Special Stamp Issue –"The 140th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen"

Mint Stamps

This set of special stamps will be issued on 12 November 2006 (Sunday) to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866 – 1925) who led China into a new epoch. Dr. Sun was closely related to Hong Kong both as a student and a young revolutionary. He arrived in Hong Kong in 1883 and continued his secondary education at the Diocesan Home and Orphanage (now Diocesan Boys’ School) and the Government Central School (now Queen’s College). In 1892, he graduated from the College of Medicine for Chinese, Hongkong (forerunner of the Faculty of Medicine for the University of Hong Kong) with flying colours. After practising briefly as a doctor, Dr. Sun determined to devote his life to revolution and Hong Kong continued to serve as a base for his revolutionary activities which finally led to the founding of the Republic of China in 1912.

The four commemorative stamps in this set give a glimpse into his life by presenting some of his portraits at different ages. The stamps also incorporate calligraphy by Dr. Sun which proclaims his revolutionary ideal that "the World belongs to the People".

$1.40 - the earliest extant portrait of Dr. Sun, taken in 1883 at the age of 17
$2.40 - portrayed as the Provisional President of the Republic of China in 1912
$3 - photo taken after paying condolences to the family of his comrade Huang Xing in 1916
$5 - the quintessential portrait in a Zhongshan suit, taken in 1922

The $5 stamp in the sheetlet portrays Dr. Sun in his final years at the Supreme Headquarters of the Generalissimo of the Army and Navy in Guangzhou in 1924. The background of the sheetlet shows the map of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail which covers the places he frequented in his early life during his sojourn in Hong Kong.

Information about philatelic products associated with this issue and sales restriction per queuing customer starting from 12 November 2006 are as follows:

Remarks: The above philatelic products have been included in the 2006 Local Standing Order Service.

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 23 October 2006. The Official First Day Cover will be put on sale at HK$1 each at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at 39 philatelic offices from 23 to 28 October 2006.

All post offices (except mobile post offices) will open on 12 November 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office and Airport Post Office will maintain their normal Sunday business hours from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices (except mobile post offices) on 12 November 2006 for official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced and available for hand-back service. In addition, the"GPO-1" postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmark will also be available for hand-back service at 39 philatelic offices on that day.

On 12 November 2006, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau on 1/F., Trade Square, 681 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the “GPO-1” postmark and the special postmark.

Stamps Issuing Ceremony

The stamps issuing ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on 12 November 2006 at the Convocation Room, Room 218, Main Building, the University of Hong Kong, with Professor TSUI Lap-chee, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong to be our officiating guest. Autograph Session will be held after the ceremony at around 10:20 a.m.

Stamp Printing Details

Stamp Sheetlet

Prestige Stamp Booklet

Presentation Pack

Serviced First Day Cover affixed with Stamps

Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a Stamp Sheetlet

Set of 2 Serviced First Day Covers affixed with Stamp Sheetlets

Special Postmark

* Information provided in this link is subject to change.