A set of six First Day Covers with Miniature Sheet stamps were issued by NZ Post to coincide with 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' motion picture. All six envelopes feature the same elven army design and were only available as a set. Released as part of the Dec. 4, 2001 stamp issue, they are out of print. Somehow the proofreaders missed this on the envelope's reverse; the cover image is erroneously described as 'A Ringwraith - servant of the Dark Lord Sauron' when it would be more appropriately entitled 'Elven Infantry prepare to do battle'. Click here for additional information about Miniature Sheets and First Day Covers. Two definitive FDCs featuring gummed and self-adhesive sets were also issued.
Both the Stamps and First Day Covers were designed by Sacha Lees at Weta Workshop in Miramar, Wellington and approved by the film's director, Peter Jackson. As with all the New Zealand Post 'The Lord of the Ring' official philatelic issues, it was licensed by New Line Cinema, and released with their blessing to commemorate this mostly "Kiwi" production.
Miniature Sheet First Day Covers
actual size: 4 7/8 H x 8 1/16" W; 120 x 205 mm |
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| Each of these FDCs envelopes features an Elf army battle design affixed with one of six 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' miniature sheet stamps with first day cancellation postmark. |
Miniature Sheets: Fellowship of the Ring
actual size: 2 1/2 H x 4 1/2" W; 65 x 115 mm
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The wizard Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen) tells Saruman the White (Christopher Lee), that the long lost Ruling Ring of the Dark Lord has been found, unaware that Saruman also means to obtain it. Abroad, the dark forces of Sauron in the sinister black-cloaked shape of the Ringwraiths, search for it. |
The Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), founded and became Queen of Lorien during the War of the Ring. Although offered the One Ring by Frodo, the Elf Queen refused knowing too well The Ring's power to corrupt even the pure at heart. |
Frodo Baggins - The Ringbearer (Elijah Woods), accompanied by his good friends Sam Gamgee (Sean Astin) and Pippin - Peregrin Took (Billy Boyd) enjoy an ale in the Inn of the Prancing Pony, while nervously awaiting the arrival of Gandalf the Grey. Frodo causes quite a commotion with his sudden 'disappearance' in front of the assembled villagers. |
After being near mortally wounded by a Morgul knife while escaping the pursuing Ringwraiths, Frodo awakens at Rivendell, unaware of having been on the brink of death. Now safe under the protection of the Elves, Gandalf informs him that the Council of Elrond and several old friends including his uncle Bilbo (Ian Holm) await. |
The mysterious stranger, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) son of Arathorn, watches Frodo and company from the shadows in the Inn of the Prancing Pony. One of the secretive band of Rangers who roam the wild lands, he goes by the name of Strider but is later revealed to be Dunedain, Chieftain of Arnor and of royal decent. |
Boromir of Gondor, son of Denethor II, (Sean Bean) blows the ancient Horn of his people to warn of a savage Uruk-Hai raiding party. Boromir's disregard for The Ring's corrupting power was to be his downfall. He valiantly gave his life defending Pippin and Merry, shortly after Frodo left The Fellowship to strike out for Mordor on his own. |
Miniature Sheets: Stamps displayed in an attached illustrated panel. Miniature Sheets portray the origin of each stamp image, which are derived from key scenes and moments in the corresponding 'The Lord of the Rings' motion picture.
First Day Covers: Pictorial envelopes which are issued and stamped with a specifically-designed cancellation stamp that is only used for that day and issue. Cancellation stamp for these First Day Covers is a stylized Eye of Sauron encircled by the words 'The Fellowship of the Ring, First Day of Issue, 4 December 2001, Stamps Centre Wanganui New Zealand'.
All digital photos and images courtesy of Agitprop Associates |
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