The four hanging scrolls, each measuring 102.9×173.5 cm. shown on this set of stamps were painted in color on silk by an anonymous painter of the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.).They were recommended by the National Palace Museum, Taipei.　　 When the Tang Emperor Tai-tsung (r.627-649) established the Academy of Learning, he invited many talented scholars to serve there.Those scholars included： Tu Ju-hui, Fang Hsuan-ling, Yu Chih-ning, Su Shih-chang, Hsueh Shou, Chu Liang, Yao Ssu-lien, Lu Te-ming, Kung Ying-ta, Li Hsuan-tao, Li Sou-su, Yu Shih-nan, Tsai Yun-kung, Yen Hsiang-shih, Hsu Ching-tsung, Hsueh Yuan-ching, Kai Wen-ta, and Su Hsu. When Hsueh Shou died, the Emperor invited Liu Hsiao-sun to take his place.A famous Tang Dynasty artist, Yen Li-pen, was ordered to paint the scholars.Chu Liang wrote an encomium and listed the name and rank of each of the scholars; he also referred to the painting as The Eighteen Scholars. The graceful and refined hanging scrolls used for the stamps are from the Sung Dynasty copies. The eighteen scholars pictured are engaged in the delights of music, wei-chi (chess), calligraphy, and painting.