*****************************************************
Hongkong Post today (January 9) announced that a set of special stamps entitled "Year of the Ram" will be released for sale with associated philatelic products on January 24 (Saturday).
The Chinese zodiac, represented by 12 animals, is an integral part of Chinese traditional culture. Its profound significance to Chinese folk arts and crafts can be illustrated by the wide adoption of zodiac signs in a large number of artworks since ancient times. As the Year of the Ram will begin in 2015, Hongkong Post is presenting the fourth Lunar New Year special stamp issue in the fourth series, featuring a set of four stamps portraying rams in different art forms to highlight the theme of the Year of the Ram. A silk stamp sheetlet will also be released to mark the joyous occasion.
In addition, Hongkong Post will release the first issue in the second series of "Silver Hot Foil Lunar New Year Animal Stamps - Dragon/Snake/Horse/Ram" and the third issue in the second series of "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Horse/Ram" to celebrate the Spring Festival.
Two Heartwarming Stamps (2015 Version) "Year of the Ram" mini-panes, which will adopt the respective designs of the $1.70 and $3.70 mint stamps in the "Year of the Ram" special stamp issue of 2015, will also be released for sale at all philatelic offices from January 24.
Official First Day Covers for "Year of the Ram", Official Souvenir Covers for the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Horse/Ram" and Official Souvenir Covers for the "Silver Hot Foil Lunar New Year Animal Stamps - Dragon/Snake/Horse/Ram" will be on sale at $1.20 each at all post offices from tomorrow (January 10). Official First Day Covers (Prestige Version) for "Year of the Ram", Official Souvenir Covers (Prestige Version) for the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Horse/Ram" and Official Souvenir Covers (Prestige Version) for the "Silver Hot Foil Lunar New Year Animal Stamps - Dragon/Snake/Horse/Ram" will also be available at $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, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from tomorrow to January 16.
All philatelic offices will extend their operating hours until 5pm on January 24, except for the General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, which will be open until 6pm, and the Airport Post Office, which will be open until 8.30pm. The business hours of non-philatelic post offices will remain unchanged (please refer to Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk for details).
Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available from Hongkong Post's website and via the Hongkong Post Mobile App.
Ends/Friday, January 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 10:00
NNNN
