News
29 October 2003
Special Stamp Issue - World Heritage in China
The Postmaster General, Mr. Allan CHIANG, announced today (29 October 2003) that a set of special stamps depicting the six World Heritage sites of exceptional scenic beauty and immense historical and cultural value in China will be issued on Tuesday, 25 November 2003. The issue of this set of stamps was originally scheduled on 12 June 2003.
The stamps are designed by Mr. Bon KWAN and printed in lithography by Cartor Security Printing, France. The six World Heritage sites in China depicted are Potala Palace ($1.40), Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ($1.80), Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor ($2.40), Mount Huangshan ($2.50), Old Town of Lijiang ($3.00) and Jiuzhaigou Valley ($5.00).
Information about associated philatelic products of this issue and the sales restriction starting from 25 November 2003 are as follows:
| Products | Unit Selling Price | Sales Restriction Per Customer |
|---|---|---|
| Mint Stamps (6 denominations) | $1.40, $1.80, $2.40, $2.50, $3.00, $5.00 | 10 sheets of stamps of each denomination (viz. 250 sets of stamps) |
| Mini-pane (with 3 sets of 6 stamps) | $48.30 | 5 sheets |
| Presentation Pack (with full set of 6 stamps) | $25.00 | 5 packs |
| Postage Prepaid Picture Card (Air Mail) (with a set of 6 cards, each depicting a World Heritage site) | $30.00 | 5 sets |
| Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a set of 6 stamps (cancelled by special postmark, only available at 39 philatelic offices on 25 November 2003) | $20.60 | 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 4 November 2003. Official First Day Covers at $2.00 each will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day. During 4 - 25 November 2003, customers may exchange Official First Day Covers bearing the original issue date of 12 June 2003 with new Official First Day Covers bearing the issue date of 25 November 2003 at any post office. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at all post offices from 4 to 10 November 2003.
Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on 25 November 2003 for official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. Official First Day Covers bearing the original issue date of 12 June 2003 are acceptable for handback service on 25 November 2003. 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.
On 25 November 2003, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will 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 specimen impression of the special postmark to be issued on 25 November 2003 on the theme "World Heritage in China".
The enclosed photographs show the Special Stamps to be issued on 25 November 2003 on the theme "World Heritage in China".