The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the second film in The Hobbit trilogy, created in New Zealand by our very own Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson. The movie promises to take the world by storm and these official stamps are the perfect accompaniment to this epic film.
Issue information
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous Mirkwood Forest.
After escaping capture by the dangerous Woodland Elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all – a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself – the Dragon Smaug.
This official range of stamps from New Zealand Post features well known characters from the first film, as well as some popular new additions. As well as capturing key scenes from the film, the stamps reflect New Zealand as the home of Middle-earth, and promise to be highly sought-after collectables.
For definitions on stamp products and terms that you may come across in this stamp issue click here.
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 1 November 2013 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Six gummed and six self-adhesive |
| Denominations: | 70c, $1.40, $1.90, $2.10 and $2.90 (gummed and self-adhesive) |
| Designed by: | Stamps and Collectables Business, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Gummed: Southern Colour Print by offset lithography; Self-adhesive: Australia Post Sprintpak, Australia |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours plus clear spot overgloss (self-adhesive stamps have phosphor screen) |
| Stamp size and format: | Gummed: 50mm x 25mm (four vertical, two horizontal); Self-adhesive: 37mm x 26mm (four vertical, two horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper; Self-adhesive: Avery Dennison B90 Kraft Back WLK5 stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | Gummed: 14.4 x 14; Self-adhesive: die cut |
| Period of sale: | The stamps for this issue were removed from sale on 31 October 2014. Other collectables in this issue will remain on sale until further notice. |
