Cutoff date set for sale of 'old' stamps
Post offices have made special efforts to cater for the expected stampede of philatelists buying up 'last day' covers of stamps bearing the portrait of the Queen.
Postmaster-General Robert Footman yesterday announced the 'old' stamps were being withdrawn from general sale.
From closing time on January 25, the current stamps will no longer be available across the counter. They can, however, be used until June 30.
Rare 'last day' covers will be on sale for $2 each from Friday until next Thursday.
All 125 Post Office branches will stay open on Sunday, January 26, when the first day covers of 'neutral designs with no connotation of sovereignty' go on sale.
The Queen is to be replaced by a harbour scene in the new set of 16 denominations.
When placed next to each other, the low value set of 13 stamps displays a continuous stretch of the harbour by day. The three larger, high value stamps show Hong Kong by night.
The two souvenir sheets of the stamps - designed by Kan Tai-keung - will be sold for $22 and $80 respectively.
New presentation packs, aerograms and a special postmark will also be introduced on January 26.
