Yachts, birds on new stamp issues

Press, 10 January 1987, Page 11

Yachts, birds on new stamp issues

Stamps designed as a tribute to New Zealand’s participation in various yachting races, in particular, the America’s Cup, and two new bird postage stamps will be released by the Post Office on February 2 to mark the postage rate increase on the same day. Four “Blue Water Classics" stamps capture action from the Southern Cross Cup (40c), the Admiral’s Cup (80c), the Kenwood Cup ($1.05) and the America’s Cup ($1.30). They will also be available with an unaddressed First Day Cover, costing $3.75. New Zealand yachts have competed with distinction in all the competitions featured in the “Blue Water Classics stamp issue. The stamps were designed by Mr Rod Proud. They will remain on sale at Post Office branches until April 4, unless stocks are exhausted earlier. Stamps can also be bought from the Philatelic

Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui, and Philatelic sales centres until April 29, 1988. Two other new stamps featuring endangered New Zealand birds will also be released to coincide with the postage rate increase. A blue duck appears on a 40c stamp, and a brown teal on a 60c stamp. The

denominations match new inland surface and airmail rates, The blue duck is unique to New Zealand, where it is also known as the whio. Once widespread throughout the country, the species has gradually declined in numbers and is now found only in a few forested mountain areas on the North and South Islands. The brown teal is New Zealand’s rarest waterfowl. In spite of being a protected species since 1921, the bird, also know as pateke, has now disappeared from most of the country. Northland is the last main habitat for the species, although there is a small population in Fiordland. An unaddressed First Day Cover is also available for the issue, costing $l.ll. The stamps and the cover were designed by a well-known bird painter, Janet Marshall, of Stratford.