The Peace Issue was issued on 1 April 1946 to celebrate peace after the Second World War.
The 1d and 2d values were printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co in sheets of 240 (12 rows of 20) and perf 13½ x 13.
The 1½d was in sheets of 160 (16 rows of 10) and the 1/- in sheets of 120 (6 rows of 20); both were perf 14 x 15.
The others were perf 13½ and printed by Waterlow in sheets of 120 (15 rows of 8) except for the 8d (8 rows of 15).
They were watermarked multi NZ and star (sideways on the 1½d).
The total numbers printed are given below. The numbers of the 1d, 2d, 6d and 8d values subsequently overprinted for use in the New Zealand Dependencies are given in brackets.
½d: 9,499,960
1d: 110,000,000 (2,160,000)
1½d: 4,500,000
2d: 144,000,000 (2,160,000)
3d: 12,499,920
4d: 4,7500,000
5d: 7,999,920
6d: 8,749,920 (1,440,000)
8d: 6,999,960 (1,440,000)
9d: 3,249,960
1/-: 4,500,000
They were withdrawn from sale on 30 June 1948.
Plate blocks
The 1d and 2d values were printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co.
The 1d was issued with plate numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
and the 2d with numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
The 1½d and 1s 0d values were printed by Harrison. Both were issued with plate numbers 1A and 1B.
The other values were printed by Waterlow and
the plate numbers did not appear on the printed sheets.
Rudder retouch on the 3d
normal
rudder retouch
There were two centre plates for the 3d.
The back of the rudder in the flying boat is normally incomplete, but has been strengthened in one impression in each of the two centre plates. This occurs in Row 2/4 in centre plate 42883 and at Row 3/2 in centre plate 42796.
In the retouch example there are also extra blue dots to the left of the rudder
showing that it is the example from plate 42883.
Postal Use
Cover from Hastings to Holland postmarked on 8 February 1947 and franked with the 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d and 6d values to make up the required air mail postage of 1s 8d.
The mail was flown to to the UK by the Empire service (cost 1s 6d) and the onward air transit to Holland cost 2d.
Second cover from Hastings to Holland postmarked on 3 March 1947 and franked with all the other values (½d, 1d, 1½d, 8d, 9d and 1s) together with the 1946 Health issue.
The total franking was 2s 11d.
Cannot see any postal reason for the extra 1s 3d.
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The above information is taken from The Postage Stamps of New Zealand Vol 2, published by the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand in 1950. All scans were made by the author.