Special Stamp Issue – "Jellyfish"

Mint Stamps

A special set of stamps on the theme of "Jellyfish" will be issued on 12 June 2008(Thursday).

Drifting gracefully with the currents, jellyfish exude the elegance of a dancer moving to the rhythm of ocean waves. This set of special stamps depicts six different species of jellyfish. For the first time, these stamps are printed with a luminous effect to juxtapose the gorgeous jellyfish against a contrasting dark background.

$1.40 – Flower Hat Jelly
This rare species of jellyfish has multicoloured tentacles hanging from a translucent, pinstriped bell. Being semi-benthic, they sometimes stay on the sea floor. Feeding on small fish in the sea, they can grow up to 15 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Flower Hat Jellies occur in Brazil, Argentina and the deep ocean waters off the coast of southern Japan.

$1.80 – Octopus Jelly
Octopus Jellies have 8 trailing oral arms. They move up at daytime to allow the symbiotic algae on their bells to photosynthesise and remain in deeper zones after sunset. Feeding on microplankton and nutrients from algae, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Octopus Jellies occur in Indo-Pacific waters.

$2.40 – Brown Sea Nettle
The name of the Brown Sea Nettle originates from the radiating brown stripes on their bells and the bee sting-like nematocysts. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Brown Sea Nettles occur in Japan and the Bering Sea.

$2.50 - Moon Jelly
The Moon Jelly is so named because of its moon-like circular bell. One can tell when they have just taken brine shrimps from the orange tint in the four stomach pouches in their translucent bells. Feeding on microplankton, they can grow up to 35 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Moon Jellies occur in tropical and temperate waters.

$3 - Lion’s Mane Jelly
The Lion’s Mane Jelly is a highly toxic species. They are named for their trailing tentacles reminiscent of the mane of a lion. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 40 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Lion’s Mane Jellies occur in the western Pacific around Japan.

$5 - Pacific Sea Nettle
Similar to the Brown Sea Nettle, the Pacific Sea Nettle is equipped with nematocysts which sting. They have dusky brown bells with deep red tentacles. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 1 metre in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Pacific Sea Nettles occur in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.

Sales Arrangements

Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this set of stamps starting from 12 June 2008 is as follows:

Remarks:

1. The above philatelic products are included in the 2008 Local Standing Order Service / 2008 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.

Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices as from 29 May 2008. This set of stamps and the associated philatelic products will be displayed at General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office as from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from 29 May to 4 June 2008.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements
A hand-back datestamping service will be provided on 12 June 2008 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 12 June 2008, 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.

Stamp Printing Details

Souvenir Sheet	Special Postmark	Prestige Stamp Booklet
Postage Prepaid Picture Cards (Air Mail)	Presentation Pack
A set of 3 Serviced First Day Cover affixed with Stamp Sheetlets (one with $1.40/$1.80 stamp sheetlet, one with $2.40/$2.50 stamp sheetlet and one with $3/$5 stamp sheetlet)
Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a set of Mint Stamps		Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a Souvenir Sheet