get 10’ offer, meaning you could save on your Christmas postage.
Product Listing for Christmas 2016
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Single Stamp | Single $1.00 'Baby Jesus' gummed stamp. | $1.00 |
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Single Stamp | Single $1.80 'Joseph' gummed stamp. | $1.80 |
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Single Stamp | Single $2.20 'Shepherd' gummed stamp. | $2.20 |
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Single Stamp | Single $2.70 'Mary' gummed stamp. | $2.70 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $3.30 'Wise Man' gummed stamp. | $3.30 |
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Single Stamp | Single $1.00 'Baby Jesus' self-adhesive stamp. | $1.00 |
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Single Stamp | Single $2.20 'Shepherd' self-adhesive stamp. | $2.20 |
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Single Stamp | Single $2.70 'Mary' self-adhesive stamp. | $2.70 |
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Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled miniature sheet. | $11.00 |
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First Day Cover | First day cover with five gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $11.50 |
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First Day Cover | First day cover with three self-adhesive stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $6.40 |
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Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with miniature sheet affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $11.50 |
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Self-adhesive Dispenser | Dispenser box containing 100 x $1.00 self-adhesive stamps. | $100.00 |
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Self-adhesive Booklet | Booklet containing 10 x $1.00 self-adhesive stamps. | $10.00 |
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Self-adhesive Booklet | Booklet containing 10 x $2.20 self-adhesive stamps. | $19.80 |
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Self-adhesive Booklet | Booklet containing 10 x $2.70 self-adhesive stamps. | $24.30 |
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Advent Calendar | You could use this festive advent calendar to brighten up your home and count down to Christmas. Behind five of the pockets you found the five gummed Christmas 2016 stamps. | $19.90 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 2 November 2016 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Five gummed and three self-adhesive |
| Denominations: | Gummed: $1.00, $1.80, $2.20, $2.70 and $3.30; Self-adhesive: $1.00, $2.20 and $2.70 |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Donna McKenna, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print Ltd, New Zealand by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Gummed: Four process colours; Self-adhesive: Four process colours plus red phosphor |
| Stamp size and format: | Gummed: 35mm x 34.55mm; Self-adhesive: 25mm x 30mm |
| Paper type: | Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper; Self-adhesive: Tullis Russell red phosphor PSA stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14.286 x 14.47 |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 1 November 2017. First day covers remained on sale until 1 January 2017. |