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The Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping-chuen, announced today (Monday) that a set of special stamps on the theme of "Year of the Dragon " will be issued on January 23, 2000 (Sunday). The stamps are designed by Mr Bon Kwan and printed in lithography by Walsall Security Printers Ltd, United Kingdom.

There are four stamps in this set of stamps marking the beginning of a third Lunar New Year special stamp series released by Hongkong Post. They are: $1.30; $2.50; $3.10 and $5. The stamps apply Chinese paper cutting to the portrayal of the mighty Dragon with a new perspective.

Other associated philatelic products with the issue include a souvenir sheet at $11.90 each; a set of four picture cards at $20 per set with airmail postage prepaid, a presentation pack containing four stamps at $20 each and an imperforated stamp sheetlet with a $5 stamp. This is the first time that imperforated stamp sheetlets are issued in Hong Kong.

As from January 3, 2000, the stamps will be displayed for the advance information of the public at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office.

Official first day covers will be put on sale at all post offices at $1 each as from 3 January. Advance orders for servicing self-provided first day covers will be accepted at all post offices from January 3 to 10, 2000.

All post offices will open on January 23 from 9 am to 4 pm. A restriction of ten sheets of stamps of each denomination (viz. 250 sets of stamps); twenty souvenir sheets; ten imperforated stamp sheetlets; five serviced first day covers; five sets of picture cards and five presentation packs per customer queuing will be imposed on the first day of issue on January 23, 2000 and on subsequent days until stock lasts.

Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on January 23 to official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication.

A special postmark will also be introduced. The GPO-1 hand stamp and the "Hongkong Post Stamps" pictorial postmark will also be available for hand-back service at the 26 philatelic offices.

End/Monday, January 3, 2000

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