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The Postmaster General, Mr Robert Footman , announced today (Friday) that a set of special stamps on the theme of "Hong Kong Kites" will be issued on November 15, 1998.

This set of special stamps depicts four kinds of traditional Hong Kong kites. They are : Dragonfly kite ($1.30 stamp); Dragon kite ($2.50 stamp); Butterfly kite ($3.10 stamp); and Goldfish kite ($5.00 stamp). A souvenir sheet incorporating the four stamps, a beautifully designed presentation pack and a set of four picture cards on the same theme, will also be issued.

As from October 12, the stamps will be put on display for the advance information of the public at the General Post Office , Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office , Tsuen Wan Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office . Official first day covers will be put on sale at all post offices at $1 each on the same day.

Advance orders for mint stamps , souvenir sheets, serviced first day covers , picture cards and presentation packs will be accepted at all post offices from October 12 to 19. No handling fee is charged.

All post offices will open on November 15 from 9 am to 4 pm. A restriction of 10 sheets of stamps of each denomination (viz. 250 sets of stamps), twenty souvenir sheets, five serviced first day covers, five sets of picture cards and five presentation packs per customer queuing will be imposed.

Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices to official and privately-made covers bearing indication of the first day of issue on November 15. A special postmark will also be introduced. The GPO-1 hand stamp will also be available for hand-back service at all 26 philatelic offices .

End/Friday, October 9, 1998

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