NEW ZEALAND (2022)- Historic Ships (4v & Sheet)

Much of New Zealand’s early history is interconnected with stories about encounters at sea. Trade and exchange, voyaging and migration, settlement and interactions between Māori and Pākehā were centred around the ocean. Each of the four stamps featuring paintings created by Sean Garwood in 2021 depict important historic scenes.

In this stamp issue, each maritime scene offers a snapshot of early 19th-century life in this country.

Depicted in the stamps is an 1843 trading scene in Cloudy Bay near Nelson, an 1852 whaling expedition on American whaling vessel the Charles W. Morgan, settler ship the Mataura shown navigating rough seas and the Felicity and a fleet of sailing vessels in what was known then as Blind Bay (now Tasman Bay or Te Tai-o-Aorere).

Together the stamps provide a snapshot in time, accurately depicting early 19th century waka, ships and boats and offering a fascinating glimpse into Aotearoa New Zealand’s past.