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Hongkong Post today (December 29) announced that a set of special stamps on the theme of Year of the Ox would be issued on January 17 (Saturday). A series of associated stamp products will also be put on sale from that date.
The set of "Year of the Ox" special stamps adopts five-colour printing to accentuate the three-dimensional effect, and to enhance the image detail of the cattle against a background of hillside and pasture in silver colour. In addition, a stamp sheetlet with two stamps featuring the Rat and the Ox embossed and hot-foiled with genuine gold and 99.9% pure silver, will come with a certificate of authenticity, making the sheetlet a precious gift for the Lunar New Year.
The stamps and stamp sheetlet will be displayed at the General Post Office and Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Shatin Central post offices from January 3, 2009.
Official First Day Covers for the "Year of the Ox" special stamps, and Official Souvenir Covers for the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat/ Ox", will be on sale at $1 each at all post offices as from Saturday (January 3). Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from January 3-9.
On January 17, all philatelic offices will extend their operating hours until 5pm, except for the General Post Office and Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office which will maintain their normal Saturday operating hours until 6pm, and also Airport Post Office until 8.30pm. There will be no extension of business hours at the non-philatelic offices.
Further information about the issues and the sale of associated philatelic products can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.com, at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
Ends/Monday, December 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:46
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