Isle folks get first crack
at stamp sets

For the first time, a set of 12 Lunar New Year stamps created by a well-known Honolulu graphic designer will be available on one souvenir sheet.

One stamp has been released every year since 1992, depicting the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. On Thursday the set -- designed by artist Clarence Lee -- will debut in Honolulu and be available for sale.

The set will be sold nationwide on Friday at post offices.

The U.S. Postal Service has already received several inquiries about the set, which is expected to be a hit among collectors, said Honolulu spokesman Duke Gonzales.

"They have been popular throughout this series," Gonzales said. "There is also an interest in Asian countries in collecting these stamps."

One stamp from the set has debuted every year in different cities. In 1997 the Year of the Ox stamp was unveiled in Honolulu.

Gonzales said the 37-cent stamp set will be available first in Honolulu because it is Lee's hometown. There will be a dedication ceremony, which is open to the public, for the stamp set at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The set will sell for $8.88 because it includes two 12-stamp sheets.