Special stamp issue - "12 Western Zodiac Signs" (with photos)
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     Hongkong Post today (October 17) announced that a set of stamps on the theme of "12 Western Zodiac Signs" will be released for sale together with associated philatelic products on November 1.

     Gazing at the stars at night, the ancients not only discovered the astronomical laws, but also imaginatively associated the heavenly bodies with animals, artefacts and mythological figures, thus creating the 12 zodiac signs. Constellations are mostly based upon the ancient Greek tradition, passed down through the Middle Ages. In vivid colours and with lively designs, this set of special stamps presents the 12 Western zodiac signs, exploring the fascinating legends behind each sign and unveiling their personality characteristics.

     The "12 Western Zodiac Signs" stamp issue contains a set of 12 stamps. Available in self-adhesive or gummed form, each stamp has a face value of $1.40. Hongkong Post is launching its first-ever self-adhesive reel stamps and self-adhesive stamp booklet, making the stamp issue a truly unmissable stamp collection set.

     Moreover, a total of 13 designs of Heartwarming Stamps (2012 Version) "12 Western Zodiac Signs" mini-pane, 12 of which each feature a Western zodiac image and containing eight stamps in local mail postage, will be released for sale at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office from November 1. Another design of the mini-pane contains all 12 Western zodiac images with 12 stamps in local mail postage.

     Official First Day Covers for the "12 Western Zodiac Signs" special stamps will be on sale at $1 each at all post offices from October 18, while the stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from October 18 to 24. In addition, applications for the Heartwarming Stamps Customised Service for the "12 Western Zodiac Signs" (12 designs) mini-pane will be accepted via the Hongkong Post Stamps website (www.hongkongpoststamps.hk) and all post offices starting from October 19. Further information is available on Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk and the Hongkong Post Mobile App.

Ends/Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 10:00

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