Original designs (pencil sketches) for pictorial definitive stamps

item details

NameOriginal designs (pencil sketches) for pictorial definitive stamps

ProductionEileen Mayo; designer; 1969; New Zealand

Classificationdesign drawings

Materialspaper, graphite pencil

Materials SummaryPencil sketches and notes on paper

Techniquesdrawing

DimensionsImage: 40mm (width), 50mm (height)

Registration NumberPH006783

Credit lineThe New Zealand Post Museum Collection, Gift of New Zealand Post Ltd. 1992

Overview

These stamp designs are by the artist Eileen Mayo (1906-1994). Between 1969 and 1978 a remarkable 12 sets of Mayo’s stamps were issued by the New Zealand Post Office, with a further 3 sets submitted by Mayo but not printed. Mayo’s stamp designs were often images of flora and fauna, or of events in New Zealand’s history. With their striking use of colour, line and composition, they highlight her impressive skills as an illustrator and designer.

Eileen Mayo was born in Norwich, England, in 1906. After studying in London at the Slade School of Art and the Central School of Arts and Crafts, she worked prolifically as a printmaker, painter and illustrator. Eileen Mayo emigrated to Australia in 1952, before moving to New Zealand in 1962. She lived in Aotearoa for the rest of her life, continuing her work as an artist and printmaker.