Special Stamp Issue - "Hong Kong, China – Finland Joint Issue on Fine Woodwork"

Mint Stamps

A set of special stamps on the theme of “Hong Kong, China – Finland Joint Issue on Fine Woodwork” will be issued on 2 November 2007 (Friday).

To pay tribute to wood, Hongkong Post and Finland Post jointly present the special stamps “Fine Woodwork”. This is our eighth joint issue with an overseas postal administration.
This set of two HK$5 stamps depicts Zitan armchair with dragon design of Qing dynasty from Hong Kong, China, and Oval bowls of the 2000s from Finland.

Zitan armchair with dragon design, Qing dynasty

Zitan (red sandalwood) is a rare and treasured wood known for its exceptional quality and close grain. The sizeable zitan armchair depicted on the stamp displays graceful lines and perfect proportions. The close-up shot on the right shows details of the single piece of wood comprising the splat of the chair, which is carved in a kuilong motif. An auspicious symbol in traditional Chinese culture and hence a popular design in handicraft, kuilong, a dragon-like creature marked by its single horn and single leg, made its first appearance in bronze. The distinct curves of the carved areas are accentuated by the beautiful dark colour and subtle lustre of the wood. The refined design of the angular armchair exemplifies the restrained and elegant style of Qing dynasty furniture.

Oval bowls of the 2000s

The birch is the national tree of Finland. When a birch tree is cut, nothing goes to waste. It provides timber for traditional tools and furniture, bark for roofing and paper making, twigs for fodder and sap for drinks. No wonder this versatile tree has always held an important place in the lives and hearts of the Finnish people. Executed in tough curly birch, the six items featured on the stamp take a traditional form. Clear and strong lines add a contemporary touch to the fluted pieces. Their smooth contour and solid forms speak much about the characteristics of Finnish designs, which espouse clear-cut simplicity.
Official First Day Covers at HK$1 each will be put on sale at all post offices as from 18 October 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 as from the same date. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at 38 philatelic offices from 18 to 25 October 2007.

Stamp Printing Details:

Sales Arrangements
Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this set of special stamps and sales restriction per queuing customer starting from 2 November 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 that 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.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements

A hand-back datestamping service will be provided on 2 November 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 special postmark 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 2 November 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.

	Souvenir Sheet		Special Postmark
	Presentation Pack (cover design)		Souvenir Pack (cover design)
Serviced First Day Cover affixed with Joint Stamps		Serviced First Day Cover affixed with Stamps		Serviced First Day Cover affixed with Souvenir Sheet

* Information provided in this link is subject to change.