The tale of Christmas captured in stamps

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New Zealand Post's complete 2005 Christmas stamp issue presents the nativity scene in all its wonder.

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The tale of Christmas captured in stamps

New Zealand Post’s 2005 Christmas stamp follows a long tradition of celebrating the joy of Christmas, by presenting scenes from the ancient yet enduring story of the birth of Jesus.

Stamps General Manager Ivor Masters said that he was delighted to present the beautiful series of Christmas stamps, which when joined together depict the full nativity scene in all its wonder.

“Christmas stamps have been issued by New Zealand Post every year since 1960, and the nativity has been a consistent theme over this period.

“Earlier Christmas issues presented images by the great European artists, such as Rembrandt and Durer. This year’s stamps, designed by Aucklander Anton Petrov, are a great example of how a local and contemporary designer can capture the wonderful imagery and rich colouring for which traditional nativity scenes are so renowned.”

The baby Jesus graces the 45-cent stamp, pictured on a straw-lined crib in the glorious reds and golds that so epitomize the festive season. This is followed by the 90-cent stamp featuring Mary and Joseph, who had been forced to travel 160 kilometres from Nazareth to Bethlehem immediately prior to the birth.

The $1.35 stamp depicts a shepherd, and the $1.50 the three wise men, who also journeyed a considerable distance to celebrate the baby’s birth. Finally the $2.00 stamp displays the star of Bethlehem, an enduring symbol of Christmas.

The Christmas stamps and first day cover were printed by Southern Colour Print. They are available from New Zealand Post retail outlets, regional Stamps Centres, the Stamps Centre in Wanganui and the website www.nzpost.co.nz/stamps, from 2 November 2005.

ENDS

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