************************************************************
A set of two Postage Prepaid Postcards Series No. 17 and No. 18 will be issued on February 18 to commemorate Hong Kong's hosting of the 9th World Firefighters Games 2006 from February 18 to 25, 2006, the Postmaster General, Mr Allan Chiang, announced today (February 11). The Games, widely regarded by the world's firefighting community as their mini Olympics, aims to promote comradeship and sportsmanship among fire personnel from all over the world.
The two Postage Prepaid Postcards can be sent via air mail without the need to affix an additional stamp. On both Postcards Series No. 17 & No. 18, the front side depicts the images of Firefighters and Ambulance Officers in silhouette. The emblem of the Games is prominently displayed in colour and the skyline of Hong Kong Island is outlined in silver.
Commenting on this special postcard issue, Mr Chiang said Hong Kong was pleased to be Asia's first city to host this significant international event, and Hongkong Post was delighted to commemorate this important milestone for Asia's world city with a unique postal product.
The postcards are designed by Mr Clement Yick and printed by the Government Logistics Department. The selling price is $10 per set of two postcards. The postcard set will be available for sale from February 18 at the General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan, Shatin Central and Tuen Mun Central post offices, while stocks last. There is a sales restriction of five sets per queuing customer.
A hand-back datestamping service will be provided for the official postcards and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
A special postmark will also be introduced. The hand-back datestamping service arrangements are as follows:
Date: February 18, 2006 (Saturday)
Available Postmark for Hand-backDatestamping Service: Special Postmark, GPO-1 Postmark, "Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau" Postmark
Venue: The General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Shatin Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun post offices (during normal office hours) / Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau (9am-5pm)
Date: February 18, 2006 (Saturday)
Available Postmark for Hand-backDatestamping Service: Philatelic Office Pictorial Postmark
Venue: The General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui, Shatin Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun post offices (during normal office hours)
Further information about this issue can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.com, at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
Ends/Saturday, February 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:01
NNNN