Issued two and a half penny 'Adoration of the Magi (Dürer)' Christmas stamp

The oil painting that inspired this Christmas stamp is Albrecht Dürer's much-loved Adoration of the Magi (1504). It dates from the period between his trips to Italy, and was commissioned by Frederick the Wise for the altar of the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg, Germany. It has been in the Ufffizi, Florence, since 1792.

This is New Zealand's second Christmas stamp, and was issued as a result of the popularity of the 1960 stamp which reproduced the Adoration of the Shepherds, studio of Rembrandt (National Gallery, London). Dürer's less 'painterly' style and his jewel-like colours result in a more successful stamp. However, his distinctly Northern European minuteness of detail to some extent counts against it. The Sassoferrato Madonna in Prayer, used for the 1962 Christmas stamp, is New Zealand's first truly successful design in this area.

The printers, Harrison & Sons, London, were asked to submit revised proofs showing a greener tinge in the sky. It was also necessary to alter the value from 2d. to 2 1/2d. with the increase in postal rates. 20,856,962 stamps were issued.

See: D. E. G. Naish and K. J. McNaught, The Postage Stamps of New Zealand Vol. VI (Wellington: Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand Incorporated, undated), pp. 203-04.

Dr Mark Stocker, Curator Historical International Art                                                                  December 2016