Commemorative Stamp Issue – “Stamp Sheetlet to Commemorate Hongkong Post’s Participation in World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008”

Stamp Sheetlet

A stamp sheetlet to commemorate Hongkong Post’s participation in World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008 will be issued on 12 September 2008 (Friday).

A special stamp sheetlet is issued to commemorate Hongkong Post’s participation in the World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008 held in Prague, the Czech Republic, from 12 to 14 September 2008. Under the patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), PRAGA 2008 is organised in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the issuance of the first Czechoslovak stamps in 1918, the 90th anniversary of the Postal Museum in Prague and the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Czech Republic.

Hongkong Post’s participation in PRAGA 2008 provides an excellent opportunity for presenting quality Hong Kong stamps overseas and to promote philately as a universally enjoyable hobby. The stamp sheetlet depicts signature buildings and facilities in Hong Kong and Prague blended in harmony to represent a unique link between the two cities through philately. A dove in flight accentuates the liveliness of the design. Carrying a letter in its beak on a heart-shaped path of white dots resembling stamp perforations, the bird embodies the message of world peace and co-ordinated efforts in promoting philately around the globe.

Sales Arrangements

Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this stamp sheetlet starting from 12 September 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 to 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 to 852-2850 6552.

Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices as from 29 August 2008. The stamp sheetlet 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 from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from 29 August to 4 September 2008.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements

A hand-back datestamping service will be provided on 12 September 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. A cachet will also be available for application on covers at the exhibition venue and all philatelic offices during normal offices hours throughout the exhibition period.

Also on 12 September 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, the special postmark and the cachet.

Stamp Printing Details

Presentation Pack (Cover and Inside Design)
Special Postmark	Cachet	Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a Stamp Sheetlet