New Zealand Post will issue 4 stamps and 1 miniature sheet on 11 January 2017 to commemorate the lunar new year which will be the Year of the Rooster, apparently the tenth in the 12 year cycle.
The designs of the set, by Asiaworks, are similar in style to those of other Lunar new year issues released by New Zealand Post in recent years which means the issue is somewhat unexciting and repetitive and I suppose we have to put up with stamps of similar design style for a total of 12 years by the end of which I imagine collectors of New Zealand stamps will be thoroughly bored with the series. The combined face value of the set and miniature sheet is NZ$15.40c. Rating:- *.
But that's not all! Those with a wealth similar to that of Trump can also buy a series of gold foil miniature sheets if they are so inclined. There are 3 in total which are on sale from 1 December 2016. The first, released in a limited edition of 103, is a "large" (39cm x 27cm) 24 carat 99.9 gold foil miniature sheet to be sold for the princely sum of NZ$560.
If the price of that's too strong for you then there's an 18cm x 10cm version (again 24 carat 99.9 gold foil) which will be on sale for a trifling NZ$188 and, for good measure, there is a third item in the form of the same miniature sheet but with the individual stamps contained in it printed in colour and sold for a mere NZ$288. All 3 items are, you will be relieved to know, sold in protective frames for display purposes. The total cost of these additional miniature sheets is NZ$1036. I am not sure if they are technically valid for use as postage. The sheets are contained in display frame - so that's alright then. Rating:- 0.
India Post issued 2 stamps and 1 miniature sheet on 14 November 2016 to commemorate Children's Day. Rating:- ***.
Malta Post issued a set of 3 Christmas stamps on 18 November 2016. The set was designed by Joseph Pulo and lithographed by Printex and perforated 13.5 x 14. Rating:- ***.
This week's paraphilatelic products released by the dreadful Stamperija include items with the name of Sierra Leone printed on them - 10 "sheetlets" each containing 4 different "stamps" and 10 accompanying "miniature sheets'. Each sheetlet and miniature sheet, with a stated "date of issue" of 29 August 2016, bears the inscription "Fauna and Flora of The World", even the items depicting Father Christmas and children who are clearly not Sierra Leonean and who probably have not even heard of the country. Presumably Father Christmas is an example of Fauna rather than Flora. Whilst I'm a great believer that stamp collectors should be allowed to spend their money on whatever they like without criticism it does sadden me that this stuff finds a ready market. Rating:- 0.
There are other items called "LUCKY NUMBERED" of the Rooster from New Zealand. Limited Edition of 25 at NZ$ 1888 (yes, 3 eights after the one) each. Check the webshop and pick your lucky number, if it is available. There are some numbers sold. Regards. Carlos.
ReplyDeleteDear Carlos, thank you. I had not noticed the lucky numbers items. If I were going to spend the equivalent of NZ$1888 on stamps I think I would be buying an older more classic item for my collection. Where do the marketing people get their ideas from?
DeleteBest wishes.