Stamp News | Philately News | Postage Stamp | philately » Hongkong

Year of Dragon – Hongkong

srmodh — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:55:28 +0000

The use of animals to mark the 12 components of the Lunar New Year cycle originates from the Chinese Lunar Calendar, dating back more than 2,000 years. The 12 symbolic animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Traditionally, each lunar year is named after an animal. This, coupled with the combination of ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, forms the Jiazi (60 years) cycle.

2012 is the Year of the Dragon. In traditional Chinese culture, the Dragon is an auspicious, mythical creature incarnated as an emperor, representing supreme power and commanding great respect. It is believed that people born in the Year of the Dragon are confident, courageous and clever.

The “Year of the Dragon” is the first Lunar New Year special stamp issue in the fourth series released by Hongkong Post. The four stamps depict the Dragon in various forms – a fire dragon spiked with glowing joss sticks ($1.40), a glittering statue of a golden dragon ($2.40), a spirited dragon performing the traditional dragon dance ($3) and a lifelike dragon engraved on a stone wall ($5). The focus of the stamp sheet let falls on the flying dragon that rides on the clouds and travels through the mist, delivering a sense of solemnity and holiness. Rendered in vibrant colours, the stamps are decorated with gold foiled auspicious clouds to convey an air of festivity. Hongkong Post also launches its first-ever silk stamp sheet let for the occasion. A symbol of nobility and elegance, silk is perfect for highlighting the imperial grandeur of a soaring dragon, which heralds a blissful Year of the Dragon.

Title: Year of Dragon – Hongkong
Date of Issue: 14 January 2012
Country: Hongkong
Denominations: $1.40, $2.40, $3, $5

Source: http://www.hongkongpoststamps.com

Hong Kong Museums Collection

srmodh — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:05:35 +0000

Hong Kong enjoys a vast cultural landscape, boasting museums of various kinds with a rich array of magnificent exhibits. Hongkong Post issued its first set of “Hong Kong Museums Collection” special stamps in 2009, with the theme of Chinese calligraphy and painting. The second set on Hong Kong’s culture and history is now released to present treasures from the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and the Dr. & Mrs. Hung Hin Shiu Museum of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University. This set of six stamps showcases six traditional articles, taking you on a trip down memory lane to savour a taste of life back then.

$1.40 – Forehead Headdress
The forehead headdress, adorned with pheasant tail feathers and elaborate fringes, is an accessory mainly for female martial roles in Cantonese opera. This forehead headdress was worn by Ms Ng Kwan Lai during her performance in the opera The Sounds of Battle in the 1970s.

$1.80 – Qipao (1920s – 1930s)
In the early 20th century, upper-class women in China improved the early qipao based on Western-style clothes, creating a design with shorter length, tighter waistline and a high collar. Retaining these tailoring features, the qipao became fashionable ladies’ wear in the 1930s.

$2.40 – Silver Footed Bowl Decorated in Repousse
This silver bowl is typical of the export silverware made in Hong Kong during the late 19th century. It adopts a western form, but is decorated with exuberant Chinese motifs including pavilions and figures characteristic of the time.

$2.50 – Sequined Reversible Palace Costume
This costume was worn by Ms Fong Yim Fun during her performance in the opera The Marriage of Hung Luen in 1957. The principle female role, Hung Luen, first appeared as a fairy wearing a yellow sequined robe. In the scene of “transformation”, the robe was suddenly turned into a red sequined palace costume decorated with colourful satin “canopy” ribbons. The dual design of the outfit was used to symbolise the character’s magical power of transformation.

$3 – Green Glazed Barrel for Herbal Tea
In the old days, herbal tea shops in Hong Kong mostly used ceramic or copper barrels to hold the brew. This green glazed barrel is an example. As time has gone by, these barrels are not seen anymore.

$5 – Baby-carrier with Head Support
A traditional Chinese baby-carrier is usually a square of fabric with long straps extending from each of the four corners. Auspicious motifs are embroidered on the centre piece. Some baby-carriers are made with a head support to protect the baby’s head and neck and block out the sunlight.

Title: Hong Kong Museums Collection
Date of Issue: 6 December 2011
Country: Hong Kong
Denominations: $1.40, $1.80, $2.40, $2.50, $3, $5

Source: http://www.hongkongpoststamps.com

HongKong, China – Romania Joint Issue on Handicraft

srmodh — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:48 +0000

Handicraft is the art of creating decorative and utility items completely by hand or with simple tools. The emphasis is on craftsmanship. The cultural significance of handicraft is the preservation of heritage and traditional techniques. Hongkong Post and Romfilatelia jointly issue a set of two stamps on handicrafts to showcase masterpieces from the two places, highlighting the vitality of the art form. This marks the eleventh joint stamp issue between Hongkong Post and other postal administrations.

Handicraft from Hong Kong, China – Dough Figurines
Dough figurine making has a long history in China and is an enchanting Chinese folk art. The major ingredient of the dough is wheat flour. Figurine makers, with superb skills and creative talents, turn the dough into lifelike figurines and paint them to make them more vivid. Simple tools such as a pair of small scissors, a comb, some bamboo splints and a bone needle are used to add details to the dough. The sophistication lies in the manual stretching, rolling, cutting and assembling. Legendary heroes and mythical beasts are finely crafted to be loved by many, old and young alike. Among different designs and themes of dough making is the lion’s head, the choice to symbolise luck and blessings on festive occasions.

Handicraft from Romania – Painted Eggs
Easter is the most important Christian festival for Romanians. Starting on Holy Thursday, women and children gather to spend all day painting eggs in a multitude of colours. This custom is very old in Romania and is a symbol of spring and the rebirth of nature. In old times, a painted egg was believed to have magic powers. Each colour or pattern used to decorate the egg was meant to combat a certain form of evil. Even today, Romanians still believe that painted eggs can bring good luck and protection for their homes. Painted eggs remain a highly recognisable example of Romanian art. The stamp shows egg painting with melted wax and a pencil-like tool called the “chi?i??”.

Title: HongKong, China – Romania Joint Issue on Handicraft
Date of Issue: 24 November 2011
Country: Hongkong
Denominations: $5 x 2

Source: http://www.hongkongpoststamps.com

170th Anniversary of Hong Kong Postal Service

srmodh — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 23:11:42 +0000

The first post office in Hong Kong was opened on 25 August 1841, heralding the beginning of the local postal service. In response to subsequent socio-economic developments, our postal service has moved with the times, ever expanding and innovating to meet public demand. The year 2011 marks the 170th anniversary of postal services in Hong Kong. Hongkong Post issues a stamp sheetlet to commemorate the occasion.

Established in 1841, we are one of the oldest government departments in Hong Kong. For more than a century and a half, we have carried on the fine tradition of providing an efficient and reliable postal service at a reasonable price, earning recognition both at home and abroad. In 1995, we converted to a trading fund operation. We have succeeded in building a good corporate image by promoting a quality service culture, living up to our purpose statement of “Linking People, Delivering Business”.

The stamp sheetlet is divided into three parts. The buildings on the left and in the middle depict the old General Post Office set up in 1911 and the current General Post Office opened since 1976 respectively, with a shift of colour in the background from brownish red to light green, to echo the old red and new green posting boxes in the foreground, suggesting the passage of time. On the right, the globe surrounded by service brands of Hongkong Post and the “hummingbird” logo symbolises innovation and improvement in our service delivery to the world. The red Victorian Pillar-type posting box with the longest history (cast between 1837 and 1901) on the stamp is juxtaposed with its green modern version. The superimposed postmarks of 1841 and 2011 serve as a reminder of the 170 years of postal service in Hong Kong.

Title: 170th Anniversary of Hong Kong Postal Service
Date of Issue: 25 August 2011
Country: Hongkong
Denominations: HK$10

Source: www.hongkongpoststamps.com

If you like this post, please say it in the comment!!!

Year of the Rabbit – Hongkong

srmodh — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:44:01 +0000

This is the twelfth Lunar New Year special stamp issue in the third series released by Hongkong Post. The first and second sets of special stamps for the Year of the Rabbit were issued in 1975 and 1987 respectively.
Lunar New Year is the most important Chinese festivity that follows a 12-year Chinese Zodiac cycle.

In traditional Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of agility and acuity. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle, kind and quick-witted.

The four stamps, in denominations of $1.40, $2.40, $3.00 and $5.00, vividly portray four different breeds of cuddly rabbits. Five-colour printing is used to capture the gradation of light and shade, highlighting the adorable rabbits against a background of silver foliage.

The First Day Cover design aptly combines paper-cutting with computer aided drawing. The paper-cut pattern lends a note of festivity, and the lively rabbit in the foreground heralds the Year of the Rabbit.

Title: Year of the Rabbit – Hongkong
Date of Issue: 22 January 2011
Country: Hongkong
Denominations: $1.40, $2.40, $3.00 and $5.00

Source: www.hongkongpoststamps.com

Hong Kong in My Eyes

srmodh — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:45:18 +0000

Hongkong post issued a special stamps featuring the winning pieces of the Children Stamp Design Competition 2009 – Hong Kong in my Eyes organised by Hongkong Post.

The winning pieces are presented in a set of 4 stamps capturing the beauty of Victoria Harbour, a variety of local delicacies and the festivity of a dragon dance in colourful paint.

Title: Hong Kong in My Eyes
Date of Issue: 21 October 2010
Country: Hongkong
Denominations: HK $ 1.40,$2.40, $3, $5

Source: www.hongkongpoststamps.com

International Year of Biodiversity Hong Kong

srmodh — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:34:47 +0000

The United Nations declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity to promote the awareness of ecological balance. In response to this meaningful endeavour, Hongkong Post dedicates this edition to living creatures inhabiting Hong Kong with a set of 4 stamps displaying images of species endemic to Hong Kong.

Title: International Year of Biodiversity Hong Kong
Date of Issue: 15 July 2010
Country: Hong Kong
Denominations: $1.40, $2.40, $3, $5

Source: www.hongkongpoststamps.com

If you like this post, please say it in the comment!!!

Characteristic Streets in Hong Kong

srmodh — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:09:35 +0000

As a melting pot where east meets west and tradition blends with modernity, Hong Kong has many streets of individual character. Hongkong Post has specially selected 6 distinctive ones to constitute a set of 6 stamps. These snapshots give a sense of nostalgia to Hong Kong people.

Title: Characteristic Streets in Hong Kong
Date of Issue: 24 June 2010
Country: Hong Kong
Denominations: $1.40, $1.60, $2.60, $2.60, $3.00, $3.00

Source: www.hongkongpoststamps.com

If you like this post, please say it in the comment!!!

London 2010 International Philatelic Exhibition

srmodh — Tue, 11 May 2010 02:44:43 +0000

Hongkong Post issued an exquisite stamp sheetlet as the celebration of Hongkong Post’s participation in London 2010 International Philatelic Exhibition.

Title: London 2010 International Philatelic Exhibition
Date of Issue: 8 May 2010
Country: Hongkong
Denominations: $ 10

Source: www.hongkongpoststamps.com

If you like this post, please say it in the comment!!!

Year of the Tiger – Hongkong

srmodh — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:24:44 +0000

The heroic tiger plays a leading role in the eleventh issue of the third Lunar New Year series issued by Hongkong Post. This set of 4 stamps illustrates 4 breeds of tigers in different postures – sprinting, patrolling, gazing and lounging.

Bid farewell to the “Year of the Ox” and welcome the “Year of the Tiger”! Embossed and hot-foiled with genuine 24K and 22K gold as well as 99.9% silver, this special edition is so enchanting that you can hardly bear to put it down.

Title: Year of the Tiger
Date of Issue: 6 February 2010
Country: HongKong
Denominations: $1.40, $2.40, $3.00, $5.00

If you like this post, please say it in the comment!!!