Birth of a Stamp
Hongkong Post issues ten interesting and beautiful stamps every
year. They range widely in design and theme and attract great interest
from stamp collectors.
But when you're appreciating these stamps, have you ever considered
the different processes they have gone through - from the initial
design concept to the final release of the stamps?
Each year, Hongkong Post invites suggestions for postage stamp
themes 18 months ahead of issue from district boards, various government
departments and related organisations such as Hong Kong Tourism
Board, and Universities etc. These ideas are considered by the Stamp
Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC also considers proposals made
by members of the public, who write to the Postmaster General from
time to time.
The Stamp Advisory Committee
The SAC is chaired by the Postmaster General and comprises nine
members:
- Prominent local citizens
- Professional graphic designer
- Philatelic expert
- Representative from the Home Affairs Bureau and
- Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service
They represent a reasonably broad cross-section of Hong Kong, so
that a balance is maintained in the views of stamp themes and designs
to be selected. Committee members are appointed for two-year terms.
Generally speaking, they are allowed a maximum of three consecutive
appointments.
After the themes have been selected by the SAC and approved by
the Secretary for Home Affairs, Hongkong Post commissions several
designers to submit designs on each theme. This is then presented
to the SAC for comment. After the designs have been selected by
SAC and by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Hongkong Post will arrange
tender for stamp printing.
As stamps are similar to monetary notes, printing has to be undertaken
by a security printer, printers that have manufactured stamps for
Hong Kong include leading security printers in Mainland China, UK,
Australia, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, the USA
and Germany... etc. Hongkong Post spends about 18 months in the
preparation and printing of stamps - roughly twice the gestation
period of a baby!
Functions of the Stamp Advisory Committee
The functions of the Stamp Advisory Committee are to advise the
Postmaster General on the following:
- The stamp themes and designs to be submitted for approval of
the Secretary for Home Affairs
- Other related issues
Members of the current Stamp Advisory Committee are:
| Role |
Name |
Occupation |
Date of
1st Appointment
|
Date of Reappointment |
| Ex-officio |
| Chairman |
Mr. CHAN Yau-fung, JP |
Acting Postmaster General |
25 October 2008 |
N.A. |
| Member |
Mr. LUM Kwok-keung, Jacky |
Principal Assistant Secretary (1)
Home Affairs Bureau
|
7 July 2008 |
N.A. |
Mrs.Yeung Ho Poi-yan, Ingrid, JP |
Deputy Secretary (Civil Service)1
Civil Service Bureau |
15 October 2008 |
N.A. |
Secretary &
Contact with SAC
|
Ms. Vivien S.F. LEE |
General Manager, Stamps and Philately
Hongkong Post
Room 1706, 17/F, ING Tower, 308-320 Des Voeux Road Central,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel : 2921 2275
Fax : 2530 2618
Email : vivien_lee@hkpo.gov.hk |
9 November 2006 |
N.A. |
| Non-government representatives |
| Member |
Miss LAU Man-man, Lisa, MH, JP |
Creative Director
GAL Graphics Consultants Limited |
20 April 2004 |
20 April 2008 |
Ms. NG Yuk-shun, Julie |
Company Director
Alex Ltd., Express Shipping Agency Co. Ltd. and Shaw Brothers Ltd. |
20 April 2004 |
20 April 2008 |
Mr. POON Cho-yiu, Ronald |
Managing Director
Ronald Poon Consultants Limited |
20 April 2004 |
20 April 2008 |
| Mr. TSANG Kee-kung, MH |
Principal
Kiangsu-Chekiang College (Kwai Chung) |
20 April 2004 |
20 April 2008 |
Mr. KO Kwong-leung, Alex |
President
The China Philatelic Association |
20 April 2006 |
20 April 2008 |
| Professor LAM Hin-tong, Yanta |
Professor of Design
School of Design
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hung Hom
Kowloon |
20 April 2008 |
N.A. |
| Miss PANG Chuk Nga, Gladys |
|
20 April 2006 |
20 April 2008 |
Attendance of Members of Stamp Advisory Committee Meeting
| |
14.10.2008 |
| Chairman: |
Mr. TAM Wing-pong, JP |
|
 |
| Members: |
Mr. KO Kwong-leung, Alex |
|
|
| |
Professor LAM Hin-tong, Yanta |
|
 |
| |
Ms. LAU Man-man, Lisa, MH |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ms. PANG Chuk-nga, Gladys |
|
|
| |
Mr. Lum Kwok-keung, Jacky |
|
|
| |
 |
| Secretary: |
Ms. Vivien S.F. LEE |
|
|
|
- |
present |
|
- |
absent with apologies |
|
- |
represented by representative |
Agenda for SAC Meeting
14 October (Tuesday) at 2:30pm in Conference Room, 4/F, GPO
- Confirmation of Notes of Meeting on 15 July 2008
- Matters Arising:
2.1. Stamp theme and designs for 2009
2.2. Stamp theme and designs for 2010
- Any other business
|
