
New Zealand's postage stamps and postal history are a fascinating topic, and with a rich history spanning over 170 years, there's plenty to explore. The first postage stamp issued in New Zealand was the "Penny Black" in 1855.
The Penny Black was a significant milestone in New Zealand's postal history, marking the introduction of the adhesive postage stamp. It featured a portrait of Queen Victoria and was used for prepaying postage on letters.
New Zealand's postal system has undergone many changes over the years, with the introduction of new postal services and technologies. Today, the New Zealand Post is a modern and efficient service, offering a range of services to its customers.
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New Zealand Postal History
In 1901, New Zealand introduced one penny universal postage to any country willing to deliver letters. This innovative move not only reduced the cost of mailing letters within New Zealand but also made it more affordable for people to send mail to other countries.

The introduction of one penny universal postage was a bold move, as it required other countries to accept the lower postage rate. Australia, the United States, France, and Germany were among the countries that initially refused to accept such letters, fearing they would have to lower their own postal charges.
Despite initial concerns that Post Office revenues would fall, mail volumes increased sharply after the introduction of one penny universal postage. By 1902, any losses had been recovered, and the move proved to be a success.
Postage Stamps
New Zealand's first postage stamp was issued in 1855 and featured a portrait of Queen Victoria, but it was not used for postal services until 1862.
The first postal service in New Zealand was established in 1840, but it was a private service that charged high rates.
The introduction of the postage stamp revolutionized the postal service in New Zealand, making it more affordable and convenient for people to send letters.
New Zealand Exhibition Catalogue
The New Zealand International Stamp Exhibition Catalogue was published in 1955 by Auckland.
It's a paperback book with 96 pages, plus 20 additional pages and one extra page.
The catalogue is illustrated, which means it contains pictures to help identify and learn about the stamps.
It's a bit worn out, having been part of the National Philatelic Society Library.
You can expect to see a few small library marks on the pages.
The covers have some dust marks and a slight corner crease on the front cover.
There's also a short tear on the rear cover.
Despite its condition, the catalogue is in Good condition.
A later edition of the catalogue was published in 1960 by Laurie Franks Ltd. in Christchurch.
Second Type Postage Due Stamps
The Second Type Postage Due Stamps of New Zealand are a fascinating topic. The "Second Type" Postage Due Stamps of New Zealand were published by RPS of NZ in 1980.
This book is a comprehensive guide to the stamps, with 42 pages of information. It's a paperback with pictorial card covers, comb-bound, and illustrated.
The publisher of this book is RPS of NZ, based in Wellington, and the book is in Good condition, with some minor wear.
Universal Penny Postage

In 1901, New Zealand introduced one penny universal postage to any country willing to deliver letters, making international mail more affordable.
This innovative move halved the cost of mailing letters within New Zealand, a significant benefit for locals.
The introduction of universal penny postage was a bold move, but it paid off in the end.
Mail volumes increased sharply, and by 1902, any losses to the Post Office had been recovered.
Australia, the United States, France, and Germany refused to accept such letters, fearing they would have to lower their own postal charges to match.
Australasian Postal History
Australasian Postal History is a fascinating topic, and it's closely tied to the postage stamps and postal history of New Zealand. The two regions shared a common postal history, with the first stamps issued in 1855.
The first stamps issued in Australasia, including New Zealand, were printed by Perkins, Bacon & Petch in London. These stamps featured Queen Victoria's image and were used until 1867.
New Zealand's postal history is closely tied to its colonial past, with the country's first postal service established in 1840. This service was initially run by the New Zealand Company, which later became the Post Office Department.
New Zealand Overprints for Pacific Islands Began
New Zealand started overprinting its stamps with the names of Pacific island territories in 1913.
This marked a significant shift in postal history for the region.
The first overprints were applied to New Zealand stamps featuring King George V.
These stamps were used in Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
Over the next few years, more Pacific island territories were added to the list of overprinted stamps.
By the 1920s, overprints were being used in several island nations, including Niue, Tokelau, and the Cook Islands.
New Zealand's overprints played a crucial role in providing postal services to the Pacific islands during this period.
Australasian Wreck Mail
Australasian Wreck Mail is a fascinating topic within Australasian Postal History. The book "Australasian Wreck Mail" is a large hardback with a dustwrapper, and it's illustrated with many pictures. It has 206 pages in total.
This book was published in 1959 by Laurie Franks in Christchurch. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about wreck mail.
Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps: Australasia, 1788-1952, Vol. IV
This comprehensive reference book covers the history of postage stamps in Australasia from 1788 to 1952. The Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps, specifically Volume IV, is a valuable resource for anyone interested in this topic.
Published in 1962 by Robson Lowe in London, this book is a first edition hardback. It features 624 pages of detailed information, including illustrations. The book's condition is Good, with some minor signs of use.
The book's publication provides a unique perspective on the postal history of Australasia during this time period. Its detailed information and illustrations make it an essential resource for collectors and historians alike.
Pacific Islands Philately
The Pacific Islands have a fascinating philatelic history.
The Tokelau/Union Islands have been studied in a philatelic book, which is a great resource for collectors.
This book is a first edition, hardback, and comes with a dustwrapper.
It's a valuable collector's item, especially in Very Good condition.
The book is illustrated and contains 8 colour plates, making it a visually appealing addition to any collection.
It also has 289 pages of information, providing a wealth of knowledge for philatelists.
Postal Innovations
New Zealand was a pioneer in postal innovations, and one notable example is the introduction of stamp vending machines.
In 1905, New Zealand installed the world's first stamp vending machine at the General Post Office in Wellington.
This innovation made it easier for people to buy stamps, and it paved the way for more convenient postal services.
New Zealand's Postal Evolution
New Zealand's Postal Evolution was marked by a significant milestone in 1901 when they introduced one penny universal postage to any country willing to deliver it. This move halved the cost of mailing letters within New Zealand.
The introduction of this universal postage was a bold move, and some were concerned that Post Office revenues would fall as a result. However, mail volumes increased sharply, and by 1902, any losses had been recovered.
Australia, the United States, France, and Germany were hesitant to accept such letters, fearing they would have to reduce their own postal charges to match.
Sources
- https://www.hhsales.co.uk/books/british-commonwealth/new-zealand/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Postage_stamps_and_postal_history_of_New_Zealand
- https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/new-zealand-overprints-for-pacific-islands-began-in-early-20th-c.html
- https://www.philatelicdatabase.com/postal-history/the-evolution-of-the-penny-postage-in-new-zealand/
- https://www.motat.nz/collections-and-stories/stories/redressing-the-balance-a-brief-history-of-letter-balances-and-the-penny-post/
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