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A set of Special Stamps entitled "International Day of Peace" will be issued on September 21, the Postmaster General, Mr Tam Wing-pong, announced today (August 29).
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As part of its efforts to promote peace and well-being for all of the world's people, the United Nations General Assembly decided that, beginning in 2002, the International Day of Peace should be observed on September 21 each year. To mark the day this year, Hongkong Post will issue a set of stamps to promote goodwill and spread the message of peace.
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"The set of five stamps draws on nature to illustrate an ideal world defined by Love, Peace, Hope, Caring and Harmony. Intelligent use of lettering in both Chinese characters and Roman letters further enhances the decorative effect," Mr Tam said.
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This set of special stamps is designed by Mr Wong Chun-hong and printed in lithography by Joh Enschedˆm B.V., the Netherlands. The First Day Cover depicts a smiling Earth with lollipop-head trees against an azure sky.
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The stamps will be displayed at the General Post Office and at the Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Shatin Central post offices from Thursday (August 31). Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at 39 philatelic offices from August 31 to September 6.
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A hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices on September 21 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.
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On September 21, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will be open from 9am to 5pm for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmark.
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Further information about this issue and the associated philatelic products can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.com, at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
Ends/Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 10:03
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