Date of Issue : 8 Jan 2008
Postmark : Christmas Island WA 6798
Denomination : 50c and AU$1.45
Stamp Size : 26 mm x 37.5 mm
Paper : Tullis Russell
Printing Process : Lithography with Gold Foil
Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. With that, a brand new set of zodiac stamps would be issued over a period of twelve years, with a very different looking design compared to the previous set of zodiac stamps (1996 to 2007) designed by Luis Chang. Those born in the Year of the Rat are said to be imaginative, generous, quick-tempered and intelligent. Famous people born in the Year of the Rat include Richard Nixon, William Shakespeare, Prince Charles, Louis Armstrong and Andrew Lloyd-Webber. The stamps in this issue feature the Rat in paper cut motifs (50c) and a calligraphic image of the Chinese character for Rat (AU$1.45).