charity sponsored by the sale of the health stamps<\/a>. In fact, it would be the only charity associated with the health stamps through the end of their run in 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChildren\u2019s Health Camps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand started running health camps for children in 1919<\/strong>. The first one was run by Dr. Elizabeth Gunn. The camp, and later several camps across New Zealand, had the following operational and systemic goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\nEach health camp lasted about three weeks. The New Zealand health stamps aided in their funding through 2018<\/strong>. The New Zealand Foundation for Child and Family Health and Development now manages the seven children\u2019s health camps operating today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNew Zealand Health Stamp Characteristics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEach New Zealand health stamp has certain characteristics<\/strong> that make it stick out against other postage stamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCountry Designation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every health stamp has \u201cNew Zealand\u201d printed<\/strong> on its face<\/strong>. It was always printed in a horizontal manner, although on a few stamps it was in a banner form.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHealth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every health stamp also has the word \u201cHealth\u201d printed<\/strong> on its face<\/strong>. This could be printed vertically, horizontally, or as part of the stamp image.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFee Designation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every health stamp has the postage amount<\/strong> and the amount of the total cost that was allocated to charity<\/strong>. For example, the first health stamp had a \u201cPostage: 1D\u201d designation on the left side of the stamp and a \u201cCharity: 1D\u201d on the right, with d being short for denarius, Latin for coin, and in this case meaning 1 penny. Every New Zealand health stamp indicates the breakdown in some manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnnual Image<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every health stamp has an<\/strong> authorized, annual image<\/strong> for any specific year or stamp<\/strong> run<\/strong>. This image was submitted by an official artist and approved by postal and government officials. Often, when the artwork was approved, an announcement was made about the artwork, designer and the annual stamp run.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen announcing the first health stamp, for example, even though the funds went to children\u2019s health camps, a postal official announced that part of the postal proceeds of the stamps would be spent on stamping out tuberculosis<\/strong>. While that certainly was probably an indirect result of the health camps, it was in no manner the obvious purpose of the stamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe images varied in popularity<\/strong>, which, while rarely affecting purchases, did affect the value the public placed on the stamps. A stamp with an image that was liked by the public was more likely to be collected, while an unpopular stamp might not sell as readily, but that affected how many were in circulation, which affects the value of the stamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy This Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
More than most stamps, the New Zealand health stamp value<\/strong> is tied to whatever run a particular stamp was part of. For example, the 1931 \u201cSmiling Boy\u201d stamps are worth more than most New Zealand health stamps because they are exceptionally rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\nExcepting the condition of the stamp (which in some cases only matters a little), New Zealand health stamp values are driven by what year they were printed in and how many were printed<\/strong>. This is different in that other factors like gum, cover, etc. are not as important as they might be with other types of stamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese do, however, factor into the overall value when comparing different health stamps<\/strong> from the same year<\/strong>. A Smiling Boy stamp that looks its age will be worth less than one that is in fairly good condition. Likewise, if the gum on the former stamp is in great condition but almost missing completely from the latter, the former will hold more value in that assessment category.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Much Are New Zealand Health Stamps Worth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are multiple layers and processes<\/strong> that help determine the value of your New Zealand health stamp<\/strong>. Each component helps establish the baseline value of a stamp. After that, intangible factors like price paid and desirability factor in.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGeneral Stamp Valuation Criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As with any stamp, several factors go into determining the collectability and value of a given New Zealand health stamp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRarity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
This pertains to how many stamps were<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe first two criteria<\/strong> are self-explanatory. If only a few stamps were printed, their prevalence on the stamp market will be limited, which could increase the value. Likewise, how many of the stamps were sold can also drive price.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, the<\/strong> 1931 \u201cSmiling Boy\u201d stamp<\/strong> had a normal print run<\/strong>, but was unpopular for a couple of reasons. That limited how many stamps were purchased.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIronically, its lack of popularity<\/strong> affects the final part of the rarity equation<\/strong>: How many are in circulation. While the stamp was not terribly popular, that lack of popularity made the stamp a rare find on the open market. Its rareness therefore affected its price far more than (and inversely as a result of) its popularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCondition<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
As with every stamp, its<\/strong> condition factors<\/strong> heavily into its price<\/strong>. If it looks like it just came from the Post Office, it will usually command a higher price than a stamp that looks like it has been in circulation for years. Stamps that are torn, wrinkled or otherwise damaged are usually valued at a lower rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere are three exceptions to this<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- : Stamps with postmarks, depending on multiple variables, can fetch higher prices than stamps without them.<\/li>
- : Some collectors want their stamps to show wear and tear.<\/li>
- : Some stamps are so rare that their condition doesn\u2019t matter.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Another factor in the condition equation is whether it is on an envelope<\/strong> (called a cover). If the cover contains historical information, it can render the condition of the stamp obsolete in the valuation equation. Valuable information can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\nPostmarks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
With stamps that have covers and some that do not, the<\/strong> postmark can affect the price<\/strong>. If the postmark ink blocks the stamp\u2019s design or image, it can detract from the value. Unusual cancellations like pre-automation and hand cancellations can increase the value of a stamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, stamps that have been \u201csocked on the nose<\/strong>\u201d are highly valued. That means the postmark is centered on the stamp, which makes that stamp unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther factors that can impact<\/strong> the assessment of a stamp\u2019s condition include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nAge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The older a stamp, generally, the more value it possesses to a collector<\/strong>. Modern stamps, for instance, are not usually worth much at all. Stamps that predate automation are usually more highly valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFace Value<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Stamps that cost more will usually have a higher value<\/strong> than stamps that were less expensive to purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNumber Of Stamps<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If a stamp is part of a block or sheet, it will command more value than a single stamp if all other things are equal. This is why you should never disconnect connected stamps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPurchase Price And Purchaser<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Finally, two factors that will affect the value of a stamp pertain to the purchaser and the stamp\u2019s purchase history. There are various ways to sell and purchase stamps. These include online, in stores, through private transactions, at auctions, etc. The value of stamps in these various scenarios differs from venue to venue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, a professional dealer will try and get a stamp for as little as possible because they want to<\/strong> make a profit reselling it<\/strong>. A collector will determine what they are willing to pay based on how much they want a specific stamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnline auctions can mean stamps are undervalued<\/strong> (and thus usually pulled from the auction), or, if the stamp is highly desirable, can sell at a higher price.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese all factor into the original purchase price, which can also drive stamp value. If a collector or dealer paid a lot of money for a stamp, they will place a higher price on selling it<\/strong>. In some cases, this can price a stamp out of the market of buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Value Of New Zealand Health Stamps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMore than most stamps, the image and run date<\/strong> on a health stamp matter<\/strong> in terms of the value collectors and dealers will put on that stamp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe following are some<\/strong> notable New Zealand health stamps<\/strong> that had unique characteristics that affected their overall perceived value. If your New Zealand health stamp is any of the following, you should have them appraised at an official stamp appraiser and get paperwork to certify its authenticity and value.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe potential value of each of these depends on the significance of the characteristic<\/strong> that makes them unique<\/strong>, or their role in the overall history of the New Zealand health stamp program. Each of these year\u2019s stamps are either rare, unique or flawed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1931 Red And Blue Boy Health Stamps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These two versions of the health stamps are the most famous<\/strong>. Because of their appeal, they often hold the most value for collectors<\/strong>. The stamps were created out of necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPostage was raised during The Great Depression<\/strong> to two pennies for private mail. This caused the need for a second stamp to meet the cost of postage. The value of the charity stamp was set by the 1929 Finance Act. This meant that, to authorize the printing of a second stamp, an amendment was required. The Postmaster General was authorized to print stamps in \u201cdenominations as he thinks fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nToday, the red and blue smiling boy stamps<\/strong> are prized and scarce. The reason for the rarity is that they just never caught on with the public, and because of that few were in circulation. In 2014, a set of smiling boy stamps (blue and red stamps) sold for over $400,000. Their value to collectors, however, has made them targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe design of the red and blue \u201csmiling boy\u201d stamps was widely derided<\/strong>. In fact, the design was deemed the \u201cworld\u2019s worst\u201d stamp by Australian Stamp Monthly. The stamps were unpopular and did not sell well, partly because of economic hardship caused by The Great Depression. This is why they are now so rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe smiling boy stamps are some of the most counterfeited stamps in philately<\/strong>. If you have one of these, getting it verified as authentic is a good idea. The counterfeiting is so prominent that many collectors and dealers will insist on seeing authentication paperwork before they will consider making a purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1932 Change In Wording<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In 1932, the \u201ccharity\u201d inscription on the New Zealand health stamps was dropped. This was because revenue from the stamps\u2019 sales was supporting the health camps exclusively<\/strong>. Since the proceeds were going to one specific cause (the children\u2019s health camps), relabeling the stamps with \u201cHealth\u201d seemed appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is where the \u201cHealth\u201d inscription originated. After 1931, Health appeared in some iteration on the stamp and often where the charity designation of the postal fee was located. Health stamps from that point on had one section that was labeled \u201cPostage\u201d and one that was labeled \u201cHealth.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe wording differed in terms of placement<\/strong> or how it was displayed, but it was always a prominent part of any year\u2019s health stamp. That label stuck with the stamps and was maintained until their last run in 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1939 \u2013 Two Stamps Were Issued<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another<\/strong> notable year for the health stamps<\/strong> was 1939<\/strong>, when, due to postage rate changes, two stamps were issued. This led to an overprint, where additional verbiage and a higher total cost was added to the official health stamp. An overprint is the stamping of additional imagery or information on top of the official stamp design.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn addition, 1939 marked the first year<\/strong> that two planned denominations of postage were printed<\/strong>. Prior to this, the only time two stamps were printed was the 1931 smiling boy stamps. After that, two values were printed with the exception of 1955, 1956, 1969 and 1971, when three values were printed. In 1940 and 1941, different color values were printed, much like what happened in 1939.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMiniature Sheets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Miniature sheets were printed from 1957 onward. These are sheets of multiple stamps that were adjacent to each other on a larger sheet of stamps. The 1957 version had two different sheets. Each of these sheets had six stamps, all of which had the same value. The miniature sheet contained the full set of stamps, including different values<\/strong>, from the 1970s onward.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSince 1996, the lowest value self-adhesive sheets<\/strong> have been issued, often with a different design than the circulation version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1959 Theme Change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
From 1931 through 1958, the theme for the health stamps had always been children and health-related topics. There had been exceptions, like the 1957 version of the stamp that features more grown-up themes, but for the most part, children had always been included on the face of the stamp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe thought process for the change was that a shift in theme would make the stamps more marketable to a wider audience<\/strong>. That was important because, while many people bought the stamps just to help the children\u2019s health camps, the appeal of the stamps varied and the type of purchaser was fairly static \u2013 parent-aged and older, and predominately middle class.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShifting to a more flashy or interesting type image marked a shift in the marketing of the stamps<\/strong>, with a focus on all ages and types of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1967 Pence To Cents Change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This was the year that the health stamp migrated from a pence denomination to cents. It was also the point that the theme was altered from birds to sports<\/strong>. The bird theme had been used since 1959.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1996 Child Restraint Flaw<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The 1996 artwork was changed after a print run when it was noticed that the child in the vehicle wasn\u2019t properly restrained<\/strong>. A new version with a properly restrained child was issued. Some of the incorrect restraint version, though, made it into circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese stamps are known as the \u201cTeddy Bear\u201d<\/strong> stamps because of a teddy bear prominently displayed in the artwork. The incorrect version of the stamp is incredibly rare and valuable. Most collectors consider that version to be the rarest New Zealand stamp in existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n