 New Zealand

The first stamps were issued by New Zealand in 1855. These are of the Chalon Head type, a full view portrait of Queen Victoria after a portrait by Alfred Edward Chalon. The Chalon Heads were issued, until 1872, in a number of colour shades with different perforations and watermarks and on different types of paper, a domain for the specialist. All Chalon Heads are in the mid to very high catalogue value ranges. More common side view portraits of the Queen were issued in different frames from 1873. A first large set of pictorials was issued in 1898. Many of the issues in the classical era come in a range of varieties. In the modern era, New Zealand has issued a blend of stamps with themes of national interest and themes aimed at the collectors market. [source: StampWorldHistory]