UK£34.97
EU€49,97
US$64.97
JP¥7,500
EACH SET INCLUDES six different Fellowship of the Ring Maximum Postcards featuring key characters and scenes from the award winning ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ motion picture, with related gummed ‘LotR: FotR’ stamps and first day (04 Dec 2001) cancellation postmark. Now out of print (OOP), these limited edition commemorative Fellowship of the Ring Official Postcards were only available in New Zealand home of Middle-earth. Designed by Sacha Lees at WETA Workshop in Miramar, the Fellowship of the Ring Maximum Postcard set comes in a clear, archival-quality protective sleeve, and includes a full-colour NZ Post brochure containing extensive background information on both this exciting stamp release and the epic production it honours. See below for more about maximum cards.
A subsequent now OOP ‘The Two Towers’ set was issued in December 2002 and a third ‘The Return of the King’ set was released in November 2003 to commemorate ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movie trilogy.
Postcard: Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen) find solace in Rivendell, Stamp: Walking in the garden of Isengard, the wizard Gandalf the Grey tells Saruman the White (Christopher Lee) that the long lost One Ring has been found, unaware that Saruman has succumbed to its evil lure and also means to obtain it.
Postcard: Elf Queen Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) before the Mirror, Lothlórien, Stamp: The Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), founded and became Queen of Lorien during the earlier War of the Ring. Offered the One Ring by Frodo, she refused knowing too well its ability to corrupt even the most pure of heart.
Postcard: Shocked patrons in the Inn of the Prancing Pony, Bree - Frodo (Elijah Woods) has just disappeared into thin air, Stamp: Frodo Baggins - The Ringbearer, accompanied by his good friend Samwise ‘Sam’ Gamgee (Sean Astin) enjoys an ale while nervously awaiting the return of Gandalf from Isengard.
Postcard: After being wounded by a Morgul knife while escaping the pursuing Ringwraiths, Frodo awakens at Rivendell, unaware of having been on the brink of death, Stamp: The Guardian of Rivendell stands silent vigil.
Postcard: A tender moment between Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and immortal Elven princess Arwen Undómiel (Liv Tyler) at Rivendell. Daughter of Elrond, and grandchild of Galadriel, Arwen was a mere 3000 years young when Estel and she pledged their love for one another, Stamp: The mysterious Strider (Viggo Mortensen) watches Frodo and company from the shadows in the Inn of the Prancing Pony, Bree. He’s later revealed to be Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and rightful Heir of Gondor.
Postcard: Balin’s Tomb - The Fellowship stands its ground in preparation for an overwhelming attack, Stamp: Boromir (Sean Bean) of Gondor blows the ancient Horn of his people to warn of a savage Uruk-Hai raiding party led by the huge Orc, Lurtz. Boromir died bravely while defending Pippin and Merry, shortly after Frodo left The Fellowship at Amon Hen to strike out for Mordor alone.
Maximum Cards: Picture postcards which have an illustration relating to the stamp affixed, and a postmark on the picture side of the postcard. The three elements - postcard illustration, stamp and post mark relate but are not identical. Reverse (shown at right) has standard message and address sections, and postage paid imprint over a map of the Fellowship’s progress.
Fellowship of the Ring postcards and stamps have been postmarked with a specifically-designed cancellation that was only used for that day and issue. The cancellation mark 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’. First Day issues are very collectable since they are limited in nature, and hard to obtain after issuance. This issue was only released in New Zealand to commemorate Peter Jackson’s ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ and sold out quicker than anticipated. Approximately 10,000 Fellowship Maximum Card sets were issued by NZ Post.
Additional Info: Maximum Cards are unaddressed. Technical details are available. A second ‘The Two Towers’ set was issued in December 2002 and a third ‘The Return of the King’ set was released in November 2003 to commemorate the Middle-earth movie trilogy.
