News
25 October 2004
Hong Kong's mushrooms praised on Hongkong Post stamps
The people of Hong Kong have come to recognise what a wonderful thing nature is and are beginning to place greater emphasis upon Hong Kong's ecosystem and its natural beauty. Hong Kong is very fortunate to enjoy a wide range of fungi which grow freely in its country parks and open spaces.
In recognition of this, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four special stamps on Fungi on 23 November 2004. These colourful stamps offer a stylised representation of some of the better-known mushrooms found in Hong Kong and will be of great interest not only to stamp collectors, but also to all members of the general public who enjoy nature.
The new Mint Stamps will appear in various denominations, the Straw Mushroom at $1.40, the Red-orange Mushroom at $2.40, the Violet Marasmius at $3.00 and the Lingzhi at $5.00. A convenient Souvenir Sheet comprising a complete set of the four stamps will be available for keen collectors at a price of $11.80. An enticing Stamp Sheetlet featuring the Hexagon Fungus together with selected elements from the other four stamp images will also be available at $5.00.
The Postmaster General, Mr. Allan CHIANG, stated: "It is always our aim to provide the very best in every service to our customers. In this year's public perception survey, 98% of philatelists said they were satisfied or very satisfied with our services and they perceived that Hongkong Post provides outstanding value for money services. With the release of these new stamps, we ensure that this tradition of quality is maintained and also bring alive for the people of Hong Kong the beauty of the place in which we live."
The stamps are designed by local artist Mr. Ken LI and printed by Joh. Ensched B.V. in the Netherlands.
The stamps will be displayed at General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Shatin Central post offices from 2 November 2004. Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing of self-provided souvenir covers will be accepted at all post offices from 2 to 8 November 2004.
A hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices on 23 November 2004 for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
The GPO-1 postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.
On 23 November 2004, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmark. Separate instructions on detailed operational and staffing arrangements will be issued by respective retail business managers.
Further information about this issue and the sale of associated philatelic products can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.com or at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
| Products | Unit Selling Price | Sales Restriction Per Queuing Customer |
|---|---|---|
| Mint Stamps (4 denominations) | $1.40, $2.40, $3, $5 | 10 sheets of stamps of each denomination(viz. 250 stamps of each denomination) |
| Souvenir Sheet (with 1 set of 4 stamps) | $11.80 | 20 sheetlets |
| Stamp Sheetlet (containing a $5 stamp) | $5 | 20 sheetlets |
| Postage Prepaid Picture Cards (Air Mail) (a set of 4 cards) | $20 | 5 sets |
| Presentation Pack (with 1 set of 4 stamps and a stamp sheetlet) | $25 | 5 packs |
| Serviced First Day Cover affixed with 1 set of 4 stamps and datestamped with the special postmark (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 23 November 2004) | $15.30 | 5 covers |
| Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a Souvenir Sheet and datestamped with the special postmark (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 23 November 2004) | $15.30 | 5 covers |
| Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a Stamp Sheetlet and datestamped with the special postmark(only available at 39 philatelic offices on 23 November 2004) | $8.50 | 5 covers |
The enclosed photograph shows "Fungi" Special Postmark to be issued on 23 November 2004.
The enclosed photograph shows "Fungi" Special Stamp to be issued on 23 November 2004.