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Deng and Thatcher (1982 – 1997)
Though the photo from this fateful 1982 meeting between Margaret Thatcher and Deng Xiao Ping is from PR China, the unused postcard was released by the Hong Kong Philatelic Society, stamped and postmarked on 1 July 1997 — the date of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule. The Chinese text translates as “China and Britain hold diplomatic negotiations on Hong Kong issue”. (“Negotiations” can be a flexible term.) Grade: 1
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Commemorating HONG KONG ’97 Stamp Exhibition
Issued by the Philatelic Bureau of Hong Kong Post Office, with pre-printed postage and a cancellation on 27 November 1996. The English version of the bilingual caption reads: “Hong Kong Post Office Hologram Postcard Series No. 6 to commemorate HONG KONG ’97 Stamp Exhibition from 12 to 16 February 1997”. What look like four stamps on the card’s front are not actual stamps. They are part of the design, including the hologram. Unused. Grade: 1
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HK Disneyland – Enjoy Summer Snow Day in Arendelle
The back of this unused card from our local park’s latest attraction makes it clear that it comes from Hong Kong Disneyland. The card is still in its original cello-wrap, with price tag and proof of sale tape on that wrap. Unusually, the wrap also bears a legend that “The Postcard is included International Postage.” and indeed the sales clerk pointed that out when we bought it. Grade: 1
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HK Disneyland – Sliding Sleighs
In other respects similar to our entry 203081079, unused and in its original wrap. As for the ride, sorry, but ugh. We waited 45 minutes in a confined queue resembling a cattle dip and settled in for this roller coaster that made a couple of turns and dips and was finished in about 30 seconds. Once was enough! Grade: 1
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HK Disneyland – World of Frozen
See also entry 203081079, with this “World of Frozen” one being the sort of “mother card” anchoring others in a limited range from Hong Kong Disneyland’s newest (as of now) attraction. Tick Tock Toys & Collectibles was the name of the shop where the card was sold. Unused. Grade: 1
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HK Disneyland – World of Frozen wooden postcard
The unused (wood) card measures about 4-7/8″ x 7-1/4″ and is still sealed inside its original wrapper, which has the original Park price tag and proof of sale tape attached. Our scan shows front and back. It may not be clear that the oval area is apparently able to be punched out and used as a pendant or some sort of decoration. The card bears reference number FAC-000492-23303 and warns that it is “not suitable for children under 3 years. Small parts.” in both English and Chinese. Grade: 1
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Lantau, Tian Tin (sic) Buddha, Po Lin Monastery
Correctly spelled Tian Tan, and appearing in this overview of the Ngong Ping 360 area on an unused, 4″ x 7-1/8″ card. Grade: 1
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Lantau, Po Lin Monastery
The site is arguably more famous for having the Big Buddha, which (we think) is where the photographer took this shot. Unused 5-1/8″ x 7″ card. Grade: 1
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Ngong Ping, The Big Buddha
Unused 5-1/8″ x 7″ card, and just FYI, Buddha is 34 meters high and weighs 250 tons. Grade: 1
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Lantau, The Big Buddha 57
Unused 5-1/8″ x 7″ card, and that “57” is the card’s own reference number. Grade: 1
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Ngong Ping 360 (set of 4)
A set of four different cards, unopened in its original cello-wrap with sales sticker and pricing intact. Our scan shows one of the four cards, all drawings and variations on that theme. Unused. Grade: 1
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Lantau, Tian Tin (sic) Buddha at Ngong Ping
Correctly spelled “Tian Tan” but nevertheless, lots to see on this unused, 4″ x 7-1/8″ card from 2017 and sourced at the site. Grade: 1
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Hong Kong Museums Collection – Selected Tea Ware (Set of 8)
Our scan shows you one of eight tea ware-themed cards in this set issued as “Postage Prepaid Picture Card Series No. 75” by Hongkong Post in 2024. They have pre-printed, coloured postage and a special philatelic cancellation. If by some chance you specialise in tea postcards, this set will anchor your collection. Grade: 1
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Victoria Harbour from Braemar Hill
Purportedly named after a Scottish village, Braemar Hill is 199-200 metres high and can be found near Hong Kong Island’s northeastern shoreline. It’s a 5-1/8″ x 7″ unused card in the original cello-wrap. Grade: 1
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Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Set of 6)
Issued by Hongkong Post in 2024, this set of six unused cards was not made readily available to the general public. We could only get it indirectly by application and purchase of other products up to a minimum value. The six cards, identically captioned as “‘Intangible Cultural Heritage – Cheung Chau Jiao Festival’ Special Stamps” on the back in English and Chinese, show various aspects of this colourful annual event that draws many thousands of spectators. There is something particularly special about the single card (representing all six) we show you here: for that story, see our entry 203081091B. The set also comes together with a sturdy 5-1/2″ x 8″ white plastic stand-up frame so you can display any of the individual cards. It’s unusual, and rare. Grade: 1
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Cheung Chau Bun Festival – philatelic incident
First, see our entry 203081091A just before this. The article comes from the Hong Kong Standard, a leading English-language newspaper, on 14th May 2024. Not sure if it’s clear enough to read or not, but apparently the designer of the stamp set (and therefore the associated postcards) included a rendition of a dragon dance that is definitely not part of the bun festival, and none of the editors caught that. This caused a tempest in a teapot, so to speak, and we felt lucky to get a set of those cards before they quietly disappeared. FYI!
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Sai Kung, Sunrise over Inner Port Shelter
As we’ve written many times, there’s more to Hong Kong than just Victoria Harbour. This 5-1/8″ x 7″ “Explore Sai Kung” postcard is unused. Grade: 1
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Sai Kung, Sharp Peak
Sharp Peak, or Nam She Tsim, is a hill inside Sai Kung East Country Park, north of Tai Long Wan. It reaches 468 metres above sea level. Unused “Explore Sai Kung” card. Grade: 1
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Declared Monuments in Hong Kong II (Set of 6)
Our scan shows one of the six cards in the set, issued in 2024 by Hongkong Post with acknowledgement to The Commissioner for Heritage’s Office and the Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Development Bureau. The unused set is in its original, sealed Cello-wrap. Grade: 1
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Declared Monuments in Hong Kong II (Set of 6) (Maximum Cards)
Our scan shows one of the six cards in the set, issued in 2024 by Hongkong Post with acknowledgement to The Commissioner for Heritage’s Office and the Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Development Bureau. The unused set is in its original, sealed Cello-wrap. It’s the same cards as our entry 203081094, except that these are maximum cards as you might see in the scan. Grade: 1
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Hong Kong Disneyland – Chip & Dale HK Heritage (Set of 8)
The local Disney group in Hong Kong made these quite difficult to get. It was worth the effort. Our scan shows the front and back cardboard covers of a set with eight cards (unused, still sealed) focusing on local Hong Kong themes. The original price sticker is still on the back of the cover but we’ve wiped out part of that in the scan so as not to confuse you. The set: Grade: 1
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50th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
This unused card — despite the unfortunate legend design — ticks a few boxes. It is Postage Prepaid Picture Card Series No. 10, issued by Hongkong Post on National Day (1 October) 1999, with coloured pre-printed postage and philatelic postmark. It was (who knows, maybe still is) eligible to be used for mailing worldwide without adding more postage. Grade: 1
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World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference
This event took place in 2005 and Hongkong Post issued this Postage Prepaid Postcard Series No. 15 to commemorate it. There’s pre-printed, coloured postage (and valid for global airmail use) with a clear philatelic cancellation. We were here in HK during this meeting. People calling themselves “Korean Farmers” ensured that it was noisy and violent throughout. Grade: 1
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Paris 2024, Team Hong Kong, China (Set of 4)
Our scan shows one of four unused cards in this set issued by Hongkong Post just as the Games started. The four sports represented are fencing, swimming, table tennis, and cycling; the principals on each card have a holographic effect. What makes these cards more special is that they were issued along with stamps (not included here) of the Games, but the postcards were not made available to the general public unless we subscribed to the annual stamp plan, for a hefty amount — which we did, so we could get the cards, We do not see the logic behind this, as they would have generated good revenue otherwise, but as people say, it is what it is. Grade: 1
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Multiple views
This card was mailed in Malaysia (not Hong Kong) in 1991, with stamp and mostly illegible postmark. It’s a Cheng Ho-Choy card V08, and the card is beginning to age. Grade: 3
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Hong Kong Icons (irregular shape)
Sturdy, unused card showing at least nine iconic Hong Kong images that anyone living there will recognise instantly. Grade: 1
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Shanghai Street (1970s)
We think this is an actual photograph, or it could be the most finely detailed artwork ever. Probably the former. Either way, it’s a contemporary, unused card. Grade: 1
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Hong Kong Posters
An amalgam of older community service and commercial posters from way back in the day, on this unused card. Grade: 1
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Yik Cheong Building (“Monster Building”)
From Wikipedia, slightly edited: “The Monster Building is a group of five connected buildings on King’s Road, Quarry Bay. It is a popular location for photography and has been used as inspiration for several filming locations. There are 2,243 units in five blocks with 18 floors in height. Currently, 10,000 people live in the complex.” We went to see. It’s impressive, and busy. Unused card. Grade: 1
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Choi Hung Estate
“Choi Hung” is Cantonese for “rainbow” and is the name of this public housing estate in Kowloon, opened in (roughly) 1963, and so named for obvious reasons. Unused, contemporary card. Grade: 1
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Our Home Kong
A stylized version of an older Peak Tram, superimposed on a view from Victoria Peak. All this on an unused, contemporary card. Grade: 1
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Fascinated by 120
Trams in Hong Kong are individually numbered, and more than a few people try to record riding each one. Hong Kong Tramways has taken Tram 120 and retro-designed it to look like older versions, and it has become a sort of focal point for “spot the tram” enthusiasts. Because there are relatively few tram lines, this is not too hard, but takes patience. Unused card. Grade: 1
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Tram 120 (not a postcard)
As we do when we can, we compare old(er) and new. We took this photo of arguably one of the most famous individual trams in December 2024, to show you what it looks like now. Reminder: this is not a postcard.
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HK Tramways 120th Anniversary (Green)
The trams are green by default, unless temporarily painted otherwise. This is a limited edition card, unused, in its original cellowrap. Grade: 1
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HK Tramways 120th Anniversary (White)
Just a different colour from previous card 203081107. Unused. Grade: 1
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North Point, Chun Yeung Street
Bangkok has that famous spot where trains go right through a market. Hong Kong has this, almost as spectacular. Unused card. Grade: 1
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Kowloon, bird’s-eye view at night
Card would have been mailed in about 1980, but from the USA using a 21-cent stamp, back to Hong Kong. Grade: 3
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HK Tramways, Central Market
Here, a series of unused cards issued in 2024 as part of the promotional and marketing activities surrounding the tram company’s 120th anniversary. A display was set up in Hong Kong’s Central Market with postcards (that rapidly disappeared) representing various tram stops. The idea was that people would write messages on these postcards and mail them to the the company –or, presumably, anyone — as a sign of support. The cards did not last long in those racks. We nearly had to fight to get what we got. Grade: 1
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HK Tramways, Chun Yeung Street
See our description for 203081110. Unused, Grade: 1
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HK Tramways, Sai Wan Ho Depot
See our description for 203081110. Unused, Grade: 1
