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A set of stamps depicting four magnificent fish species that are popular as pets with Hong Kong families will be issued on August 7 (Thursday).

The Acting Postmaster General, Mr Tsang Kwok-lam, said the pet fish are known for their beautiful colours and exquisite shapes.

The stamps were designed by Mr Jason Chum and printed in photogravure by Walsall Security Printers Ltd, United Kingdom. The four species depicted are the Ear-spot Angelfish ($1.40); Copperband Butterflyfish ($2.40) that lives in salt water; Dwarf Gourami ($3) and Discus ($5) that lives in fresh water. A special feature of the stamp design, which adds an element of fun to this hobby series, is the incorporation of a special fish-shaped die-cut.

Information about associated philatelic products of this issue and the sales restriction per customer queuing starting from August 7 is as follows:

 
                     		Unit 
                     		selling    	Sales restriction
 Products            		price     		(per customer queuing)
 --------            		-----     		----------------------
 Mint stamps         	$1.40     		10 sheets of stamps 
 (4 denominations)   	$2.40     		of each denomination
                     		$3.00     		(250 sets of stamps)
                     		$5.00
 
 Mini-pane           		$47.20     	five sheets
 (with four sets
 of stamps)
 
 Presentation pack   	$20.00     	five packs
 (with full set
 of stamps)
 
 Serviced First      		$15.30     	five covers
 Day Cover 
 (with full set of stamps
 cancelled by special postmark,
 only available at
 39 philatelic offices
 on August 7)

The stamps will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office from July 17. Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be on sale at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at all post offices from July 17 to 23.

Hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on August 7 for official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced.

The GPO-1 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back service at all philatelic offices on that day.

All post offices will open as normal on August 7. The public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will also open from 9am to 5pm for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmark.

End/Monday, July 7, 2003

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