Professor Terence Dennis is a man of many talents. He is a world famous and renowned pianist who has travelled the world as a recital partner supporting many notable performers including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa performing for her over 50 times. Also, once he had an association with rotary playing at a congress in Salt Lake City and was delivered to the stage by golf cart in front of 24000 candidates.His main subject of today’s presentation was all about early NZ stamps. Terence is a member of the Royal Philatelic Society of NZ and is also on the official committee for Te Papa expertising that stamps are genuine and issuing certification. He started collecting stamps at an early age and was able to regale his expertise of early NZ stamps providing a variety of interesting facts and anecdotes relative to the subject. Stamps were invented in England during the 1840s and originally the recipient paid a fee on receipt of the mail. As the stamps were invented in England they are the only country not to carry the name of the country printed on them but do have a very small bust of Queen Elizabeth in one corner. The first NZ stamp started in 1851. Sir George Grey, Governor of NZ at the time initiated the original printing plates from England in 1851 and an entire printing press, paper, ink and a set of London Print stamps were sent to NZ.The first issue printed here was in 1854 and were of Queen Victoria’s Bust created from the portrait of the then famous artist Chalon of Switzerland. The stamps were in 1d, 2d and a shilling denomination and because of their detail and colour considered to be the most beautiful stamp at that time. Other denominations were added 3d, 4d and 6d at a later date .Of interest to note the region to use the most stamps was Dunedin due to the 1860s gold rush. Terence had with him many interesting examples of stamps and printing plates which were of great interest to the members.
