Hongkong Post announced today (June 15) that a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Hong Kong Palace Museum" will be released for sale on June 30 (Thursday).

     Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will offer a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision in presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other leading cultural institutions. Hongkong Post will issue a set of six stamps and two stamp sheetlets under the theme "Hong Kong Palace Museum". Featuring exhibits from the Palace Museum, these stamps demonstrate the profound achievements of Chinese civilisation, and promote the study and appreciation of the country's arts and culture by members of the public.

     The design of the set of six stamps is based on the concept that "heaven is round and the earth is square". The individual stamps showcase exhibits, namely "Two Ladies by a Moon Gate, Qing Dynasty", "Dish with Narcissus, Yuan Dynasty", "Cup in the Shape of a Raft with Seated Figure, Yuan Dynasty", "Mirror with Polo Players, Tang Dynasty", "Zhao Mengfu, Mounted Official, Yuan Dynasty" and "Headrest in the Shape of a Reclining Boy, Northern Song Dynasty", that are complimented by geometric patterns. The combination of six stamps artfully forms a square. Two exhibits - "Cup and Tray with Flowers, Qing Dynasty" and "Jar with Fish and Aquatic Plants, Ming Dynasty" - are individually presented on each stamp sheetlet against a background of golden yellow and vermilion. Golden yellow represents the royalty and prosperous history of the Forbidden City, while vermilion resembles the red walls of the palace complex, enriching the stamp design and making the items precious collectibles.

     Official first day covers for "Hong Kong Palace Museum" will be put on sale at all post offices from tomorrow (June 16), and on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall "ShopThruPost" (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products (including first day covers, mint stamps, sheetlets and mini-panes) will be on sale at all post offices and "ShopThruPost" from June 30, while collector packs, postage prepaid picture cards (air mail) and serviced first day covers will be available at philatelic offices only.

     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on June 30 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. To observe social distancing and to avoid people gathering at the post offices, collection points will be set up at all post offices on the same day for submission of the covers requesting hand-back date-stamping service. Customers will be advised on the collection schedule upon acceptance of the covers.

     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) and in the "ShopThruPost" mobile app.

Ends/Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:35

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