Royal Mail puts its stamp on Olympic handover
Royal Mail and China Post are going for gold in an historic joint issue of a special set of stamps to mark the handover of the Olympic Flag from Beijing to London.
From 22 August the stamps are available at Post Offices across the UK, two days before the Games’ closing ceremony when the Olympic Flag will pass from Beijing to London. The special stamps mark the first event in the handover celebrations and everyone across the UK can participate.
Stamps with identical images will be issued across China by China Post from 24 August 2008. This stamp issue is the first partnership of its kind between Royal Mail and China Post.
The four 1st Class stamps feature landmarks of the two cities. The astonishing mesh of steel of the National Stadium in Beijing sits next to the London Eye which recently welcomed its 30 millionth visitor.
Representing the past tradition of each country, further stamps show Beijing’s Corner Tower of the Forbidden City – home to China’s Emperors for five centuries – beside another former Royal residence, The Tower of London.
Each stamp on the Sheet- entitled ‘Olympic Games – Handover of the Olympic Flag from Beijing to London’- features the famous Olympic rings, representing the five continents of the world.
Royal Mail and China Post are going for gold in an historic joint issue of a special set of stamps to mark the handover of the Olympic Flag from Beijing to London.
On 22 August the stamps will be available at Post Offices across the UK, two days before the Games’ closing ceremony when the Olympic Flag will pass from Beijing to London. The special stamps mark the first event in the handover celebrations and everyone across the UK can participate.
Stamps with identical images will be issued across China by China Post from 24 August 2008. This stamp issue is the first partnership of its kind between Royal Mail and China Post.
The four 1st Class stamps feature landmarks of the two cities. The astonishing mesh of steel of the National Stadium in Beijing sits next to the London Eye which recently welcomed its 30 millionth visitor.
Representing the past tradition of each country, further stamps show Beijing’s Corner Tower of the Forbidden City – home to China’s Emperors for five centuries – beside another former Royal residence, The Tower of London.
Each stamp on the Sheet- entitled ‘Olympic Games – Handover of the Olympic Flag from Beijing to London’- features the famous Olympic rings, representing the five continents of the world.
Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail said: “The moment when the Olympic Flag passes from one city to another is always a ceremony of great poignancy at the close of any Olympic Games.
“These stamps are made all the more special as they not only celebrate a wonderful Games in Beijing, but they whet our appetite for what is to come as the UK takes over the honour of hosting the Olympic Games.”
