New Zealand 1970 Christmas Stamp 'Adoration of the Child - Correggio'

Name: New Zealand 1970 Christmas Stamp 'Adoration of the Child - Correggio'
Brand: helen
Availability: LimitedAvailability

New Zealand 1970 Christmas postage stamp featuring Correggio's painting of the Adoration of the Child

Ordinary (3/10)

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QUICK FACTS

DESCRIPTION

A postage stamp issued by New Zealand in 1970 for Christmas, featuring a reproduction of Correggio's 'Adoration of the Child'. The stamp is a standard rectangular shape with perforated edges, displaying colors typical of a printed image on paper. It has a stated value of '2½c'.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Christianity/Western ArtRenaissance to Modern Era

The use of classical religious art on postage stamps is a widespread practice globally, especially for Christmas issues, connecting postal services with cultural and artistic heritage.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Philately (stamp collecting), which involves the careful acquisition, organization, and study of stamps.
•The sending of Christmas cards and letters, for which such stamps would have been issued and used.

Meaning Through Time

Postal Use (early-mid 20th century)

Primarily a token representing pre-paid postage, celebrating a religious holiday, and sometimes carrying propaganda or national identity messages.

Collector's Item (late 20th century-present)

Valued for its historical context, artistic representation, and rarity within specialized philatelic collections, often appreciating in value among enthusiasts.

HISTORICAL STORY

Christmas stamps are a regular issue for many postal administrations worldwide, often depicting religious themes, winter scenes, or festive imagery. This stamp from New Zealand utilizes a classic Renaissance painting to celebrate the Christmas season, a common practice to link cultural heritage with postal history.

DID YOU KNOW?

Correggio's 'Adoration of the Child' (also known as 'Holy Night') is famous for its dramatic use of light, where the infant Jesus is the source of illumination, influencing Baroque painters.

The 2½ cent denomination reflects the postal rates of 1970 in New Zealand, before decimalization saw regular changes to currency and postage values.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

The stamp has a matte printed paper surface, typical of postage stamps. The edges show characteristic perforations from separation.

Weight & Feel

Extremely lightweight, typical of a single postage stamp, made of thin paper.

Condition

The stamp appears to be in reasonable condition, with intact perforations and no obvious major creases or tears. The image quality is clear, and the colors seem well-preserved for its age.