News
17 September 2004
Hongkong Post Congratulates The Hong Kong Olympics Team Special Heartwarming Stamp Issue to feature silver medallists
Hongkong Post today announced the release on 7 October 2004 of a special "Heartwarming Stamp" issue to congratulate the Hong Kong Team on winning the Silver Medal in the Men's Table Tennis Doubles at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Mrs Joanna Choi, Acting Postmaster General, said: "To compete against the world's greatest athletes is in itself a wonderful achievement. To bring home the very first medal since the reunification of Hong Kong with China is an outstanding accomplishment worthy of special recognition. Hongkong Post congratulates our Olympic winners on behalf of the community of Hong Kong and is pleased to celebrate their achievement with this special stamp issue."
These commemorative "Heartwarming Stamps" will be available in a Mini-pane containing 16 stamps denominated in local postage and photos of the Men's Table Tennis Doubles Silver Medallists in the 2004 Olympic Games, Mr. LI Ching and Mr. KO Lai-chak. The Mini-panes will be of limited edition at a cost of $50 each.
A blank Souvenir Cover with no stamps attached will be available for $1 at all post offices from 30 September 2004 onwards. A serviced Souvenir Cover will be available as from 7 October 2004 at 39 philatelic offices conveniently located throughout Hong Kong. This will have four commemorative stamps affixed, and photos of the medallists imprinted next to each stamp. The stamps will be cancelled with a specially-designed postmark. These Covers will be sold for $9.10 each on the issue date as long as stock lasts.
Please note that some sales restrictions apply. Only two Mini-panes and five serviced Souvenir Covers can be purchased in a single transaction, and no individual stamps will be available for sale.
The stamp products will be displayed from 30 September 2004 in four locations, namely, the General Post Office and Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Shatin Central post offices. Local Standing Order Service (LSOS) customers can place advance orders from 20 to 24 September 2004.
On 7 October 2004, the release date for the stamps, a hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices for official and privately-made covers, bearing an indication of the event and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced.
As a special offer to LSOS members, Hongkong Post is also offering a Lucky Draw. Ten lucky winners will receive a pair of table tennis paddles autographed by the silver medallists, Mr. LI Ching and Mr. KO Lai-chak.
Further information about this issue and the sale of associated philatelic products can be obtained from any post office or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711 or browsing Hongkong Post website (http://www.hongkongpost.com).
The enclosed photograph shows "The Hong Kong Olympics Team Special Heartwarming Stamp Issue to feature silver medalists" to be issued on 7 October 2004.
The enclosed photograph shows "The Hong Kong Olympics Team Special Heartwarming Stamp Issue to feature silver medalists" postmark to be issued on 7 October 2004.
The enclosed photograph shows "The Hong Kong Olympics Team Special Heartwarming Stamp Issue to feature silver medalists" serviced souvenir cover to be issued on 7 October 2004.