It's in the Post: The Stories Behind New Zealand's Postage Stamps

by Richard Wolfe

Stamps are more than just payment for postage. The best and most memorable are gems of graphic design, encapsulations of our history and a fascinating reflection of the mood of the country. In 25 chapters, each built around a theme, It’s in the Post places a stamp or series in its historical, political and social context, and brings to life the people associated with it. Richard Wolfe also celebrates the superb graphic design of many of our stamps—as with all good design, this often goes unnoticed—and pays tribute to the artistry and technical expertise involved in their production.

The most graphically interesting stamps were produced between 1855 and the introduction of decimal currency in 1967, and It’s in the Post focuses, for the most part, on this period. From the portraits of Queen Victoria from 1855 and 1874, through the colourful Pictorials, Health stamps, and images of war and peace, this book is a delightful, informative collection of cameos of our past. While it will be welcomed by anyone with a serious interest in stamps, it is aimed at all New Zealanders with an appreciation of history, popular culture and good design.

224 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Richard Wolfe is a writer for adults and children, and a freelance curator of exhibitions. With his wife, artist Pamela Wolfe, he has published three picture books for children. He was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards in 1998 and 2000. Wolfe's books and articles for adults document aspects of New Zealand's art, history and popular culture.