NEW STAMP ISSUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26471, 27 May 1947, Page 9

NEW STAMP ISSUE

GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE

SPECIAL “ LIGHTHOUSE ” SERIES

Special to the Daily Times WELLINGTON, -May 26.

A new issue of special postage stamps for use by the Government Life Insurance Department will be introduced on August 1. Announcing this to-day, the Postmaster-General and Minister in Charge of the Government Life Insurance Department. Mr Hackett. stated that the new issue, which comprised seven denominations, each in two colours, was in the nature of a pictorial series depicting a number of Nc-w Zealand lighthouses as well as the famous Eddystone lighthouse in the English Channel. The full range of the new stamps, the lighthouses they depict, and the colours used, are as under: —id. Castlepoint. grey, green and scarlet; Id, Taiaroa, olive green and pale blue; 2d. Cape Palliser, dark blue and grey-black; 3d, Eddystone, mauve and pale blue; 4d. Stephen's Island, deep brown and pale orange; 6d. The Brothers, brown and turquoise blue; Is. Cape Brett, light brown and blue. Arrangements for the new issue were instituted by Mr J. W. Macdonald, who recently retired from the position of Government Insurance Commissioner,

and ail.the designs were prepared by Mr J. Berry, of Wellington, who has designed many other New Zealand stamps. The printing was carried out by the intaglio process by Bradbury Wilkinson and Co.. New Malden. Surrey, England. “To appreciate the significance of the new issue,” said the Minister, “it is desirable to recall briefly the history of Government Life Insurance stamps. Special stamps for the department were first issued in 1891, a lighthouse being incorporated in the original design, together with the words, ‘ State Security' and the letters, ‘ V.R.’ This design, with minor amendments, has been retained until now. The use of the stamps is limited to the prepayment of postage on correspondence posted by the Government Life Insurance Department for delivery within New Zealand. Members of the public, however, may purchase the stamps for collection purposes. “ Persons desiring the new stamps in unused condition will be able to purchase them at any branch of the Government Life Insurance Department or at the stamps branch, General Post Office. Wellington. The stamps will not be obtainable from post offices generally.”