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Hongkong Post announced today (December 31) the release of a set of special stamps on the Year of the Monkey, together with associated philatelic products, which will go on sale on January 16, 2016 (Saturday).
Richly decorated with festive motifs and traditional auspicious symbols, the Chinese New Year special stamps convey happiness and aspirations for a good life as Hong Kong welcomes the advent of spring.
In Chinese folklore, the monkey, one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, is clever, agile and energetic. To usher in the Year of the Monkey in 2016, Hongkong Post presents a special set of four stamps and a stamp sheetlet, with the monkey motif represented on a variety of contemporary as well as traditional art and craft items. The stamp designs are enriched by patterns of auspicious plants in the background to symbolise prosperity and good fortune. These stamps are the fifth set in the fourth Lunar New Year special stamp issue series issued by Hongkong Post.
A silk stamp sheetlet, featuring a monkey motif surrounded by peaches and peach blossoms to represent longevity and blessings, is also being released to celebrate the Spring Festival. In addition, Hongkong Post is releasing the fourth issue in the second series of Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Ram/Monkey. The Ram stamp is hot-foiled with silver while the Monkey stamp is affixed with 22K gold-plated lace metal. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, this stamp sheetlet makes a perfect collectible.
Two Heartwarming Stamps (2016 version), Year of the Monkey mini-panes, which adopt the respective designs of the $1.70 and the $3.70 mint stamps in the Year of the Monkey special stamp issue of 2016, will be released for sale at all philatelic offices from January 16.
In addition to stamps, Year of the Monkey red packets, featuring images of the four mint stamps on the same theme, will go on sale 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, as well as Hongkong Post's Internet Shopping Mall "ShopThruPost" (www.shopthrupost.hk), starting from January 16.
Official First Day Covers for the Year of the Monkey, and Official Souvenir Covers for the Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Ram/Monkey, will go on sale at $1.20 each at all post offices from January 2. Official First Day Covers (Prestige version) for the Year of the Monkey and Official Souvenir Covers (Prestige version) for the Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Ram/Monkey 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 January 2 to 8.
All philatelic offices will extend their operating hours until 5pm on January 16, 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. Non-philatelic post offices will be open during their normal business hours (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 at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.
Ends/Thursday, December 31, 2015
Issued at HKT 09:30
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