1986 Siberian Cranes Chinese Stamp
Philately has a rich history in China, with stamps acting as ongoing artifacts showcasing Chinese culture, politics, and national achievements through the centuries. Though the first recorded use of stamps in China was for international trade in 1840, the earliest stamps produced by the country itself were actually for commemorative purposes. One early instance would be the “Long Life” stamps issued in 1884, a set of nine stamps each showcasing a different symbol of longevity in celebration of Dowager Ci Xi’s 60th birthday. This ornate set was printed using copperplate in limited quantities. As postal stamps transitioned into everyday use 1897, the majority of stamps were produced using stoneplate in Japan under the Post Office of the Qing Dynasty.
The stamp showcased here would be a more modern day example of a commemorative stamp. It depicts 11 Siberian Cranes in a traditional Chinese ink brush style, celebrating the discovery of the species by the Chinese Academy of the Sciences. The stamp’s issue date in 1986 marks the first year of China’s 7th Five-Year Plan and the first emergence of legislative initiatives in response to environmental concerns. Not only a marker of China’s dedication to scientific advancement, this stamp also displays their emphasis on preserving the endangered species that inhabit its land. Though there is little information on this particular stamp, similar stamps from the time period were traced back to production at printing house Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works using photogravure.
Though categorized as a piece of ephemera, the impact of stamps in China is everything but short-lived. As a rise in digital communication platforms diminish the frequency of postal mail, stamps are still printed and treasured today as a piece of printed history showcasing a moment in time.
Sources:
China Daily. "Short History of Chinese Stamps." August 10, 2004. Accessed October 25, 2024. http://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/103578.htm.
Erdman, Michael. "Lu Tianjiao: A Portrait of a Chinese Painter." Asian and African Studies Blog, British Library, September 2, 2021. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://blogs.bl.uk/asian-and-african/2021/09/lu-tianjiao.html.
Gao, Jun, Zhaohui Wang, Xiaofeng Liu, and Wei Liu. "The Impact of Environmental Protection on China's Economic Growth: A Panel Data Analysis." Sustainable Cities and Society 49 (2019): 101574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101574.
