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1 November 2002
Special Stamp Issue - Christmas Stamps

The Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping-chuen, announced today (November 1) that a set of special stamps will be issued on Sunday (November 24) to mark the approach of the joyous festival of Christmas. This stamp issue consists of four stamps depicting the traditional icons of the season - Christmas tree ($1.40), ornament ($2.40), snowman ($3) and bell ($5). As a special printing feature, the image of each icon on the stamp is highlighted by a second set of perforations. Besides, sparkling silver foils are applied on each stamp providing a special finishing touch to collectors.

The stamps are designed by Mr Ken Li Shik-kwong and printed in photogravure plus hot foil stamping by Joh. Enschede Security Printers, The Netherlands.

Other associated philatelic products to be released with this issue and the sales restriction for each customer queuing on the first day of issue on November 24 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 denomination (viz. 250 sets of stamps)
Mini-pane	Each containing four sets of stamps	$47.20	5 panes
Presentation Pack	Each containing the four stamps	$20	5 packs
Picture Cards	A set of four picture cards with airmail postage prepaid	$20	5 sets
Serviced first day covers with full set of stamps	Affixed with a full set of stamps and cancelled with the special postmark (available at the 38 philatelic offices on November 24 only)	$15.30	5 covers

As from November 4, 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 November 4 to 11.

Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on November 24 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 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back service at all philatelic offices on that day.

All post offices will open on November 24 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.

The enclosed photograph shows the specimen impression of the special postmark to be issued on 24 November 2002 on the theme "Christmas Stamps".

The enclosed photograph shows the special stamps to be issued on 24 November 2002 on the theme "Christmas Stamps".