The school model PO, situated in an Auckland suburb, New Zealand, was run by a teacher for about 18 months at this time. It opened on 14 July, 1980. The model PO, situated in a classroom, charged for a prepaid internal mail run within the school and a run to the local EPSOM post office, for external mail.
There was an internal and an external mail system in the school. Each classroom had a mail box. The internal charge was 1/2c per item, but you had to buy two stamps for 1c. There was a mail run each morning clearing all the boxes. Mail was sorted into internal and external mail. The external mail was stamped and then taken to the local EPSOM post office by two children in the lunch hour.
All the lots below are available for sale.
Lot EMP01 Set of 6
First Issue of Stamps PRICE $9.95 sold out
These were the first issue, 17 November 1980. The 'stamps' were designed and printed by hand by the children. The stamps were printed as a result of the decision to introduce charges for the system. This was to help offset some costs.
Lot EMP02 First set in locks of 4 - PRICE $50 - The last block of 4 I have!
Lot EMP03 Set of 4 Second Issue 7 May 1981 PRICE $4.95 Limited number available
Lot EMP04 Internal Use, Pre Stamp Period (ie before 17 November 1980) PRICE $15
An early example of pre stamp era internal mail. Red cancel on black hand stamp, no charge was made.
There are 9 left, all similar to above.
Lot EMP05 Pre Paid Envelope - Mint PRICE $10
Unused cover with 1c black on red first issue stamp. A number of envelopes were produced in this pay as a sort of pre paid envelope. A few were used. This one is mint. They have bad rust on the flaps at the back, typical of this type of envelope and keep in mind the age. I would suggest the flaps be removed.
Lot EMP06 FDC of First set of stamps. 17 November 1980 PRICE $50
Second in importance to the FDC for the opening of the Model PO, which is no longer available.
Lot EMP07 First Day of Use of 'Kiwi Courtesy' sticker. PRICE $25
Various labels were used at the School Model PO on external mail during the time it was opened. They are now regarded as cinderella items and always add a bit of spice to an envelope. This was the first day of use for the ‘Kiwi Courtesy’ label. There were 24 items posted on this day, 20 of which would have had this label, they being numbered. This was No.6. There are also No's 17 & 20 available. The labels were used until they ran out.
Lot EMP08 FDC of the second issue of stamps 7 May 1981 (see lot S 03) PRICE $60
Although they were the second issue, the FDC commands a higher price than the first FDC due to the fact fewer covers were posted on the day.
Stocks of the original 1/2c black on yellow stamp used for internal mail began to run out during May 1981. The off cuts of the sheets were used to print this stamp as well creating two varieties. So 3 x 1/2c stamps were created in different colours to ensure supplies would not run out again. The new 10c was issued as a result of new charges but was rarely used.
1 sticker Full sheet of stickers
Lot EMP09 First Anniversary of Model PO 14 July 1981 PRICE $ 40 Some covers have the FULL sheet of 6 stickers on back PRICE $60
The overprint was made across 2 stamps. 127 items were posted on this day but only a small number were FDCs. The sticker on the back is ‘North Shore Philatelic Society Exhibition’ which was also cancelled.
Lot EMP11 Book Week Cover. The only one left PRICE $40
The school celebrated books by having a book week. The children designed their own covers. This was the one the teacher did as an example to show them and was posted along with theirs. Pre stamp era
Lot EMP14 FDC 1980 Health issue by NZ Post, posted through the Model PO PRICE $20
Lot EMP15 Save the Children Fund cover PRICE $40
The model PO was closed down in August 1981 and only operated on special occasions after that. This was one such occasion. This was a fundraising venture that the whole school took part in. The PO was reopened on the day of the school fair and raised $24 from the sale of covers.
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