WORLD’S WORST STAMP

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1932, Page 3

WORLD’S WORST STAMP

DOMINION HEALTH ISSUE. CRITICISM FROM OVERSEAS. “New' Zealand does not seem happy in its choice of designs for health stamps,” remarks a correspondent to the New Zealand Herald, who substantiates her opinion with criticism, which has appeared in the overseas Press. The criticism gains added point from the fact that the designs of the new set of ordinary stamps have been unfavourably received by many people. Writing in a Hongkong newspaper concerning the 1931 New Zealand health stamp, a philatelist says: “An other claimant has arisen for the honour of having the world’s worst stamp. This time it is New Zealand. Of this latest philatelic monstrosity the Australian Stamp Monthly says: Tn the sacred cause of charity two stamps have arrived which must be seen to believed . • Against a background, which we hope is not typical of New Zealand (although something equally unattractive, appears on tho Dominion’s new air mail stamp —so, perhaps, it is really true), appears the head of a curly-headed boy (or is it a marcelled young lady?) No, for the sake of New Zealand’s reputation for chivalry we must decide on the boy, for he is adorned with one of the most beautiful black eyes we have ever seen. “ ‘He is also a typical boy in the way his ears stick out, while one of these has undoubtedly suffered in the same bout as the eye. His teeth, appear to be intact, but there are distinct evidences of contusion of the upper lip and nose. Undoubtedly overflowing with animal spirit, our young bears a prominent label: Health.’” The correspondent to the Herald goes on: “The health stamps issued about two years ago gave many people the impression that this fair land vas overrun by tuberculosis and for that reason to be avoided. The present issue is certainly not one to be perpetuated, from an artistic point yiew.”