1999 LORD HOWE ISLAND Zemail Block of 4
ZEMAIL stamps depicting unique marine and bird life in a mint unhinged (MUH) BLOCK of 4.
Issued only for local postage delivery on the island – essentially a courier service in an electric van, especially for those unable to pick up their mail from the local post office when it arrives. Hence the name Zemail – Zero Emission Mail!
Lord Howe Island postal history has soared in popularity in recent years. Since it is such a small island with only a few hundred people allowed at any time, commercial mail to and from this destination is comparatively scarce. Qantas flights are limited (so are the airline baggage restrictions!) So grab this while you can before catalogue prices drift upwards again.
The island, which lies in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie in New South Wales, is the remnant of an extinct shield volcano that last erupted about seven million years ago. Originally 30 kilometres in diameter, the crescent-shaped island is now much reduced to just 14.55 square kilometres and dominated by two basalt peaks, the remains of lava flows that once filled a large volcanic caldera. The world’s largest volcanic stack, Ball’s Pyramid, which lies 20 kilometres south-east of the island, is a remnant of a vent of the same volcano.
Lord Howe Island boasts a variety of unique flora and fauna – some of which are depicted on this issue. Today it is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and is the world's southernmost true coral reef. About 75% of the terrestrial part of the property is managed as a Permanent Park Preserve, consisting of the northern and southern mountains of Lord Howe Island itself, plus the Admiralty Islands, Mutton Bird Islands, Balls Pyramid and surrounding islets. The property is located in the Tasman Sea, approximately 570 kilometres east of Port Macquarie. The entire property including the marine area and associated coral reefs covers 146,300 hectares, with the terrestrial area covering approximately 1,540 hectares.
I also have for sale similar blocks with some selvedge attached. If that's what you'd prefer when you purchase, then just let me know.
Interested in larger blocks or part sheets? Contact me to organise a listing (I just haven't got around to photographing them yet!).
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