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Hongkong Post today (January 19) announced that a set of special stamps on "Year of the Tiger" will be released for sale together with associated philatelic products on February 6.
Lunar New Year is the most important Chinese festivity that follows a 12-year cycle with each year associated with one zodiac sign. Hongkong Post has been issuing special stamps to mark such auspicious occasions since 1967, and this is the 11th issue in the third series. People born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be audacious and passionate leaders who boast the same power and courage as the formidable predator. The special stamps vividly portray these attributes through four breeds of tigers in different postures. A sheetlet with two stamps featuring the ox and the tiger embossed with genuine gold and 99.9% pure silver bearing a certificate of authenticity is also available as a personal or business gift.
Official first day covers for the "Year of the Tiger" special stamps as well as official souvenir covers for the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Ox/Tiger" will go on sale at all post offices from Saturday (January 23) together with a set of four postcards featuring different breeds of tigers at all philatelic offices. These items will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at philatelic offices from January 23 to 29.
All philatelic offices will extend their operating hours until 5pm on February 6, except for the General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office which will be open until 6pm, and the Airport Post Office until 8.30pm. The business hours at non-philatelic offices will remain unchanged.
Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products may be obtained from the website of Hongkong Post at (www.hongkongpost.com).
Ends/Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 10:02
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