Four priceless Maori artefacts collected during Captain Cook's voyages of discovery to New Zealand were depicted on these Definitive stamps.
Issue information
Maripi - 11c
An intricately carved wooden knife edged with shark teeth. Reputed to have been used for cutting flesh - possibly human flesh - it may also have been used as a weapon.
Putorino - 12c
A carved flute with an unusual double tube played as a solo instrument or to accompany a song.
Wahaika - 13c
A sickle-shaped hardwood club used for jabbing in close combat.
Kotiate - 14c
A ceremonial form of another hand-to-hand weapon.
Stamp bulletin
This stamp issue first appeared in New Zealand Post Stamp Bulletin No. 16 in October 1976.
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/
Technical information
| Date of Issue: | 24 November 1976 |
|---|---|
| Designers: | A G Mitchell, Wellington |
| Printers: | Courvoisier, Switzerland |
| Stamp Size: | 24mm x 29mm |
| Sheet Size: | 100 stamps per sheet |
| Process: | Photogravure |
| Perforation Gauge: | 11.5 |
| Paper Type: | Granite, unwatermarked |