Single 2 1/2d 'Lake Wakitipu' gummed stamp

This version of the stamp featured a spelling mistake, ‘Wakitipu’ instead of ‘Wakatipu’. Due to this spelling mistake in the stamp, this was reissued on the 5th May 1898 with the correct spelling. Both stamps are considered as part of the 1898 Pictorials release. Wakatipu is the second largest lake in the South Island, after Lake Te Anau, and covers 293 square km. It lies at the southern end of the Southern Alps in Central Otago. Mount Earnslaw (at over 2,400 meters) is depicted in the background of the design, also illustrated, at the left, is New Zealand flax, and, at right, cabbage palms and toitoi. A sheep drover, Nathaniel Chalmers, is believed to have been the first European to sight the lake, arriving there with two Māori guides in 1853. © 2023 NZ Post. All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.