News
13 December 2004
Hongkong Post to issue a new set of 26 Alphabet Stamps Unique use of imagery brings the alphabet to life
Hongkong Post's next issue of stamps promises to lend a little fun to your postal experience and maybe bring a smile to senders and recipients alike. The new Alphabet Stamps represent aspects of the daily lives of Hong Kong people in an endearingly familiar and functional fashion.
Twenty-six ordinary objects are turned into the letters of the alphabet through an ingenious combination of imagery and typography, making the Alphabet Stamps a celebration of the A-to-Z of our daily lives. Each letter is made up of a portion of an everyday item commonly found at home or at work. A, for example, is made up of part of a clothes peg and is finished with bold black lettering in the bottom portion of the stamp. B comprises part of a pair of scissors and C a desk lamp! Similarly, E uses a steaming rack, H a bamboo ladder and U a pair of flip-flops.
Postmaster General, Mr. Allan CHIANG, stated: "We have used popular and easily identifiable objects to create the letters of the alphabet in an engaging and amusing way. In addition to the basic function of postage prepayment, these stamps can also be combined very imaginatively to create short personal messages on the envelope. This idea of blending art that communicates together with a useful postal function is another innovation in our philatelic history.
The Alphabet Stamps were created by local designer Mr. Benny Lau and printed by Cartor Security Printing in France. The stamps all have a face value of HK$1.40 and are available in both gummed and self-adhesive formats.
These lively and innovative Alphabet Stamps score a big 'first' for Hongkong Post in using humour to entertain and educate through stamps. Besides postage, the Alphabet Stamps can be used to personalise mail with a special message such as "Happy Birthday" or "Thank You" on the envelope. Other uses abound, including commercial application by corporations looking for a new medium to convey promotional messages and recycling used stamps for use by children as 'language tools' for word games. Now is the time to stock up on these unique stamps in readiness for that special occasion when you wish to send a personalised message that is both eye-catching and unusual.
The stamps will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office, from 14 December 2004. Official First Day Covers at $2 for the large size (265x190mm) and $1 for the small size (220x110mm) will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing of self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at all post offices from 14 to 20 December 2004.
A hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices on 4 January 2005 for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced, incorporating the letters A, B and C interlinked in a graphic design. This special postmark, together with the GPO-1 postmark and the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark will also be available for hand-back datestamping service in the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau and at all 39 philatelic offices on that day.
Further information about this issue and the sale of associated philatelic products can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at http://www.hongkongpost.com or at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
Fact Sheet
First Day Cover Text
The enclosed photograph shows "Alphabet Stamps" Special Stamp Sheetlet to be issued on 4 January 2005.
The enclosed photograph shows "Alphabet Stamps" Special Postmark to be issued on 1 January 2005.