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From:
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited
Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington Cousins, Alfred E., Postage Stamp Die Engraver, Die Sinker, Medallist, Copper and Brass Plate Engraver, National Chambers, Grey Street, Wellington. Private residence, 82 Taranaki Street. Mr. Cousins was born in Jersey, and served an apprentice-ship to Mr. Samuel Stevens, engraver, Featherston Street, City Road, London. He arrived in Wellington in 1874, per ship “Conflict,” and was employed at his trade successively by Mr. R. Burrett for eighteen months, Messrs. Lyon and Blair for six years and six months, and for Messrs. Bock and Elliott for a year-and-a-half. On the retirement of the latter, Mr. Cousins joined Mr. Bock, under the style of Bock and Cousins, which partnership continued for over six years, during which time Mr. Cousins engraved five of the large beer duty stamps, a set of four postage dies for Tonga, with the profile of King George in each, and a set of postage stamps for Samoa, with a cocoa nut palm in the centre. In July, 1889, Mr. Cousins commenced in business solely. He engraved six postage dies for the Government Insurance Department, bearing a lighthouse scene. His design for a twopence-halfpenny stamp secured the bonus, and he was then employed to engrave the die for this and for a fivepenny stamp. He was afterwards entrusted with the engraving of a new twopence-halfpenny stamp for Samoa, with King Maletoa on its face, taken from a photograph, and also a fivepenny bearing the Samoan flag. The five new Tongan and five new Cook Island stamp dies were executed by Mr. Cousins, and bore a three quarter face of King George and Queen Makea respectively. The one pound New Zealand postal note is also from Mr. Cousins' design and graver, for which he secured a bonus. It was cut on a large steel die in relief, and the department was highly pleased with the work. The three-halfpenny die for the new letter card and the new halfpenny postage die with a representation of her Majesty, taken from the last issue of coinage, are Mr. Cousins' latest productions, and these have excelled his previous work. Mr. Cousins has a splendid collection of specimeus of arms, crests, monograms, and medals, which he has executed, including a very fine New Zealand arms for the Premier, and a medal for the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition. He is competent to undertake every class of work pertaining to his trade, and has a complete plant for the purpose. |