Hong Kong’s 2023 stamp program has appeared! It has everything from the Year of the Rabbit to a nostalgic look at toys. The early glimpse covers January to June, but not a lot of detail … yet. The program is still subject to change, so we may see more stamps released in the winter to spring cycle that aren’t on the early preview.

One theme missing is Local Snacks, much to my disappointment. The previous 2 years saw this favourite appear in the late spring, and it doesn’t look like it made the cut. Here’s hoping that changes as the year progresses.

As much as I love the Local Snacks series, it wasn’t my top pick for 2022. Its a tossup between the geometric layout of the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the pure beauty of Intangible Cultural Heritage – Hong Kong Chinese Kaftan Making Techniques.

The first set is appealing for its non-traditional, linear layout and exploration of Chinese history and culture. The second set for the delicate artwork on show. If I had to choose, I would pick … nope. Can’t pick just one set. They are both excellent examples of Hong Kong Post at its best.

As the year moves along, expect to see much more detail, including information on the designers. I’ve dug up some fascinating information already, but still need to do a bit of fact checking before adding it. One thing about dealing with international stamps, translations don’t always work, so I need to do extra checks on the details.

I’m looking forward to exploring 2023. As always, if you have a favourite leave a comment below. I love to hear what my readers think.

Cheers
Catpaw

January

Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit

This set will be available in single stamps, sheets, souvenir sheet, silk stamp sheet, presentation pack, airmail greeting card, mini panes (local post & airmail), special red packets, 4 FDCs, cancels

Designer: KAN Tai-keung 靳埭强

Release date: January 10, 2023

Bidding Goodbye to the Tiger

Gold and Silver Souvenir Sheet, presentation pack, 4 FDCs, cancel
silver foil and gold plating

Designer: KAN Tai-keung 靳埭强

Release date: January 10, 2023

Lunar New Year Animal Stamps – Rat / Ox / Tiger / Rabbit

4 stamps, will be available in a number of formats
lithography with silver hot foil stamping & embossing

Designer: KAN Tai-keung 靳埭强

Release date: January 10, 2023

Twelve Animals of the Lunar New Year Cycle Stamp Sheetlets

4 stamps, will be available in a number of formats

Designer: KAN Tai-keung 靳埭强

Release date: January 10, 2023

February

Seasonal Trees in Hong Kong

4 stamps on souvenir sheets

“Yellow Pui that blooms in spring, Jacaranda that blossoms in summer, Bald Cypress that turns golden in autumn and Bell-flower Cherry that endures the strong cold of winter” Hong Kong Philatelic Link Issue No. 24, November 2022

Release date: February 14, 2023

March

Hong Kong Museums Collection – Jingguanlou

6 stamps, 2 mini sheets.

20th c masters of Chinese paintings and calligraphy series will include the following artists:

Zhu Qizhan (1892-1996) Xie Zhiliu: On the Relationship between Poetry and Chinese Painting – Zhihu explores Zhu’s work and its relationship with poetry. Use Google translate. Good read, and offers a glimpse into Zhu’s creative process.

Xie Zhiliu (1910-1997) This is a good article on Xie’s life Mastering the Art of Chinese Painting | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)

I enjoyed the video below. It’s a good introduction to Xie’s work

Chen Peiqiu (1923-2020) The well-known calligrapher Chen Peiqiu passed away-China News Network video

The video below explores Chen’s work and contains extensive interviews with her, discussing her work. English subtitles available.

Release date: March 23, 2023

A Tribute to Healthcare Workers

4 stamps

Release date: April 18, 2023

May

24 Solar Terms – Summer

This set of stamps will feature 6 summer themes; “Summer Commences”, “Corn Forms”, “Corn on Ear”, “Summer Solstice”, “Moderate Heat” and “Great Heat”.

Release date: May 4, 2023

June

Toys of Hong Kong – 1970s to 1980s

6 stamps

Toy manufacturing was one of Hong Kongs top 4 industries in the 70s and 80s. The stamps feature Chinese Billiards, Spinning Tops, Alloy Toys, Rockets, Play Houses and Robots,

Releases date: June 13, 2023

You can see the 2021 and 2022 programs.

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