International Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Hong Kong

Hong Kong

• The first meters were installed in 1929. All franks are inscribed “HONG KONG”.
• The stamps are grouped by appearance and usage as follows:

A - British administration, frank with ribbon design on solid background

B - British administration, frank with ribbon design on clear background

C - British administration, date above and meter number below value figures

D - British administration, frank with Greek style outer border

E - British administration, frank with crossed oval pods at sides

F - Chinese administration

PO - Special stamps used only in Post Offices

PD - Special stamps used only for Postage Due

PP - Special stamps used only for Parcel Post

PV - Digital stamps from self-service vending machines

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GROUP A: Issued under British administration with crown between “HONG” and “KONG”

• Square or rectangular frank with a ribbon design at each side. The ribbons are clear on a solid background.

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Sub-group AA: Simulated perforation border

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AA1. Universal “Midget” (FV-3/5), 1929.

“POSTAGE PAID” below crown.

Meter No’s: M1, 3-9, M20 known.

TM: DC

Values: 1¢, 2¢, 3¢ , 4¢, 8¢, 10¢ [$200]

5¢, 6¢ (M4), 20¢, 25¢ [$300]

14¢ (M9), $1.25 [$400]

NOTES:

• 75¢ reported but not seen.
• M# M2 is known as a proof only

AA2. Neopost (LV-6), 1936.

Similar to Type AA1 but “POSTAGE PAID” below CENTS (CENT).

Meter No’s: N2, N3, N4.

TM: BIC

Values: 1¢, 4¢, 5¢ (N4) [$150]

10¢, 25¢ [$200]

20¢, 50¢, $1 (N2), $2 (N2) [$500]

NOTE: 2¢ known as proof but possibly was used

AA3. Neopost (LV-6), 1950. [$500]

Similar to Type AA2 but Chinese characters in small frame above “POSTAGE PAID”.

One example known with “N” in small box at bottom left and unengraved block at bottom right.

TM: BIC

Values seen: 50¢, $1

AA4. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV), 1946. [$150]

“POSTAGE PAID” in bottom panel.

“CENTS” below value figures.

Frank 26 x 29 mm.

M# “U1” only.

TM: DC

V/F: 00

AA5. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV), 1946. [$20]

As Type AA4 but larger frank, 29½ mm square.

M# U2 up.

TM: DC

V/F: 000 (O) 0000 00 (U4) 000 (A) (U10) 00oo

a. With characters “CB74” between TM and frank (U24)

b. "KOWLOON" inverted at bottom of TM (M# 39) [$75]

AA6. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV), 1957.

As Type AA5 but “$ | ¢” below value figures.

M# with “U” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: 000 (U118) 000 (U106) 000oo (U130) [$20]

0000 [$10]

AA7. Universal “Automax” (MV).

Similar to Type AA6 but value figures are smaller and of uniform thickness.

The frank is also smaller at 26 x 28 mm.

M# U150 up.

TM: DC

V/F: =0.00 =00.00

=000 (U169) [$10]

AA8. Universal “Simplex” (LV-25). [$25]

Frank similar to Type AA7 but smaller still, 24 x 27 mm.

“POSTAGE PAID” in bottom panel.

Wide spacing between TM and frank.

M# with “S” prefix, S1-15.

TM: DC

Values: 5¢ to 125¢ in 5c increments

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Sub-group AB: Straight line border

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AB1. Neopost “205” (MV).

Small, square frank, 24¼ mm.

M# with “N” prefix.

TM: BIC

V/F: 0.00 00.00

AB2. Neopost “Frankmaster 305” (MV).

Similar to AB1 but larger, 27 x 29 mm.

M# with “N” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: 00·00

AB3. Neopost “405/505” (MV), 1972.

Wide frank: 31 x 24 mm.

M# with “N” prefix.

TM: DC, BIC

V/F: 0000 00·00

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GROUP B: Issued under British administration with crown between “HONG” and “KONG”

• As Group A, but the ribbons are lines on a clear background.

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Sub-group BA: Simulated perforation border

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BA1. Pitney Bowes “RF” series (MV). [$20]

Value box at right with country name at top.

Crown and ribbon ornaments between TM and value box.

M# with “P.B.” prefix below ribbon design.

TM: SC

V/F: ≋00 ≋000

BA2. Pitney Bowes “5300” series (MV). [$10]

Wide frank, 34 x 21½ mm, with simulated perforation border, country name with crown at top.

“POSTAGE PAID” above value figures.

Meter number in 300 series with “PB” prefix outside frame between TM and frank.

TM: SC

V/F: ≋0.00

BA3. Pitney Bowes-GB “5340” and "5357" (MV).

Very similar to Type BA2 but date figures larger and TM always DC.

Ribbon ornaments at sides are wide.

M# 400 up with “PB” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00 (front the 5340) ≋00.oo (from the 5357)

a. M# with “U” prefix (U404). [$5]

BA4. Pitney Bowes-GB “6500” series (MV). [$5]

Similar to Type BA3 but the frank is narrower, and the ribbon ornaments at the sides are much narrower.

M# with “PBH” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋00.00

BA5. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” series (MV).

Similar to Type BA3 but “POSTAGE PAID” and meter number are at bottom of frank.

M# with “PB” or “P.B.” prefix.

A. Frank 33 mm wide

B. Frank 35 mm wide

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00 ≋00.oo

a. M# very large (PB 5002)

BA6. Pitney Bowes-GB “6900” (MV).

As Type BA3 but much taller frank. (See Type BA7.)

M# PBE 0001 through 0299.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00

BA7. Pitney Bowes-GB “E400” (MV).

Frank is identical to Type BA6 but with embedded zero in the ornament at right of the value figures.

M# PBE 0300 and up.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋00.0+0

BA8. Pitney Bowes-GB “A900” series (MV).

Very similar to Type BA3 but value figures are larger and on same level as date figures.

M# in PB7000 series.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋00.00

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Sub-group BB: Straight line border

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BB1. Neopost “205/2205” (MV).

Small, square frank with inner box around value figures.

M# with “N” prefix.

Date figures tall or short.

TM: DC, BIC

V/F: 00.00

BB2. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

As Type BB1 but wider frank.

M# with “N” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋00.00 000.00

BB3. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Frank without inner box around value figures.

M# with “H” prefix breaks bottom frame line.

TM: DC

V/F: 00.00 $00.00 000.00 $000.00

NOTE: Size of “$” varies.

BB4. Postalia (MV). [$100]

Very similar to Type BB3 but value figures much narrower and date figures smaller.

M# P101 only.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00

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GROUP C: Issued under British administration. Frank with date above and meter number below value figures.

• The stamps are applied to gummed labels and never directly on envelopes or covers.
• Only one meter number seen, “NCR 1”. Used by the manufacturer, the National Cash Register Corporation.
• Because of overlapping dates, it is possible more than one machine was in operation despite the use of the single meter number.

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C1. NCR (MV), 1951. [$1000]

Frameless design with “HONG KONG” (without crown), with ornaments, below date.

“POST PAID/ VICTORIA/ NCR Meter 1” in rectangular ornamental frame at bottom.

One example known.

V/F: ⎯ 0.00

C2. NCR (MV), 1951. [$200]

Frameless design with “HONG KONG” (without crown) in ribbon above “POSTAGE” below date.

“VICTORIA/ NCR Meter 1” in wavy line field at bottom.

V/F: ⎯ 0.00

C3. NCR (MV), 1953.

Frame with simulated perforation outer border added around frank below date.

Frame is open at the sides for the value line.

Crown present between “HONG” and “KONG”.

A. 1953-1957, with “THE NATIONAL CASH/ REGISTER COMPANY” below the value line. [$100]

B. 1957-1969, with “THE NATIONAL CASH/ REGISTER CO.(H.K.) LTD.” below the value line. [$20] (shown)

V/F: ⎯ 0.00

C4. NCR (MV), 1961.

As Type C3 but frame lines are complete at the sides.

A. 1961-1976, with “THE NATIONAL CASH/ REGISTER CO.(H.K.) LTD.” below the value line. [$50] (shown)

B. 1977-1978, with “NCR (HONG KONG) LIMITED” below the value line. [$25]

V/F: ⎯ 0.00

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GROUP D: Issued under British administration with crown below “HONG KONG”

• Frank with Greek style outer border

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D1. Postalia (MV), 1955. [$25]

Frank with country name unframed at top.

Wide spacing containing slogan between TM and frank.

Meter number “P1” only.

TM: DC

V/F: 000

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GROUP E: Issued under British administration with crown below “HONG KONG”

• Frank with crossed oval shaped pods at sides.

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E1. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Frank with simulated perforation border at top and bottom. M# with “N” prefix below “POSTAGE PAID” at bottom.

A. Meter number centered with “N” at left

B. “N” at left, number at right

TM: DC

V/F: ≋00.00

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GROUP F: Issued under Chinese administration, two Chinese characters for Hong Kong between “HONG” and “KONG”

F1. Pitney Bowes-GB “5340", "5357" and "6500"(MV).

Wide frank, either 32 or 34mm wide by 23mm tall, with simulated perforation border.

“POSTAGE PAID” below country inscription at top.

Scrolls at sides narrow, 2 mm thick.

M# with “PB” (5340 and 5357 models) or “PBH” (6500 model) prefix, low between TM and frank.

TM: DC

V/F: $≋0.00 (from the 5340) $≋0.000 $≋00.00 $≋00.oo

F2. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” series (MV).

Similar to Type F1 but “POSTAGE PAID inscription at bottom above M#.

The scroll ornaments at the sides are larger, 4mm thick.

M# with “PB” prefix breaks bottom frame line.

TM: DC

V/F: $≋0.00

F3. Pitney Bowes-GB “6900” (MV).

Frank is much taller than Types F1 and F2. (See Type F4.)

The meter number is between "POSTAGE PAID" and the bottom frame line.

M# PBE 0001 through PBE 0299.

TM: DC

V/F: $≋0.00

F4. Pitney Bowes “E400” (MV).

Frank is identical to Type F3 but the meter numbers are different.

A. Meter number PBE 0300 and up

B. Meter number with "PBP prefix

TM: DC

V/F: $≋00.00

F5. Pitney Bowes-GB “A/B900” series (MV).

Similar to Type F1 but date and value figures are on the same level.

Scroll ornaments at the sides are narrow.

Value figures are large.

M# with “PB” (A900) or “PBP” (B900) prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: $≋00.00

F6. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Frank with double straight-line border broken at bottom by the meter number.

M# with “H” prefix.

A. Frank 34 x 23mm (shown)

B. Larger frank, 37 x 26mm

TM: DC

V/F: $ 00.00 $ 000.00

a. M# with “TMS” prefix

F7. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Frank 31 x 21 mm with simulated-perforation border.

M# with “N” prefix breaks bottom frame line.

Date figures widely spaced.

TM: DC

V/F: $ ≋00.00

F8. Pitney Bowes "E700" (digital).

Fairly small frank with simulated-perforation border at top and sides.

Two columns of numbers left of the town mark.

M# with “PBP60” prefix across the bottom.

TM: SC

V/F: $≋00.00

F9. Pitney Bowes "B700" (digital).

Similar to Type F8 but frank and TM are larger.

Frank is 32 mm wide.

The M# is above a straight bottom border.

M# with “PBP 85” prefix.

TM: SC

V/F: $≋00.00

F10. Pitney Bowes “DM300” (digital).

Very similar to Type F9 but larger.

Frank is 34 mm wide.

M# with “PBP 62” prefix.

TM: SC

V/F: $≋00.00

F11. Neopost “205/2205” (MV).

Small square frank with breaks at centers of the sides.

M# with "N" breaks bottom frame line.

Tall date figures indicate the “205” model; short date figures indicate the “2205” model.

TM: BIC

V/F: 00·00 00·oo

F12. Neopost "IJ-25/40/50" (digital), 2008.

Small square frank with breaks at centers of the sides.

M# with "C" prefix breaks bottom frame line.

TM: DC

V/F: $000.00

F13. Pitney Bowes (digital).

Similar to Type F10 but with indentations in the bottom frame line.

With only a single column of numbers at left of the town mark.

M# with "PBP" prefix above bottom frame line.

TM: SC

V/F: $ 000.00

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GROUP PO: Special stamps known only from post office counter/window machines

PO1. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” series (MV). [$50]

Wide rectangle, 69 x 24 mm with straight line double outer border.

“POSTAGE PAID” at top left, “HONG KONG POST OFFICE” at bottom.

M# with “No.” prefix above “HONG”.

M#s 44 and 45 only seen.

V/F: ≋00.00

PO2. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Similar to Type PO1 but slightly wider at 71 mm.

Meter number either at left above “HONG” or centered.

A. Without transaction number [$10]

B. With 5- or 6-digit transaction number at far left [$10] (shown)

C. As B, but transaction number is boxed [$25]

V/F: 000.00

a. Printed in green, used for collecting Postage Due

NOTE: Stamps of similar design but without “POSTAGE PAID”, with or without handstamped “STAMP DUTY PAID” are provisional revenue stamps, not postage stamps.

PO3. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Similar to PO2 but with four vertical wavy lines at the sides of the value figures.

A. With unboxed transaction number at far left [$10]

B. With boxed transaction number at far left (shown)

V/F: 000.00

PO4. Unknown (digital), 1995 or earlier. [$10]

Used on international mail only.

Large, wide label with light blue underprint of diagonal “HONGKONGPOSTOFFICE” in echelon.

Borderless design with “HONG KONG POST OFFICE’ and service indicator at top and various

data imprinted including operator, destination and weight as well as date/time and postage.

A. With "SPEEDPOST" in top line

B. With "PARCEL" in top line

V/F: HK$000.00

PO5. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

As Type PO3 but with Chinese characters at sides of “POSTAGE PAID” and between “HONG KONG” and “POST OFFICE”.

Issued under Chinese administration.

Meter numbers 91, 105, 131, 132, and 135 seen.

A. Without transaction number

B. Boxed transaction number at left (135)

V/F: 000.00

a. Ten cent stamp without date (shown) used to fill a temporary shortage of ten cent adhesive stamps between 10 April and 4 May, 2002. Thirty machines (nos. 65, 67, 69, 70, 72, 75, 78, 80, 89, 92 93, 95, 98, 100, 102, 104, 107, 115, 116, 117 119, 120, 124, 127, 129, 131, 132, 133, 137, 138) were used for this purpose. Stamps purchased by 4 May remained valid for use after that date.

PO6. Unknown (digital), 1997.

Stamp for international mail as Type PO4 but issued under Chinese administration.

Differs mainly from Type PO4 in bilingual (English-Chinese) entries for most of the elements.

Printed on label with horizontal underprint “HONGKONGPOSTOFFICE”.

A. SPEEDPOST

B. PARCEL

V/F: HK$000.00

PO7. Unknown (digital), 2010.

Printed on white self-adhesive label with meter number in off-white at bottom left and stylized bird logo at center right.

The point-of-sale data is printed in black.

A. With "POSTAGE PAID" (English and Chinese) below "HONG KONG".

B. Without "POSTAGE PAID"

V/F: $0.00

a. Stamp used for registered mail, with registration number added below right of the barcode (shown)

NOTES:

• The image shown has been darkened to show the meter number and bird logo which are all but invisible in the actual stamp unless viewed under UV light.
• The same white labels are used in self-service vending machines. See Type PV1.

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GROUP PD: Special stamps used only for collecting Postage Due

• NOTE: See also Type PO2a for a Postage Due stamp.

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PD1. Universal “MultiValue” (MV), 1954. [$50]

Similar to Types AA3 and 4 but town mark circle lowered with a transaction number above.

Town mark reads “POSTAGE DUE” at top.

Printed in green.

Without M#.

One machine only.

TM: DC

V/F: 0000

PD2. Universal “Automax” (MV). [$50]

Wide rectangle with double straight-line border broken at top left by transaction number and bottom left by date.

“POSTAGE DUE” at top right above value figures.

“$ ¢” below value figures.

M#s 20, 24, 25, 28 and 29 seen.

Printed in green.

Converted from Parcel Post machine.

V/F: =0oo

PD3. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV). [$40]

As Type PO2A but with “POSTAGE DUE” at top.

Printed in green.

M#s 50-55 seen.

V/F: 000.00

PD4. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

As Type PO3B but with “POSTAGE DUE” at top.

Printed in green.

M# 121 seen.

V/F: 000.00

PD5. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

As Type PO5 but with “POSTAGE DUE” at top.

Printed in green.

A. Without transaction number. M#s 51, 52, 55 seen

B. With boxed transaction number at far left. M# 94 seen

V/F: 000.00

PD6. Pitney Bowes “6300” (MV), 1980. [$35]

This is Type BA4 altered by replacement of “PAID” at bottom with “DUE” and with meter number changed to “P.O.1”.

Printed in green.

One machine only.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00

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GROUP PP: Special stamps used only for Parcel Post

PP1. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV). [On cover or large piece value is $10, less as loose tape]

Wide rectangle with double straight-line border broken at top left by transaction number and bottom left by date.

“PARCEL POST/ PAID” above “HONG KONG” at left.

Meter number at top center preceded by “No”.

Inner frame with “ $ | ¢ ” both above and below the value figures.

Printed on yellow adhesive labels.

V/F: 0000

PP2. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). [On cover or large piece value is $10, less as loose tape]

Similar to Type PP1 but “PARCEL POST” is at top right.

“ $¢ ” below value figures.

Five-digit transaction number at top left.

Upper left frame lines may or may not be present.

Printed on yellow adhesive labels.

A. Frank 66mm wide, no frame lines above and left of the transaction counter number (shown)

B. Frank 73mm wide, no frame lines above the transaction counter number but with frame lines left of the number

V/F: =0.00 =00.00

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GROUP PV: Digital stamps from self-service vending machines

PV1. Unidentified ["Hong Kong Productivity Council"] (digital/dot matrix), 1994.

A self-service digital stamp vending machine was trialed in the lobby of the General Post Office starting 9 August 1994.

The stamp is similar to Type PO3 but much wider.

Frank frame printed from a solid die and point-of-sale data applied by dot-matrix printer.

The identifier "GPO-01" is at bottom right.

The point-of-sale data shows a transaction number, the date, and the value figures between two groups of wavy lines.

The experiment was halted after a few months due to frequent mechanical breakdown.

V/F: $ØØØ.ØØ

PV2. Wang Global (digital/ink jet), 4 May 1998.

Very similar to Post Office Type PO5 but with the following differences:

The value figures are shorter but thicker.

The wavy line ornaments at the sides of the value figures are smaller.

The identifier "GPO" is in the center.

As with Type PV1 only a single machine, located in the lobby of the General Post Office, was used.

The trial lasted three months and was terminated on 8 August due to its slowness of operation.

V/F: $000.00

PV3. "Hong Kong Postal Service Kiosk" (digital), 12 April 2010.

Very similar to Post Office Type PO7 but with different text fonts.

As with PO7, printed on white self-adhesive label with machine number in off-white at bottom left and stylized bird logo at right (barely visible in the illustration).

The Chinese 'POSTAGE PAID' is at upper left rather than below "HONG KONG" as on Type PO7.

The barcode is taller and not quite as wide as on PO7.

Other text differences exist.

All stamps, not just those used for registered mail, have the barcode.

V/F: $0.00

NOTE: According to the Hong Kong Post Stamps web site (http://www.hongkongpoststamps.com/eng/newsletter/2010/03/20100322c.htm) these stamps are valid only on the date purchased.

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