New Zealand was one of the first countries in the world to put pictures of the countryside, birds, and animals on its stamps. These stamps became known as Pictorials, and the first were issued on 5 April 1898, selected from around 2,400 that had been entered into a public competition. At the time of issue, these stamps represented a departure from the almost universal use of portrait designs of monarchs or presidents. The stamps were all engraved, and their first issue printed by Waterlow and Sons, England, with later supplies being printed in New Zealand from new plates. At the time of issue, New Zealand used British currency, and the original face values of the stamps range from a half penny to two shillings. © 2023 NZ Post. All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.