The year 2020 is the Year of the Rat. To welcome the arrival of the New Year, Chunghwa Post is releasing a set of two stamps and a souvenir sheet on the rats. The stamps resemble wood-block prints, and their clean lines evoke the vitality of the Year of the Rat. Their individual designs are described below:
1. NT$6 stamp: This stamp features images of rat and old-style coins. The Chinese word for “counting” is a homonym for “rat,” so the image suggests the auspicious idea of counting one’s money as a new year arrives.
2. NT$13 stamp: This stamp features a pulsating mouse framed by clouds to convey an image of the arrival of a happy and vibrant new year.
3. NT$15 souvenir sheet: This souvenir sheet features a pair of rats, one red and one purple, which are facing each other. With a radiant sun and a money tree, the image suggests the idea of “hitting the big time” (“big red, big purple” conveys that meaning in a Chinese expression) with regard to one’s finances.

To add philatelic interest, a set of “New Year’s Greeting Postage Stamps (Issue of 2019) Uncut Press Sheets,” which will come in a special tube, will be released along with the stamps. The release will feature one certificate of authenticity, one uncut press sheet of souvenir sheet (comprising nine small sheets), and two uncut press sheets (one containing two panes of 20 NT$6 stamps and the other containing two panes of 20 NT$13 stamps). The margins will feature marks left over from the printing process, including traffic lights and cut lines. Since 2009 Chunghwa Post has successively released philatelic products of this type, which are highly valued as collectibles. This item will not apply to any discount measures.

This set of stamps was designed by UP Creative Design and Advertising Corporation, the winner of the second session of the fifth round of the competition for the design of New Year’s Greeting Postage Stamps held by Chunghwa Post. The stamps will be printed in color offset by Cardon Enterprise Co., Ltd. A first-day cover, folders with and without crystal mounts, and a loose-leaf album page will be released along with the stamps and will go on sale on November 29, 2019. A pre-cancelled FDC with either one NT$6-denominated stamp, the full set of stamps, or a souvenir sheet will go on sale on December 3, 2019, the stamps’ date of issuance.

To purchase the relative philatelic products, please go directly to the post office branches, Postal Museum or order on line at https://stamp.post.gov.tw.

Remark:
Chunghwa Post is following up with a “New Year’s Greeting Postage Stamps (Issue of 2019)” press sheet. This item will be available at the Postal Museum and the following branches: Taipei Beimen, National Palace Museum, Beitou, Neihu, Nangang, Muzha, Keelung Aisan Rd., Banqiao Wunhua Rd., Xindian, Shulin, Sanchong Zhongshan Rd., Danshuei, Xinzhuang, Taoyuan Chenggong Rd., Zhongli, Longtan, Yangmei, Hsinchu Wuchang St., Miaoli Zhongmiao, Taichung Minqyuan Rd., Fongyuan, Changhua Zhongyang Rd., Yuanlin, Nantou Sanhe, Douliou Xiping Rd., Chiayi Wunhua Rd., Chiayi Yushan, Tainan Chenggong Rd., Xinying, Jiali, Xinxing, Fongshan, Gangshan, Pingtung Minsheng Rd., Yilan Zhongshan Rd., Luodong, Hualien Guoan, Taitung Datong Rd., Magong Zhongzheng Rd.