Hongkong Post Announces 2006 Stamp Issuing Programme and
Launch of Local Standing Order Service (with photo)
********************************************************* Hongkong Post today announced its Stamp Issuing Programme for 2006 which consists of one definitive stamp set, 10 special stamp issues and other associated stamp products.
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The Postmaster General, Mr Allan Chiang, said the 2006 programme would be particularly appealing to stamp collectors as it would offer a range of new and innovative designs featuring several interesting aspects of Hong Kong as well as Mainland China. "Stamps with local themes include the '2006 Hong Kong Definitive Stamps', 'Special Attractions of the 18 Districts in Hong Kong', 'Government Transport' and 'The 140th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr Sun Yat-sen'," Mr Chiang said. "Through some stamp issues, such as 'Chinese Idioms and Their Stories' and 'International Day of Peace', young collectors in particular will be able to expand their knowledge as their curiosity is aroused through the fun of stamp collecting. All of these new stamps will add greater breadth and depth to the collection of fine Hong Kong stamps now available."
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Individual special stamps and stamp products will be available in different formats and at various prices. The 10 new sets of stamps will be released according to a carefully planned schedule throughout the year, beginning on January 15 with the "Year of the Dog" in celebration of Chinese New Year. Details of each stamp issue will be announced closer to the date of issue.
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Of particular interest to younger members of the public will be an innovative design by Hong Kong youngsters. In December, 2004, children were invited to submit designs for a set of stamps entitled "Children Stamps - Dress Bear Up" and the winning designs will be issued on March 30. These designs show the creativity of youngsters in Hong Kong and the success of the stamp design competition shows that stamp design and collecting are activities that are both great fun and educational to youngsters.
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Another stamp issue which is bound to gain attention will be that made jointly with Austria, the first postal administration in the world to issue stamps made with crystals. The "Hong Kong, China - Austria Joint Issue on Fireworks" represents another first since it uses crystal fabric, which incorporates very small sized crystals similar to grains of sand. Hongkong Post's innovative approach to seeking and developing new ideas for stamps not only makes them attractive to users, but also adds value for collectors.
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Two sets of Postage Prepaid Postcards will be issued to mark two highlights of the year, the "9th World Firefighters Games 2006" and "ITU Telecom World 2006", both significant international events which will be hosted by Hong Kong.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
In addition, three sets of special stamp sheetlets will be issued in 2006 - one in January and two in May - which will be of special interest to stamp collectors. The new stamps and stamp products will be available to the public at all post offices. Issue dates are tentative and changes, if necessary, will be announced in due course.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
"At Hongkong Post, we are proud of next year's stamp issuing programme and believe that philatelists will definitely look forward to the new designs for their novelty and originality, as well as a way to increase their pleasure and the value of their collections," Mr Chiang said.
Launch of 2006 Local Standing Order Service
Mr Chiang described the Local Standing Order Service (LSOS) as the easiest and most convenient way of collecting Hong Kong stamps. "Starting from today (September 9), customers can order the 2006 stamp issues and related products in advance. With LSOS, there is no need to queue at post offices on the issue dates. LSOS customers can also enjoy various incentive schemes with attractive souvenir items that are not for public sale. To enjoy these incentives, customers have to submit their orders for 2006 stamp products before October 3, 2005."
¡@¡@¡@¡@
The incentive offers include six separate schemes, two of which are specially provided for young collectors. Collectors can redeem gifts against bonus points awarded for purchases of stamps. Customers are offered a choice of different order plans, payment options and delivery modes to collect their Hong Kong stamp orders.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
The service guide and application form for the 2006 LSOS will be available at all post offices from today and at 'The Commercial Press' bookstores from today until to October 3, 2005. Customers can return completed application forms to any post office (except Mobile Post Offices), by post to the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau, or online at www.stamponnet.hongkongpost.com. For enquiries, customers can call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.
Launch of Local Standing Order Service (with photo)
********************************************************* Hongkong Post today announced its Stamp Issuing Programme for 2006 which consists of one definitive stamp set, 10 special stamp issues and other associated stamp products.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
The Postmaster General, Mr Allan Chiang, said the 2006 programme would be particularly appealing to stamp collectors as it would offer a range of new and innovative designs featuring several interesting aspects of Hong Kong as well as Mainland China. "Stamps with local themes include the '2006 Hong Kong Definitive Stamps', 'Special Attractions of the 18 Districts in Hong Kong', 'Government Transport' and 'The 140th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr Sun Yat-sen'," Mr Chiang said. "Through some stamp issues, such as 'Chinese Idioms and Their Stories' and 'International Day of Peace', young collectors in particular will be able to expand their knowledge as their curiosity is aroused through the fun of stamp collecting. All of these new stamps will add greater breadth and depth to the collection of fine Hong Kong stamps now available."
¡@¡@¡@¡@
Individual special stamps and stamp products will be available in different formats and at various prices. The 10 new sets of stamps will be released according to a carefully planned schedule throughout the year, beginning on January 15 with the "Year of the Dog" in celebration of Chinese New Year. Details of each stamp issue will be announced closer to the date of issue.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
Of particular interest to younger members of the public will be an innovative design by Hong Kong youngsters. In December, 2004, children were invited to submit designs for a set of stamps entitled "Children Stamps - Dress Bear Up" and the winning designs will be issued on March 30. These designs show the creativity of youngsters in Hong Kong and the success of the stamp design competition shows that stamp design and collecting are activities that are both great fun and educational to youngsters.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
Another stamp issue which is bound to gain attention will be that made jointly with Austria, the first postal administration in the world to issue stamps made with crystals. The "Hong Kong, China - Austria Joint Issue on Fireworks" represents another first since it uses crystal fabric, which incorporates very small sized crystals similar to grains of sand. Hongkong Post's innovative approach to seeking and developing new ideas for stamps not only makes them attractive to users, but also adds value for collectors.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
Two sets of Postage Prepaid Postcards will be issued to mark two highlights of the year, the "9th World Firefighters Games 2006" and "ITU Telecom World 2006", both significant international events which will be hosted by Hong Kong.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
In addition, three sets of special stamp sheetlets will be issued in 2006 - one in January and two in May - which will be of special interest to stamp collectors. The new stamps and stamp products will be available to the public at all post offices. Issue dates are tentative and changes, if necessary, will be announced in due course.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
"At Hongkong Post, we are proud of next year's stamp issuing programme and believe that philatelists will definitely look forward to the new designs for their novelty and originality, as well as a way to increase their pleasure and the value of their collections," Mr Chiang said.
Launch of 2006 Local Standing Order Service
Mr Chiang described the Local Standing Order Service (LSOS) as the easiest and most convenient way of collecting Hong Kong stamps. "Starting from today (September 9), customers can order the 2006 stamp issues and related products in advance. With LSOS, there is no need to queue at post offices on the issue dates. LSOS customers can also enjoy various incentive schemes with attractive souvenir items that are not for public sale. To enjoy these incentives, customers have to submit their orders for 2006 stamp products before October 3, 2005."
¡@¡@¡@¡@
The incentive offers include six separate schemes, two of which are specially provided for young collectors. Collectors can redeem gifts against bonus points awarded for purchases of stamps. Customers are offered a choice of different order plans, payment options and delivery modes to collect their Hong Kong stamp orders.
¡@¡@¡@¡@
The service guide and application form for the 2006 LSOS will be available at all post offices from today and at 'The Commercial Press' bookstores from today until to October 3, 2005. Customers can return completed application forms to any post office (except Mobile Post Offices), by post to the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau, or online at www.stamponnet.hongkongpost.com. For enquiries, customers can call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.
Ends/Friday, September 9, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:48
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