To celebrate the 70th year of the founding of the Republic of China, the Directorate-General of Posts held a nine-day philatelic exhibition Oct. 25-Nov.2, which was the largest of its kind to be held in the history of China. Some 2,100 stamps, twice the number at the last exhibition held in Taipei three years ago, were on view. Included were stamps which won first place in international competitions and which had been insured for high values by their owners.
Stamps on view were divided into two categories. In the exhibition section were commemorative and other stamps from postal museums, while in the competition section were stamps from China and overseas, and items under the headings of special topics, postal history, air mail, documentaries, and youth and children. Specialists of international standing acted as judges in this section.
Of the more than 3,000 stamps on display, five in particular are regarded as having exceptional value. One was the one-Yuan, red revenue stamp which is regarded as the "king of Chinese stamps." Of the 30 still in existence, nine were included in the exhibition. This stamp was issued in 1896 as a revenue stamp for packages and money orders. Chinese characters used in the postmark were soon replaced by larger ones, and as a result the small seal variety on display has a value of US$30,000.
A second valuable item on display was the first official stamp commemorating the founding of the Republic, on which is depicted the emperor's place of discourse, issued in denominations of up to 25 Yuan. On the two-Yuan stamp, the postmark is inverted, making the 49 remaining specimens of this type collectors' items. Alert collectors also found that one in two hundred of the stamps are marked with five Chinese characters, the order of two of which are inverted stating that the use of the stamp is limited to new provinces (hsien hsin-sheng tieyung to hsien sheng hsin tie-yung). Soon after the mistake was noticed by the postal authorities, the issue was cancelled, but not before a limited number reached the public.
Another Peking issue, a sailboat variety, issued in 1923, has a similar defect, and it is believed that not more than 20 of them remain. Only 10 copies of another issue released in 1925, which also has an imperfection, still exist today. Finally, there is a stamp bearing an image of Sun Yat-sen issued in 1941-5, which was finally cancelled because of currency fluctuations.
In addition to these "top five" stamps, other outstanding items were on display. Included was one of the most well-known stamps issued by the Chinese government, a Shanghai flying goose issue. Originally printed without any denomination, a handstamp was subsequently used to indicate its value.
Another stamp with a picture of a curled dragon, printed in London without water mark, is highly regarded by international philatelists. Since these stamps were Ching Dynasty issues, they could not be used by the Republic after the Dynasty was toppled. Some stamps, however, were over-printed with Chinese characters to celebrate the new Republic. This idea soon met with criticism, and the coiled dragon stamp was withdrawn.
Philatelists regard stamps as historical items which give an insight into a country's culture, customs and progress. As a result, many countries take pride in producing beautiful and elegant stamps which also have promotional and educational value. This often involves a strict supervisory system to weed out and destroy defective stamps. The true value of a stamp should not be judged on the basis of any imperfections it may have, but rather on how well it reflects its country of origin.
China's first stamp was issued in 1878. At that time, a British customs official strongly advised that the Ching Dynasty open a postal administration, but many conservatives considered this to be a wrong-headed foreign idea. The Chinese customs finally issued a dragon-stamp, however, making China one of the last countries in the world, by 40 years, to issue stamps. The new stamps, carried the image of a dragon and became known as "dragon heads."
Since then, more than 3,000 stamps have been issued, reflecting China's political, economic, and social evolution.
Experts have divided Chinese stamps into three periods: Early, middle and modern. The modern period represents those issued by the Chinese government on Taiwan, which are regarded as second only to Japan's in quality. A stamp issued in 1960 appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and was called one of the most beautiful stamps in the world. Another issued in 1962 was selected by Italian judges as the world's finest stamp.
The Directorate of Posts of the Republic of China is striving to create stamps which have a distinctive Chinese flavor, to preserve the nation's place on the international philatelic map. Sets of stamps are regularly put on sale, and can be purchased by collectors abroad.
[Picture Caption]
The largest international stamp exhibition in the history of China was held here in Taipei from Oct. 25-Nov. 2.
1. The "king of Chinese stamps". 2. A stamp commemorating the Chinese revolution. 3. This was one of the first postage stamps officially issued after the establishment of the Republic. 4. A Ching Dynasty stamp was converted for use by the ROC 5. The English "Penny Black," one of the first stamps ever issued, was among many foreign stamps on view. 6.7.8. Three stamps depicting fighting scenes. The one at the left was selected as one of the most beautiful stamps in the world.
Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
Animals which have played important roles in the lives of Chinese are shown on these postage stamps of different denominations.
The largest international stamp exhibition in the history of China was held here in Taipei from Oct. 25-Nov. 2.
The "king of Chinese stamps".
A stamp commemorating the Chinese revolution.
This was one of the first postage stamps officially issued after the establishment of the Republic.
A Ching Dynasty stamp was converted for use by the ROC 5. The English "Penny Black," one of the first stamps ever issued, was among many foreign stamps on view.
The English "Penny Black," one of the first stamps ever issued, was among many foreign stamps on view.
Three stamps depicting fighting scenes. The one at the left was selected as one of the most beautiful stamps in the world.
Three stamps depicting fighting scenes. The one at the left was selected as one of the most beautiful stamps in the world.
Three stamps depicting fighting scenes. The one at the left was selected as one of the most beautiful stamps in the world.
Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
＿Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
Colorful postage stamps depicting Chinese enamelware and jade ware.
Animals which have played important roles in the lives of Chinese are shown on these postage stamps of different denominations.
Animals which have played important roles in the lives of Chinese are shown on these postage stamps of different denominations.
Animals which have played important roles in the lives of Chinese are shown on these postage stamps of different denominations.
Animals which have played important roles in the lives of Chinese are shown on these postage stamps of different denominations.
Animals which have played important roles in the lives of Chinese are shown on these postage stamps of different denominations.
Animals which have played important roles in the lives of Chinese are shown on these postage stamps of different denominations.
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