Characters created by famous Hong Kong author Louis Cha ‘Jin Yong’ to be featured in special set of commemorative stamps
- The collection will go on general sale to public on December 6 and feature the likes of Guo Jing, Chen Jialuo and Zhang Wuji
- Famous comic book artist Lee Chi-ching has illustrated the stamps, which have been created by renowned stamp designer Gideon Lai
The martial arts novelist, who is also known by his pen name Jin Yong, died in October, and the set is expected to be popular with stamp collectors and fans of his books locally and overseas.
Traders believe the collection will prove to be a bestseller, much like Cha’s novels, and have estimated that prices could increase by as much as 10 per cent on the resale market in the days after the collection is released.
Among the characters will be Guo Jing and Huang Rong from The Eagle-Shooting Heroes, Chen Jialuo from The Book and the Sword, and Zhang Wuji from the book, The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre.
In a statement, Hongkong Post said the stamps were a way to commemorate Cha’s “life and his timeless works”.
“The renowned Chinese martial arts novelist passed away at the age of 94 on October 30. He showed the world the wonders of Chinese classics, integrating highly valued elements of culture and history with extraordinary creativity,” postal office said. “It is hoped that the compilation and release of this set of special stamps may in some way serve to commemorate Cha’s life and his timeless works.”
Four of Louis Cha ‘Jin Yong’s’ most iconic TV and film characters
The stamps had already been included as the last release in the Hongkong Post’s stamps issuing programme for 2018, and online orders closed in August. The postal office said it was a coincidence that the public sale was after Cha’s death.
A spokesman for Hongkong Post declined to speculate on the level of demand from collectors.
“We expect a good response,” he said. “They are not only appealing to general stamp collectors, but also to fans of Jin Yong.”
A sales assistant at Luen Fat, a stamp trader in Mong Kok, also said: “Jin Yong was renowned worldwide. The stamps depicting the characters of his novels will also be chased after. We have received some enquiries about the new stamps from overseas clients.”
Official first-day covers at HK$1.30 each will be put on sale at all post offices from Thursday, while advanced orders for other covers will be accepted between Thursday and next Wednesday. The stamps will go on general sale the week after.
Podcast: the life and legacy of Louis Cha ‘Jin Yong’ – Behind the Story
Hongkong Post is also launching a stamp booklet, costing HK$70, with featuring 30 images of Zhang Wuji in tai chi poses. People can flip the pages of the booklet quickly, or scan the QR code on the back cover, to see the kung fu master “in action”.
The stamps have been created by famous stamp designer Gideon Lai, and illustrated by renowned comic artist Lee Chi-ching.
