PICTORIAL STAMPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22098, 2 May 1935, Page 12

PICTORIAL STAMPS

NEW ISSUE IN AUCKLAND KEEN PUBLIC DEMAND MANY SETS PURCHASED The brisk inquiry made at post offices in Auckland on the occasion of the issue of the new pictorial series of JNew Zealand stamps yesterday emphasised the importance of the event in the public mind. Although no details of the number of stamps sold were available, it was apparent that the Post and Telegraph Department enjoyed substantially increased business, a condition which is expected to continue for a period. Officials at the chief post office agreed that the day was a profitable one. This was a desirable state of affairs from the point of view of custom, but there was also the consideration that the public now had available for use attractive stamps which would play a part in presenting national characteristics of New Zealand. Many of the public were seeking to buy the stamps at an early hour, and when the doors of tho chief post office opened a crowd quickly gathered attho stamp counter. Purchases were made eagerly, and throughout the morning- there was no abatement in the ctistom. While the demand was not as heavy in the afternoon, there was always a steady inquiry. Philatelists were naturally prominent. Many people bought complete sets of the stamps, and numbers went to the extent of buying several groups. One enthusiast was at the chief post office at 6.50 yesterday morning for the express purpose of obtaining the cancellation- of tho first stamp sold. It was done at 8 o'clock, and the man later possessed the cancelled stamp, which he claimed as actually tho first stamp sold. It was on an official "first day card" addressed to himself. It was apparent that the special pictorial envelopes issued free by the department for the occasion were much in use.

The supply of the new stamps, which were printed in England, is expected to last for a year, and it is proposed to print frosh issues in New Zealand. Old stamps will be collected and destroyed. The three special stamps of the denominations of halfpenny, penny and sixpence, which are to commemorate the silver jubilee of the King, will bo on sale on Tuesday. No. official advice has been received concerning the date of issue of the three New Zealand air mail stamps which will be issued in connection with the transtasman jubilee flight of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.