1994 Orchids - Hong Kong Stamp Exhibition

1994 Orchids of Malaysia - Hong Kong Stamp Exhibition

Malaysia had issued stamp and covers to commemorate 3 major philately exhibition in 1994, 1 of which was held by Pos Malaysia. They were the Hong Kong'94, Aseanpex'94 (in Penang!!) and Philakorea'94. I would showcase the first stamp exhibition in that year, Hong Kong'94, in this blog.

"1994 Hong Kong Stamp Exhibition - MS on FDC"

Orchids of Malaysia miniature sheet was overprinted with the Hong Kong'94 logo to commemorate the event. No special exhibition cover was issued but the nice miniature sheet and FDC cover make up for the loss.

The exhibition was held from 18 - 21 February (4 days) by Hong Kong Philatelic Society and Hong Kong Postal services.

The Hong Kong Philatelic Society was established in 1921 and is the oldest philatelic organisation in Hong Kong. Members were mainly Europeans before the war and after 1946, more and more Chinese became members and the Society has grown in stature.

Over the years, the Society has promoted philately vigorously in Hong Kong and organised the first national stamp exhibition in 1994 (ie Hong Kong'94 as shown in the FDC above), the first international stamp exhibition in February 1997 and the 15th FIAP Asian International in February 2001. In addition, the Hong Kong Philatelic Society has also organised national exhibitions such as Hongpex'96, Hongpex'98, Hongpex'00, Hong Kong Stampex 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006 so that new exhibits formed by local collectors can qualify for future FIAP & FIP exhibitions. The Christopher D'Almada trophy is to be awarded as the grand prize for the Hongpex exhibitions. In December 2002, our Society together with the Hong Kong Study Circle (UK) organised the 140th Anniversary of Hong Kong Stamps Exhibition at the City Hall. In addition, the HKPS also participated in joint stamp exhibitions such as in Guangzhou, Macau and the most recent Hong Kong-Macau Joint Stamp Expo in October 2005. In January 2004, the Society co-organised the Hong Kong 2004 Stamp Expo - 17th Asian International Philatelic Exhibition which was another success. HKPS looks forward to the next international show in 2009.

"Malaysia Orkid - First Day Cancellation"

The first day cancellation of this issue was very delicate and illustrate an orchids flower. You can see the magnify version of this flower on the FDC.

"Hong Kong'94 - Exhibition Cancellation"

The exhibition cancellation was more complexly designed. It illustrates the Malaysia Clock Tower (or better known as Sultan Abdul Samad building near Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur) along side with the Hong Kong Central Plaza ("中環廣場"). From my opinion, this cancellation give a false impression that both the buildings are of similar hight. But this is far from reality.

In term or hight, Sultan Abdul Samad building is 40m (peak of the clock tower) while the Hong Kong Central Plaza is 374m!!

"Sultan Abdul Samad Building - night view"

Topped by a shiny copper dome and a 40m high clock tower, it is a major landmark in the city. It serves as the backdrop for important events such as the National Day Parade on August 31 and the ushering in of the New Year. This heritage building used to be occupied by the then Apex Court of Malaysia, the Supreme Court which was subsequently renamed the Federal Court. The Court of Appeal was also housed in this historic building. The Federal Court and the Court of Appeals have since moved to the Palace of Justice located in Putrajaya, the new Federal administrative capital. The Sultan Abdul Samad Building now houses the Commercial Division of the High Court of Malaya.

Behind the building flows the Klang River and Gombak River's confluence and in the middle of where the 2 rivers meet stands The Masjid Jamek (or Jamek Mosque), a mosque of similar design by the same architect.

"Hong Kong Central Plaza (中環廣場)"

Central Plaza is the second tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong. With a height of 374 m (1,227 ft), Central Plaza is only surpassed by 2 IFC (415 m / 1,362 ft) in Central. The building is located at 18 Harbour Road, in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. It was the tallest building in Asia from 1992 to 1996, until the Shun Hing Square in Shenzhen, People's Republic of China, was built. The 78-storey building was completed in August 1995. The building surpassed the Bank of China Tower as the tallest building in Hong Kong until the completion of 2IFC.

Central Plaza was also the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world, until it was surpassed by CITIC Plaza, Guangzhou. The building uses a triangular floor plan. On the top of the tower is a four-bar neon clock that indicates the time by displaying different colors in 15 minute intervals, blinking at the change of the quarter.

An anemometer is installed on the tip of the building's mast; the anemometer sits at 378 m (1,240 ft) above sea level. The mast has a height of 102 m (335 ft). It also houses the world's highest church--Hong Kong City Church.

For more information of all the skyscraper in Hong Kong, you can visit HERE.

We should put KL Tower (335 meter in hight) in this cancellation instead of Sultan Abdul Samad clock tower. However, KL Tower was only completely built in 1996....

Anyhow, I think both structure are magnificent, from both historical as well as architecture point of view.