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In the second part of our new monthly series showcasing stamp displays and collections, we take a

look at Alexander McCulloch’s display of ‘Pictorial Issues of New Zealand 1960 - 1970’ which was

awarded a Large Vermeil medal at Autumn Stampex 2015

Readers’ stamps

58 FEBRUARY 2016 http://www.stampandcoin.co.uk

New Zealand pictorials

in association with the Association of British Philatelic Societies

Alexander McCulloch

How long have you been collecting

stamps? Sixty years

What attracted you to this subject?

When I was nine years old my father

bought me a bag of kiloware, 3lbs

for 9/- (45p), and that is how I got

hooked. I collected all countries but it wasn’t long before the

Commonwealth countries attracted me and so I concentrated

on these countries. I soon realised that this was too large an

area and so I cut down to a few, Canada, Australia and New

Zealand but mainly Australia. I did collect Pitcairn Island

having stopped at the Island on my way across the Pacific

by ship in 1965. However, when the Island started printing

large numbers of stamps I stopped collecting them. I find all

the different papers, gums, perforations, watermarks, stamp

colours, together with all the many errors and varieties,

interesting and I found that New Zealand was especially

interesting and in the 1980s the stamps were reasonably cheap.

What is your favourite item in the collection?

In my 1935 collection the Capt. Cook 2/- first watermark plate

block of six showing no falling coconut error (R 8/2). This error

occurred shortly after the issue was first issued. It is therefore

thought that this might be a plate proof perforated by mistake

similar to the GV1 1/3 make ready proof.

Which item was most difficult to find?

The 2½d / 3d plate block 18 on the narrow overprint

setting. In theory there are only three blocks known and I

hunted for twenty years for this item as I felt it was essential

to complete the group of four abnormal plate blocks. I

already had three of them and the complete group is more

satisfying for an exhibition.

What advice would you give to fellow collectors?

If you are a beginner collect many countries to start with. Quite

quickly you will find that certain countries or themes attract

you more than others and so you concentrate on building these

areas. You should always buy stamps in the best condition you

can afford. A torn stamp will always be a torn stamp no matter

how cheap it is and it will always jar in your collection.

If you exhibit stamps always listen to what the judges say after

the competition. They are not criticising your exhibit but trying

to help you to improve it. Go to a judging seminar and you will

be surprised at what you will learn. ‘Butter making’ issue of 1960 with the yellow colour missing

Yellow colour printed on

the bottom selvedge

Errors from the 1960 pictorial issue

including 1d missing brown colour

p58 Reader stamps.indd 58 21/12/2015 11:49