Special Stamp Issue - "Stamp Sheetlet to Commemorate Hongkong Post's Participation in CHINA 2009 World Stamp Exhibition"

Stamp Sheetlet

A special stamp sheetlet to commemorate Hongkong Post's participation in CHINA 2009 World Stamp Exhibition will be issued on 7 April 2009 (Tuesday).

CHINA 2009 World Stamp Exhibition will be held in Luoyang City, Henan Province, China, from 10 to 16 April 2009.Under the patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) and the auspices of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP), the Exhibition will be staged in the new hall of the Luoyang Museum. This is the second such mega event hosted by China for philatelists abroad and at home.

CHINA 2009 World Stamp Exhibition, presented in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, aims to foster closer ties and co-operation among philatelists and stamp collectors worldwide, and promote philately as a universally enjoyable hobby. The Exhibition will enrich the culture of philately across the nation with local stamp enthusiasts taking part in this international philatelic activity. The event also offers Hongkong Post an excellent chance to showcase quality stamps from Hong Kong to stamp lovers in the Mainland and around the globe.

The colourful stamp sheetlet vividly captures the artistic images of the peony (the city flower of Luoyang) and the bauhinia (the city flower of Hong Kong). Shades of pink and white highlight the elegance of the peony in full bloom against layers of petals in brilliant hues of tangerine and crimson. The bauhinia flowers in white surrounding the peony in the stamp symbolise Hongkong Post's participation in this important event.

Sales Arrangements

Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this stamp sheetlet starting from 7 April 2009 is as follows:

Remarks:

1. The above stamp issue is not included in the 2009 Local Standing Order Service. Order form had already been issued to "2009 Local Standing Order Service" customers. 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 24 March 2009. 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 as from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from 24 to 30 March 2009.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements

A hand-back datestamping service by the office steel datestamp will be provided on 7 April 2009 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. 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" postmark will be available at General Post Office only. A cachet will also be available from 7 to 16 April 2009 at all philatelic offices for application on covers (during offices hours), and throughout the exhibition period from 10 to 16 April 2009 at the exhibition venue in Luoyang, China.

Also on 7 April 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, 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