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Tuhinga 24: 139-158
ABSTRACT: The ‘Smiling Boy’ pair of New Zealand stamps, named after the youth depicted on each value, was issued in 1931. The stamps carried a 1d (one penny) premium on their postage to raise funds for the burgeoning health camp movement. They bridge the gap between their charity stamp predecessors and the Health stamps of the future. The article considers their design, aesthetics and iconography, locating the stamps within their political and cultural contexts at a time of economic depression. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa has significant holdings of ‘Smiling Boys’ material, including Royal Mint die proofs and official correspondence, as well as specimens of the stamps and the promotional poster. These are among the sources utilised in this paper.
KEYWORDS: ‘Smiling Boy’ Health stamps, philately, stamps, art, design, material culture, posters, children, health, history, Great Depression, health camps, New Zealand.