In 1977, the New Zealand Post Office found themselves in a situation that with the introduction of the 'Roses' definitive stamp issue, they could no longer supply commercial customers with stamps in rolls for use in stamp-affixing machines - the new stamp designs were too large to fit the machines.
Issue information
Initially supplies of the old 3c and 4c moth Definitive stamps (designed by E Mayo) were overprinted by the Government Printing Office by letterpress with 7c and 8c denominations and made up into rolls of 400 stamps. These varieties were issued in 1977. A 10c stamp, depicting a silhouette of the head of Queen Elizabeth II (designed by the New Zealand Post Office, Display Section), was issued the following year. The Postafix name associated with these stamps is derived from the Postafix automatic stamp affixing machine manufactured by Data Link Co, California, United States of America. 1c, 2c and 5c stamps, depicting a silhouette of the head of Queen Elizabeth II, were also produced in roll form for use in coin-in-slot stamp vending machines. With an increase in the postal rates during October 1977, these stamps were phased out and therefore only had a short life span of five months.
7c
Postafix provisional overprint on 3c Moth Definitive 18 April 1977. Created to fill need for 7c coils of stamps for 'Postafix" machines.
8c
Postafix provisional overprint on 4c Moth Definitive issued on 21 April 1977. Created to fill need for 8c coils of stamps for 'Postafix' machines.
1c
Queen Elizabeth II - left side of her head - in magenta on white background. Issued 13 June 1978. Created for coin-in-slot machines.
2c
Queen Elizabeth II - left side of her head - in orange on white background. Issued 13 June 1978. Created for coin-in-slot machines.
5c
Queen Elizabeth II - left side of her head - in brown on white background. Issued 13 June 1978. Created for coin-in-slot machines.
10c
Queen Elizabeth II - left side of her head - in blue on white background. Issued 3 May 1978. Created for 'Postafix' machines.
Technical information
| Date of Issue: | 18 April 1977 |
|---|---|
| Designers: | E Mayo, Christchurch and New Zealand Post Office, Wellington |
| Printers: | Harrison and Sons, England and Government Printing Office, New Zealand |
| Stamp Size: | 20mm x 24mm |
| Sheet Size: | 100 stamps per sheet |
| Process: | Lithography, letterpress (overprinting) |
| Perforation Gauge: | Moths : 13.5 x 13 ; Queens Head 1c - 5c : 13.75 x 13.25 ; Queen's Head 10c : 14.75 x 14 |
| Paper Type: | Harrison and Sons, chalk surfaced, unwatermarked |