Story: Postage stamps

Pigeon-post stamps

Pigeon-post stamps

Great Barrier Island (Aotea) was the first place in New Zealand to have a regular airmail service, by pigeon post. In 1897 the first pigeongram winged its way from the island to Auckland. Soon two pigeon-mail companies were operating. The installation of an underwater telegraph cable to the island in 1908 ended the service. These 1997 postage stamps mark the centenary of the first flight. They are triangular, like the stamps made by the Great Barrier Pigeongram Agency in 1899.

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New Zealand Post
Reference: 1997 Centenary of the Pigeon-gram stamp issue

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Postage stamps - Different types of stamps', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/postage-stamp/32085/pigeon-post-stamps (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 20 Jun 2012