News
27 December 2002
Special Stamp Issue for the Year of the Ram
The Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping-chuen, announced today (December 27) that a set of special stamps on the theme of Year of the Ram and associated stamp products will be issued on Sunday, January 19, 2003. Details of these stamp products are set out below:
| Products : | Year of the Ram special stamps |
|---|---|
| Special Features: | This is the 4th stamp issue in the 3th series of Lunar New Year special stamps released by Hongkong Post. In keeping with the artistic nature of those born in the Year of the Ram, the stamps depict the Ram in various graceful poses against a serene background and the traditional technique of Chinese paper cutting was applied to the stamp designs. |
| Designed by: | Mr Bon Kwan |
| Printed by: | The House of Questa Ltd., United Kingdom |
| Products : | Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Horse / Rams |
|---|---|
| Special Features: | The 3rd issue in the series of gold and silver stamp sheetlets, which features the Horse and the Ram at a face value of $50 each. The stamps, featuring the Horse and the Ram, are embossed and hot-foiled respectively with genuine 24-carat gold/99.9% pure silver and genuine 22-carat gold/99.9% pure silver. |
| Designed by: | Mr Bon Kwan |
| Printed by: | Cartor Security Printing, France |
| Products : | Flock Stamps on Lunar New Year Animals - Dragon / Snake / Horse / Ram |
|---|---|
| Special Features: | Hongkong Post is the first postal authority in the world to print stamps on flock paper. This set of flock stamps features four-colour printing on flock paper, giving the entire sheet a luxurious texture. |
| Designed by: | Mr Bon Kwan |
| Printed by: | Cartor Security Printing, France |
Other associated philatelic products released with these issues and the respective sales restrictions per customer queuing on the first day of issue on January 19, 2003 and on subsequent days until stock lasts are as follows:
Year of the Ram Special Stamps
| 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) |
| Souvenir Sheet | Each containing the four stamps | $11.80 | 20 sheets |
| Imperforated Stamp Sheetlet | Each containing a $5 imperforated stamp | $5.00 | 20 sheets |
| Presentation Pack | Each containing the four stamps | $20 | 5 packs |
| Cards | A set of four airmail postage prepaid picture cards | $20 / set | 5 sets |
| Serviced first day covers with souvenir sheet | Affixed with a piece of souvenir sheet and cancelled with the special postmark (available at the 39 philatelic offices only on January 19, 2003) |
$15.30 | 5 covers |
| 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 39 philatelic offices only on January 19, 2003) |
$15.30 | 5 covers |
| Serviced first day covers with imperforated stamp sheetlet | Affixed with an imperforated stamp sheetlet and cancelled with the special postmark (available at the 39 philatelic offices only on January 19, 2003) |
$8.50 | 5 covers |
Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Horse / Ram
| Products: | Descriptions: | Unit selling price: | Sales restriction: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamp Sheetlet | Each containing a set of two $50 gold and silver stamps | $100 | 5 sheets |
| Serviced souvenir covers with a stamp sheetlet | Affixed with a piece of stamp sheetlet and cancelled with the special postmark (available at the 39 philatelic offices only) | $103.50 | 5 covers |
| Presentation Pack | Each containing a stamp sheetlet | $120 | 5 packs |
Flock Stamp on Lunar New Year Animals - Dragon / Snake / Horse / Ram
| Products: | Descriptions: | Unit selling price: | Sales restriction: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Stamp Set | A set of four $10 stamps | $40 | 5 sets |
| Mini-pane | Each containing four sets of stamps | $160 | 5 sheets |
| Serviced souvenir covers with a set of four stamps | Affixed with a set of four $10 stamps and cancelled with the special postmark (available at the 39 philatelic offices only) | $43.50 | 5 covers |
| Presentation Pack | Each containing a set of four stamps | $50 | 5 packs |
As from December 30, 2002, the stamps and sheetlet 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 and souvenir 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 December 30, 2002 to January 6, 2003.
Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on January 19, 2003 to official and privately-made covers bearing an indication of the event and a local address. Three kinds of special covers and special postmarks will also be introduced.
The GPO-1 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic offices pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back service at all philatelic offices on that day.
All post offices will open on January 19, 2003 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 on that day 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 19 January 2003 on the theme "Year of the Ram".
The enclosed photograph shows the special stamps to be issued on 19 January 2003 on the theme "Year of the Ram".