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This non-copyrighted article may be reproduced in any philatelic publication as long as the author's name, original source publication and the CAC's on-line web address is listed.
by Tom Fortunato
Chairman, APS Chapter Activities Committee
stamptmf@frontiernet.net
The last few days of independent Hong Kong were a philatelic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or a nightemare,
depending on one's point of view. The "thunder" came from collectors and speculators alike lining
at up at 22 post offices for the latest stamp issues.
Above is the last philatelic issue from British Hong Kong. This souvenir sheet was sold only between the hours of 8-2 on June 28. Although difficult to see, it bears the royal cypher of QEII, making it invalid for postage by 12:01 AM on July 1, the time of the official transfer of the territory to China. The special postmark was available on a hand-back basis for collectors July 28 at all post offices and July 29-30 at special philatelic branches. There was a limit of 10 per person for this sheet.
The first issues of Chinese Hong Kong were spawned on July 1 along with the commemorative postmark (if desired) depicted here. It, too, bore a HK $5 stamp in a souvenir sheet, worth about US 65 cents at face value. Only 20 souvenir sheets per person could be purchased. Six additional stamps of various denominations were also on sale.
Hong Kong stamps continue to be popular throughout the Far East, especially in its new motherland, China. With a bustling secondary market for new Hong Kong issues, often at rates of 5-10 times face value, is it any wonder that the Hong Kong Post Office warned patrons that stamp values can eventually go down as well as up?
By the way, the entire Hong Kong region received torrential rains for more than a week after their day in the spotlight. Hope all collectors there are storing their treasures in a dry place! Happy stamping!
