Special Stamp Issue - "Christmas Stamps II"

Mint Stamps

A set of special stamps on "Christmas Stamps II" will be issued on 11 October 2007(Thursday).

A festival of Western origin, Christmas is celebrated in many places around the world. Hong Kong is no exception. At Christmas time the city is lit up by glittering decorations, with sweet carols floating in the air. To bring tidings of comfort and joy, Hongkong Post issued its first set of Christmas Stamps in 2002. The innovative design of its second set features a perfect fusion of elements from Western tradition and local culture.

The four stamps in this issue blend traditional Christmas icons with local elements to inspire a feeling of affinity: a stocking in red-white-and-blue nylon canvas ($1.4), an egg tart in the form of a smiling Gingerbread Man ($2.4), a bell-shaped sparkling neon light ($3) and a jolly Snowman dressed in a cotton-padded Chinese vest ($5).

The design of these stamps draws influence from Chinese and Western customs, with a touch of indigenous flavour, which highlights our openness to foreign culture and growing sense of local identity. The traditional icons and cheerful colours of the stamps commemorate the time-honoured spirit of this joyous festive season.

Official First Day Covers at HK$1 each will be put on sale at all post offices as from 27 September 2007. The stamps and the associated philatelic products will be displayed at General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at 39 philatelic offices from 27 September to 3 October 2007.

Sales Arrangements

Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this set of special stamps and sales restriction per queuing customer starting from 11 October 2007 are as follows:

Remarks:

1. The above philatelic products have been included in the 2007 Local Standing Order Service / 2007 Overseas Mail Order Service. For local customers, please contact Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau Hotline for enquiry at 2785 5711 or fax at 2191 9296.
2. For overseas customers, please ensure there is sufficient balance in your account to pay your advance order. Otherwise, your order will be processed only when the stock is still available after all orders have been fulfilled. For any enquiries, please contact Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau (Overseas Mail Order Service Unit) Hotline at 852-2928 7211 or fax at 852-2850 6552.

Stamp Printing Details:

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements

A hand-back datestamping service will be provided on 11 October 2007 at all post offices, for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced. This will be available, together with the "GPO-1" postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmark, for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.

Also on 11 October 2007, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau on 1/F., Trade Square, 681 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, 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 and the special postmark.

Presentation Pack (cover and inside design)	Special Postmark
Souvenir Pack (cover and inside design)	Serviced First Day Cover affixed with Stamps
Postage Prepaid Christmas Cards (Air Mail)

* Information provided in this link is subject to change.