Wednesday, November 25, 2015

New Zealand Health Stamps 1947


The fountain was unveiled on 29 June 1893, and was erected in memory of Anthony Ashley-Copper, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, who was recognised as one of the greatest reformers of the 19th century.  He is remembered particularly for his noble work for the abolition of child labour.  In 1833 he introduced the Factory Act which forbade employment of young children in factories.
The sculptor was Alfred Gilbert who was knighted in 1932 and who died in 1934 at the age of 80.  The model who sat for the sculptor was an 18 year old Italian youth, Angelo Colarossi, who was employed by a firm of aircraft manufacturers in England. The proceeds of the 'Health' value of these Health stamps were donated to the Children's Health Camps movement.
The details of the two stamps are:-
(1d + 1/2d printed in Green) and (2d + 1d printed in carmine)
The figure of Eros is eight feet in height, weighs nearly three hundred-weight and was cast in an alloy of aluminium.  For safe keeping the statue was removed and stored during both World War I and II.  In June 1947 the figure was cleaned, a new and stronger bow fitted and it was replaced in its position above the Fountain.  Printed in green.

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