Hongkong Post to issue "100 Years of Numbered Typhoon Signals" Commemorative Stamps

Hongkong Post announced today (May 29) the issue of a set of commemorative stamps on the theme of "100 Years of Numbered Typhoon Signals", together with associated philatelic products, on June 13 (Tuesday).

Typhoon signals, originally devised for the marine community, have been widely adopted for general use. In 1917, numbered typhoon signals indicating the wind direction and wind strength associated with tropical cyclones first came into use in Hong Kong for the purpose of warning the public. At first, there were only Signal Nos.

1 to 7. After several enhancements, the signals were replaced with Signal Nos. 1 to 10 in 1931.

Signal Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were used intermittently afterwards before becoming obsolete in the late 1930s. In 1956, Strong Wind Signal No.

3 was introduced. The whole numbered signal system was modified again in 1973 and this system has been used since then. The year 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the introduction of numbered typhoon signals in Hong Kong.

Hongkong Post is issuing a set of five stamps and a stamp sheetlet to commemorate the occasion.

This set of five stamps depicts the numbered typhoon signal system in use today. Each stamp features a typhoon signal, namely Standby Signal No. 1 ($1.70), Strong Wind Signal No.

3 ($2.20), Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 ($2.90), Increasing Gale or Storm Signal No. 9 ($3.70) and Hurricane Signal No.

10 ($5), all printed with Braille ink to highlight the theme. The stamp sheetlet displays the hoisting of Hurricane Signal No. 10 in the old days at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters on the left, and the numbered typhoon signal systems adopted in 1917, 1931 and 1973 on the right, narrating the evolution of the numbered typhoon signal system over the past century.

Official First Day Covers will be on sale at $1.30 each at all post offices from May 31.

The stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from May 31 to June 6.

Information about this commemorative stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on Hongkong Post's website at http://www.hongkongpost.hk/en/home/index.html