Special Stamp Issues - "Year of the Ox" and "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat / Ox"

Year of the Ox - Mint Stamps

Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat / Ox

A set of special stamps on the theme of "Year of the Ox" will be issued on 17 January 2009 (Saturday). A series of associated stamp products will also be put on sale on the same date.

"Year of the Ox"

This is the tenth Lunar New Year special stamp issue in the third series released by Hongkong Post. The first and second sets of special stamps for the "Year of the Ox" were issued in 1973 and 1997 respectively.

Each lunar year in China is named after an animal, running in twelve-year cycles. In traditional Chinese culture, the ox is a symbol of diligence and reliability. It is believed that people born in the Year of the Ox are conscientious, calm and systematic, and they often assume positions of authority and responsibility.

The four stamps come in denominations of $1.40, $2.40, $3.00 and $5.00, and portray vividly the physique and postures of four different breeds of oxen. To capture the gradation of light and shade and to accentuate the three-dimensional effect, five-colour printing is used on the stamps to enhance the image detail of the cattle against a background of hillside and pasture in silver colour.

The First Day Cover design presents an interesting combination of paper-cutting and computer aided drawing. The paper-cut pattern gives a note of festivity, and the expectant ox in the front heralds the Year of the Ox.

"Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat / Ox"

Lunar New Year marks a fresh beginning and a time of renewal. Hongkong Post celebrates this joyous occasion by issuing the Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals. Symbols of wealth and prestige, gold and silver are cherished as the most precious metals in many cultures. As such, these gold and silver philatelic products make perfect gifts and express our wish for a peaceful and prosperous year ahead.

The ninth issue in the series presents the Rat and the Ox. Each bearing a denomination of $50, the two stamps are embossed and hot-foiled - the Rat with genuine 22-carat gold and 99.9% pure silver; the Ox with genuine 24-carat gold and 99.9% pure silver. The sheetlet comes with a certificate of authenticity.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar follows a twelve-year cycle with each year named after an animal. People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be sharp-witted and sociable while those born in the Year of the Ox are reliable and conscientious.

A gradation of light and shade is used to accentuate the details of the Rat and the Ox against their respective sapphire and plum backgrounds, producing an impressive three-dimensional effect.

Sales Arrangements

Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this set of special stamps and the stamp sheetlet starting from 17 January 2009 is as follows:

Remarks:

1. The above philatelic products are included in the 2009 Local Standing Order Service / 2009 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 to 852-2850 6552.

Official First Day Covers for the "Year of the Ox" special stamps, together with the Official Souvenir Covers for the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat/Ox", will be put on sale at $1 each at all post offices from 3 January 2009. The stamps, 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 date. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at 37 philatelic offices from 3 to 9 January 2009.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements

A hand-back datestamping service by the office steel datestamp will be provided on 17 January 2009 at all post offices (excluding mobile post offices), for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. Two special postmarks will also be introduced. They will be available, together with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmark, for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day. The "GPO-1" datestamp will be available at General Post Office only. All philatelic offices will extend their operating hours until 5pm, except for General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office and Airport Post Office which will maintain their normal Saturday operating hours. There will be no extension of business hours at the non-philatelic offices.

Also on 17 January 2009, 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 and the two special postmarks. Please note that the hand-back datestamping service of "GPO-1" postmark will only be provided at General Post Office during the office hour on the issue day. Customers may also obtain the "GPO-1" postmark by placing order(s) via Local Standing Order Service or the "Advance Orders for Servicing Self-provided Covers".

Stamp and Stamp Sheetlet Printing Details

"Year of the Ox"

Souvenir Sheet	Imperforated Stamp Sheetlet	Presentation Pack
Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a set of Mint Stamps	Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a Souvenir Sheet	Serviced First Day Cover affixed with an Imperforated Stamp Sheetlet

Postage Prepaid Picture Cards (Air Mail)

Serviced Maximum Cards

Special Postmark

"Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat / Ox"

Presentation Pack

Serviced Souvenir Cover affixed with a Stamp Sheetlet

Special Postmark