News
17 May 2002
Special Stamp on Beijing-Kowloon Through Trains will be issued
The Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping-chuen, announced today (May 17) that a set of special stamps on Beijing-Kowloon Through Trains will be issued on June 9 (Sunday).
The launch of the Beijing-Kowloon Through Train in 1997 has brought Hong Kong and the Mainland even closer to each other. The stamp design features a railway train painted in rainbow hues running through the four stamps.The stamps depict the main stations as follows:
$1.40
The train sets off from the heart of Hong Kong. The violet colour of the carriage stands for Bauhinia blankeana, Hong Kong's regional emblem.
$2.40
The green Wuhan Changjiang Bridge in Wuchang symbolises the picturesque scenery of the areas south of Changjiang.
$2.40
The brownish yellow colour of the Pagodas at Shaolin Monastery in Zhengzhou reminds people of the breathtaking lofty mountain ranges in Northern China.
$5.00
The golden hue of Beijing's Temple of Heaven which signifies China's longtime culture and history, stands in striking contrast to Hong Kong's modernity and prosperity.
Mr Alec Cao, a mainland designer, designs the stamps. This issue was printed in lithography by Southern Colour Print in New Zealand.
Other associated philatelic products released with this issue and the sales restriction per customer queuing on the first day of issue on June 9 and on subsequent days until stock lasts are as follows:
| Products | Descriptions | Unit Selling Price | Sales Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Stamps | In 4 values of $1.40,$2.40, $3 and $5, also available in panes of 25 stamps | $1.40, $2.40, $3.00, $5.00 | 10 sheets of stamps of each denomi-nation (viz. 250 sets of stamps) |
| Presentation Pack | In 4 values of $1.40,$2.40, $3 and $5, also available in panes of 25 stamps | $20.00 | 5 packs |
| Mini-pane | Each containing four sets of stamps | $47.20 | 5 pieces |
| Serviced first day covers with a full set of stamps | Affixed with a full set of stamps and cancelled with the special postmark, will be available at the 38 philatelic offices only | $15.30 | 5 covers |
As from May 21, the stamps will be displayed for advance information of the public at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office , Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office . Official first day covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at all post offices from May 21 to 28.
Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on June 9 to official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced.
The GPO-1 datestamp (GPO-1) and pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back service at all philatelic offices on that day.
All post offices will open on June 9 to provide a full range of counter services. The opening hours will be from 9 am to 2 pm. At the same time, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will also open from 9 am to 2 pm for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark , the GPO-1 postmark as well as the special postmark.