1959 Red Cross Concept Centenary
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Cat. |
Mint Unhinged |
Mint Hinged |
Fine Used |
3d |
World Map and Red Cross Flag |
112a |
$0.55 |
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$0.45 |
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$0.45 |
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First Day Cover - 3 June 1959 |
112b |
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$3.60 |
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… 3d (112a) |
While other countries issued commemorative Red Cross
Centenary issues in 1963, New Zealand issued a commemorative marking the
centenary of the birth of the idea of the Red Cross four years earlier with
a charity stamp that donated one penny to the Red Cross. The reason for
this was fairly straightforward - in 1959 the Red Cross needed funds
urgently and used considerable political pressure to get permission for the
stamp approved.
In June 1859, the Swiss businessman Henry Dunant
traveled to Italy to meet French emperor Napoléon III with the intention
of discussing difficulties conducting business in Algeria. When he arrived
in the small town of Solferino on the evening of June 24, he witnessed the
Battle of Solferino, an engagement in the Austro-Sardinian War. In a single
day, about 40,000 soldiers on both sides died or were left wounded on the
field. Henry Dunant was shocked by the terrible aftermath of the battle,
the suffering of the wounded soldiers, and the near-total lack of medical
attendance and basic care. He completely abandoned the original intent of
his trip and for several days devoted himself to helping with the treatment
and care of the wounded. He organised an overwhelming level of relief
assistance by motivating the local population to aid without
discrimination.
Back in his home in Geneva, Henry Dunant decided to
write a book about his experiences which he published and sent copies to
leading political and military figures throughout Europe. In addition to
recounting his experiences, he advocated the formation of national
voluntary relief organisations to help nurse wounded soldiers in the case
of war. He also called for international treaties to guarantee the
protection of neutral medics and field hospitals for soldiers wounded on
the battlefield.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, founded in 1863, is an international humanitarian movement whose
stated mission is to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for
the human being, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any
discrimination based on nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or
political opinions. The movement consists of several distinct but
affiliated organisations that are legally independent from each other, but
are united within the Movement through common basic principles, objectives,
symbols, statutes, and governing organs.
Bibliography
The Postage Stamps of New Zealand Volume IV
Edited by R. J. G. Collins FRPSNZ and C.W. Watts FRPSNZ
Published 1960 by The Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand Incorporated
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