This stamp, issued for the Canterbury Centennial in 1950, shows the statue of Canterbury founder John Robert Godley sculpted by Thomas Woolner. The statue was imported from Britain and erected in 1867; it was the first public memorial in New Zealand. Its unveiling was attended by a crowd of more than 2,000 people. The statue's fortunes were mixed: it was moved from its original position in front of Christchurch Cathedral to make room for a tram shelter and public toilets in 1918 but was restored to its original place in 1933. After the February 2011 earthquake the figure toppled from its pedestal and was seriously damaged.
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New Zealand Post
Reference:
1950 Canterbury Centennial stamp issue
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