News
2 June 2003
Issue of Mainland Scenery Series No. 2 - "The Master-of-Nets Garden, Suzhou"
The Postmaster General, Mr. Allan CHIANG, announced today (2 June 2003) that the second stamp sheetlet of the Mainland Scenery series will be issued on Friday, 27 June 2003. This stamp sheetlet depicts "The Master-of-Nets Garden, Suzhou" which is a World Heritage site in Suzhou. It has incorporated a new $10 stamp forming part of the sheetlet design.
The classical gardening landscapes in Suzhou are among the few which have managed to create an environment in which man and nature can exist in perfect harmony. Together with The Humble Administrators' Garden, The Lingering Garden and The Mountain Villa With Embracing Beauty, The Master-of-Nets Garden was included in the UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1997.
The stamp sheetlet is designed by Mr. Arde LAM and printed in stochastic lithography (with one colour printing on the gum) by Joh. Enschede Security Printers, The Netherlands.
Information about associated philatelic products released with this issue and the sales restriction per queuing customer on the first day of issue (27 June 2003) and subsequent days until stock lasts is as follows:
| Products | Descriptions | Unit Selling Price | Sales Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamp Sheetlet | Each containing a $10 stamp | $10.00 | 20 sheets |
| Presentation Pack | Each containing a stamp sheetlet | $18.00 | 5 packs |
| Serviced First Day Cover with a stamp sheetlet | Affixed with a stamp sheetlet and cancelled with the special postmark (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 27 June 2003) | $13.50 | 5 covers |
The stamps will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office from 22 May 2003. Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices on 6 June 2003. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at all post offices from 6 to 12 June 2003.
Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on 27 June 2003 for official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced; a specimen of which is shown below:
The GPO-1 postmark (GPO-1???), 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 27 June 2003 as per normal opening hours to provide a full range of counter services. At the same time, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will also open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark as well as the special postmark.
The enclosed photograph shows the Mainland Scenery Series No. 2 - "The Master-of-Nets Garden, Suzhou" to be issued on 12 June 2003.
The enclosed photograph shows the specimen impression of the special postmark to be issued on 27 June 2003 on the theme "The Master-of-Nets Garden, Suzhou".