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Hongkong Post today (January 7) announced that a set of special stamps for the "Year of the Rabbit" will be released for sale with associated philatelic products on January 22.
Celebration of the Lunar New Year is an important Chinese tradition that brings together families and friends to share good wishes and renew acquaintances. It presents a popular and attractive theme as each year is marked by an animal of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, and Hongkong Post has been issuing special stamps to mark this auspicious occasion since 1967.
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be kind, gentle and witty. The special stamps vividly portray four adorable rabbits, which are either a commonly found species or popularly kept as domestic pets in Hong Kong. A stamp sheetlet embossed with genuine gold and silver marking the transition from tiger to rabbit is also available, while we have also produced a set of flock stamps featuring Rat, Ox, Tiger and Rabbit and a stamp sheetlet featuring all 12 animals to mark this last issue in the third series.
Official First Day Covers for the "Year of the Rabbit" special stamps and Official Souvenir Covers for the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Tiger/Rabbit", "Flock Stamps on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat/Ox/Tiger/Rabbit" and "Twelve Animals of the Lunar New Year Cycle" stamp sheetlet will be put on sale at $1 each at all post offices from January 8. Concurrently, a set of postcards featuring those rabbits depicted on the special stamps could also be purchased for $8 each at all philatelic offices. These items will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from January 8 to 14.
Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products may be obtained from the website of Hongkong Post at www.hongkongpost.com.
Ends/Friday, January 7, 2011
Issued at HKT 13:20
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