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November 28th 2006. Seahorses.
Three stamps in a triptych and a mini-sheet were issued on November 28th 2006 which show Seahorses.
Seahorses belong to the family Syngnathidae. They are not widely seen as they are slow swimmers and tend to hide in coral reefs and seaweed. They range in size from half an inch to 14 inches long. They have a very large appetite and are constantly feeding. The birth of babies is unusual in that the female develops the eggs which are then transferred to a pouch on the male seahorse. The male then produces sperm which fertilizes the eggs inside his pouch. The male hatches the young seahorses, usually hundreds or sometimes thousands at a time. Most young ones are gobbled up by preying fish . The ones that survive have hidden themselves well amongst the crevices and plants of a coral reef.
The tail of a seahorse is very tensile and it is able to wrap it around plant stems or bits of coral to hold it fast. It also has the ability to change color and blend in with its surroundings.
The $2 stamp in the triptych (above left) prepays extra charges, such as additional weight. It shows the Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens). This is a large seahorse and can grow up to 14 inches long. It is found in the Pacific Ocean.
The $5 stamp in the triptych (above middle) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows the Spotted Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda). This seahorse is found on coastal reefs and estuaries of the Hawaiian Islands. It is widely spread from the Indian Ocean to most warm parts of the Pacific Ocean.
The $8 stamp in the triptych (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows the Pot-bellied Seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis). This seahorse is mostly found around Australia and New Zealand coastal waters.
The outer edges of the triptych are perforated (perf 12). The two vertical divisions between the 3 stamps in the triptych are rouletted (roulette 5).
The $8 minisheet (above) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows the same Seahorses, but in one design with no perforations or roulettes.
The special postmark for this issue shows the outline of a seahorse.
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS
Technical details of the stamps and mini-sheet:
Colors: $2, $5 & $8 stamps and $8 mini-sheet - Multicolored
Size: 102mm x 70mm (mini-sheet)
Stamps sheet size: A triptych of 3 across.
Perforation: Triptych - outer edges, perf 12. The two vertical divisions within the triptych are rouletted 5. Mini-sheet - imperforate.
Mini-sheet and triptych design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2006 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.
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