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

4 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, silk stamp sheet, 4 red envelopes, 4 sheets of 25, 2 “Heart-warming greetings” stamps on sheets of 12 (local and airmail available), 3 FDCs, 3 prestige covers, cancel 
Lithography, lithography with hot foil stamping. Silk paper with security fibres, Lithography plus spot varnishing (mini panes)

“Heart-warming Greetings” stamps have a label attached to the stamp through a special order that will  print a personal photo.  

Designer: KAN Tai-keung 靳埭强

Release date:  January 10, 2023

Bidding Goodbye to the Tiger

Gold and Silver Souvenir Sheet, presentation pack, 2 FDCs, cancel  
silver foil and gold plating
Year of Tiger stamp: Lithography plus silver hot foil stamping
Year of Rabbit stamp:  Lithography plus 22-carat gold-plated lace metal

Designer: KAN Tai-keung 靳埭强

Release date:  January 10, 2023

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

4 stamps, presentation pack, 2 FDCs, cancel
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 sheets of 12 (48 different stamps), presentation pack, 8 FDCs (4 FDCs, 4 prestige covers)
lithography

Designer: KAN Tai-keung 靳埭强

Release date:  January 10, 2023

February

Seasonal Trees in Hong Kong

4 stamps, souvenir sheets, 4 sheets of 25, 2 FDCs, cancel, presentation pack
Lithography

“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 – Meditation House– Jingguanlou

6 stamps, 2 mini sheets, 3 FDCs, cancel, small sheet of 12, folder set,  airmail postcards,
lithography

The House was donated to the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 2021 as a private collection by renowned collector and photographer Dr Wong Kwai-kuen. Taken from the Northern Song Dynasty philosopher Cheng Hao’s famous phrase “All things are self-satisfied”, the collection focuses on 1892th century Chinese painting and calligraphy, mainly covering the treasures of famous calligraphy and paintings of the Shanghai School, among which the three major painters Zhu Yizhan (1996-1910), Xie Zhiliu (1997-1923) and Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020) “Hong Kong Collection Selection – Contemplation Building” Special Stamp (hongkongpost.hk)

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

• Zhu Qizhan  (1892 – 1996)
• Xie Zhiliu (1910 – 1997)
• Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)

Motifs on stamps:

• $2.20 stamp – Horizontally viewed into the ridge by Zhu Qizhan in 1982 – Ink coloring paper bucket (?) square
• $2.80 Stamp – Tan Shan Yuan by Xie Zhiliu in 1972 – Ink coloring paper vertical shaft
• $3.70 Stamp – Cold Mountains by Zhu Qizhan  in 1991- Ink coloring paper bucket (?) square Zhu Qizhan Mountain landscape | NGV
• $4 Stamp – Bamboo Bird Drawing by Xie Zhiliu, Chen Peiqiu in 1986 – Ink coloring vertical shaft on paper
• $5.40 Stamp – Gangnam March by Zhu Qizhan in 1983 – Ink coloring paper bucket (?) square
• $5.50 Stamp – Old Manuscript, New Catalogue by Chen Peiqiu in1999 – pages from their Twelve folios on ink and ink coloring on paper 
• $10 Stamp Sheetlet – Red Leaf Autumn Cicada Scroll by Chen Peiqiu in 1961- Ink Colored Silk Handscroll
• $20 Stamp Sheetlet – Chongling Valley by Xie Zhiliu in late 1950s – Ink Colored Paper Handscroll **Note: this stamp printed on taffeta paper

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. 

Designer: 伍廣圖 Wu Guangtu

Release date: March 23, 2023

April

A Tribute to Healthcare Workers

4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 4 sheets of 20
lithography

• Doctors and TCM Practitioners
• Nurse
• Other medical professionals
• Nursing Support Staff
• Sheet: healthcare workers fighting side by side with Hong Kong people

Designer: Tang Weipeng | 湯偉鵬

Release date: April 18, 2023

2023 Global New Year Celebration (Year of the Rabbit) Precious Stamp Book

This book includes Year of the Rabbit stamps from

• Hong Kong 
• China
• Macao
• Australia
• Isle of Man
• Japan
• France
• Liechtenstein
• New Zealand

Also included is a 24K gold-plated gold card using the January 2023 Year of the Rabbit souvenir sheet image. To see all the stamps available and details, see the pdf Hong Kong post released: PDF brochure & order form

Various designers

Release date: April 18, 2023

May

24 Solar Terms – Summer

6 stamps, souvenir sheet, 3 FDCs, cancel folder pack, sheets
lithography

This set of stamps will feature 6 summer themes;

• Summer Commences
• Corn Forms
• Corn on Ear
• Summer Solstice
• Moderate Heat
• Great Heat 

Twenty-four solar terms|Hong Kong Observatory (HKO)|calendar has an excellent explanation of the 24 solar terms:

The twenty-four solar terms are a general term that includes twelve medium qi and twelve solar terms, and the medium qi and solar terms are arranged in an intermediary manner. From the spring equinox onwards, the twelve mid-qi are the spring equinox, valley rain, small man, summer solstice, great summer, summer heat, autumn equinox, frost, light snow, winter solstice, great cold, and rain, which belong to the twelve months arranged by earth branches … The solar terms after the spring equinox are Qingming, and the following solar terms are Lixia, Mangchang, Xiaoxiao, Liqiu, Bailu, Hanlu, Lidong, Heavy Snow, Xiaohan, Lichun and Sting.

Designer: Li Shuwen | 黎淑雯

Release date: May 4, 2023

June

Toys of Hong Kong – 1970s to 1980s

6 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, souvenir folder, 6 sheets of 25
offset with partial varnish

Toy manufacturing was one of Hong Kong’s 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

 July

Intangible Cultural Heritage – Hong Kong-style Milk Tea Making Techniques

4 stamps, 4 sheets of 25, 2 souvenir sheets, sheetlet of 8, folder, 3 FDCs, cancel
embossed lithography

Traditional tea making techniques made the Intangible list in 2017

Designer: Li Yunying 黎琟櫻

Release date: July 23, 2023

Hong Kong Cultural and Arts Landmarks

6 stamps, 6 sheets of 25,1 stamp on souvenir sheet, sheetlet of 12, folder, 2 FDCs, cancel, 6 postcards (available pre stamped as well)
lithography

• Hong Kong Cultural Centre
• Hong Kong Museum of Art
• M+ museum of contemporary visual culture
• Hong Kong Palace Museum
• Xiqu Centre
• Hong Kong City Hall
• Tai Kwun (from souvenir sheet)

Designer: Peter Seung-ho 伍尚豪

Release date: July 23, 2023

September

10th Anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative

1 stamp on souvenir sheet, folder set, booklet, FDC, cancel
lithograph

Belt and Road Initiative．Hong Kong

China also issued a Belt and Road set in September as well:  

Designer: Lai Weijun 賴維鈞

Release date: September 7, 2023

Hong Kong Vegetables

6 stamps, 6 sheets of 25, souvenir sheet, folder, 2 FDCs, cancel
lithography

Designer: Liu Shaozeng 劉紹增

Release date: September 21, 2023