Stamps

Lot 829    SESSION 4 (4.30PM TUESDAY 29TH MARCH)    Stamps

Estimate $4,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

NEW ZEALAND, 1996 withdrawn Health stamp issues as a miniature sheet overprinted with the CAPEX 96 (International Philatellic Exhibition in Toronto Canada) overprint (normal type M/S cf.SG 2003a; Campbell Paterson (does not list the CAPEX overprint for withdrawn issue). MUH, unique? a most important M/S.

Originally purchased c.1997/8 with attached label to card for $4,500.

In mid 1996 the annual "Health" issue was printed and about to be issued by New Zealand Post. That issue consisted of the usual two stamps and a miniature sheet, all items with a charity surcharge.

The domestic letter rate 40 cents (+5 cents) value was at the very last minute discovered to have a major design fault. The stamp showed a baby child in a child restraint, alongside a Teddy Bear, who was wearing the car seat belt.
It is clear from the design that the child and teddy bear are in the rear seat of the car, and facing toward the front, i.e. the same direction as the driver. In New Zealand this is not permitted. It is required that infants in such car seats be facing to the REAR of the vehicle, so as to minimize impact and damage, in the event of an accident.

The design was amended at the last moment, and the original printing supposedly destroyed, the final issued design having no Teddy Bear, and no seat belt, so it was not apparent the child was facing in the "illegal" direction.
Amended design stamps were issued on June 5th 1996. It soon became apparent, due to an alert stamp collector, that at least some of the original "Teddy Bear" stamps had not been destroyed. A commercial cover was sighted, which still exists intact.

There was a sensation late 1997 when the Miniature Sheet of this issue, which contains two of the 40£ (+5£) values was offered for auction in the Netherlands. Not only one Miniature Sheet, but the same sheet with "Capex 96" overprint. All four stamps on both sheets were the "Teddy Bear" error.

These stamps and miniature sheets have an interesting and well documented track record. Best of all they have that very elusive quality that always makes for a popular variety - a catchy name! The "Teddy Bear" stamps will for some time remain the premiere post war New Zealand issue.