Ancient Chinese Paintings Postage Stamps: "Syzygy of the Sun, Moon, and the Five Planets" by Xu Yang, Qing Dynasty (I)
To present the beauty of ancient Chinese paintings, Chunghwa Post has chosen “Syzygy of the Sun, Moon, and the Five Planets” by Xu Yang of the Qing dynasty, a work held in the National Palace Museum, to be printed across a series of twelve stamps, each valued at NT$8 to be issued in two se-tenant blocks.
In December 1761 (Qianlong Year 25), the rare astronomical phenomenon of the simultaneous appearance in line of the sun, moon and five planets was observed at the Directorate of Astronomy in Beijing. This presaged peace on land and sea and a bountiful harvest for the coming year. Xu Yang was commissioned to paint this auspicious portent. The painting is on a long scroll, the first set contains six stamps depicting: the river in the city moat, the city wall, the Observatory, the Observatory Office, the Dongdan Archway and the bustle of life at New Year as people greet each other, shops sell festive toys for children.
The further information about this issue is as follows:
1.
First day of issue: November 11, 2020
2.
Sheet composition: 12 (3 × 4)
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Paper used: Phosphorescent stamp paper
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Designer: Tseng Kai-chih
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Printer: Southern Colour Print Ltd. (New Zealand)
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Stamp size: 60 × 30 (mm)
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Color: Colorful
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Process: Offset
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Perforation: 14
By-issues:
(1) First Day Cover in large size (230 mm × 130 mm): NT$3 apiece
(2) Folder (with or without mount): NT$8 apiece
(3) Loose-leaf album page: NT$16 apiece
(4) Maximum cards: NT$60 a set
(5) Pre-cancelled FDC affixed with a full set of stamps: NT$51 apiece
(6) Pre-cancelled maximum cards: NT$108 a set
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.