Year of the Rat special stamps herald the arrival of spring (with photos)

     To mark the beginning of the new year, Hongkong Post announced today (January 6) that it will issue its first set of special stamps "Year of the Rat" on January 11. While on the day of "Spring Commences", i.e. the 11th day of the first month on the lunar calendar which falls on February 4, the "24 Solar Terms – Spring" special stamp issue will be launched to herald the vibrancy of spring. The issue dates of the two sets of special stamps contain six figures of the number "1".  With the auspicious meanings it carries, Hongkong Post would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone all happiness, prosperity and every success in the year ahead.
 
     The "Year of the Rat" stamp issue this time brings a wide range of philatelic products, including a silk stamp sheetlet, a prestigious first day cover, a presentation pack and red packets that highlight the festivity of the new year. As the ninth issue of the fourth Lunar New Year special stamp series, the "Year of the Rat" continues to feature different art forms, showcasing clay, embroidery, ceramic and glass crafts of rats in a set of four stamps and a stamp sheetlet.
 
     The two Heartwarming Stamps (2020 Version) "Year of the Rat" mini-panes adopt the respective designs of the $2 and $4.90 mint stamps. On the same day, the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Pig/Rat" will also be launched as the eighth issue of the second series. The pig stamp is hot-foiled with silver, while the rat stamp is affixed with 22K gold-plated lace metal against a reddish-orange background with a lively and joyous pattern of prestigious peonies.
 
     "24 Solar Terms – Spring" is the first special stamp issue themed on the 24 solar terms launched by Hongkong Post. A set of six stamps is presented in brilliant colours to depict the six solar terms of spring. Arranged in tête – bêche pairs, it is the first time for Hongkong Post to issue semicircular stamps.
 
     Apart from the above stamp products, a newly designed 2020 souvenir cover will be put on sale at $1.50 at all philatelic offices, as well as Hongkong Post's online shopping mall "ShopThruPost" (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) starting from today.
 
     For the convenience of customers who wish to place additional orders for these special stamps and associated philatelic products without the need to visit any post office, a new round of online advance order services is now available on the "ShopThruPost" platform within the period from today until the respective issue dates of the stamp issues.
 
     Information about the special stamp issues and associated philatelic products is available on Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk and the Hongkong Post Mobile App.