A race between small yachts, set against a typical New Zealand coastal scene with the sun's rays prominently radiating from the top right-hand corner, was depicted on the 1951 Health stamps.
The yachts featured on these stamps are of the Takapuna class, a special New Zealand design, with a specified length of 12 feet 6 inches, beam of 5 feet and a mast height of 12 feet 7 inches. They are of the V-bottomed type and the sides of the hull from the deck to the waterline are almost vertical. The rig is limited to a mainsail and spinnaker. This class competed for the Cornwell Cup, a trophy donated in memory of John Travers Cornwell VC killed in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The age of the two crew was restricted to under 19 years of age and their combined weight to under 17 stone. The proceeds of the 'Health' value of these Health stamps were donated to the Children's Health Camps movement.
(1 1/2d + 1/2d) Yachting race for the Cornwell Cup of the Takapuna Class on red background with yellow rays of sunshine.
(2d + 1d) Yachting race for the Cornwell Cup of the Takapuna Class on dark green background with yellow rays of sunshine.