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| 12/24/04 |
566440
Holiday Ornaments Technical details: Issue: Holiday Ornaments Type of Issue: Commemorative Denomination: $0.37 Issue Date: 11/15/2004 Location: New York, NY Category: Self-Adhesives Format: Pane of 20 Gum Type: Self-Adhesive Item #: 566440 Price: $7.40 Product Description: Red, Green, Blue and Purple Holiday Ornaments Light Up Pin: This is a neat little Christmas collectible.Gold plated nickel lapel pin w/ Holiday Santa Red ornament stamp image. Led flashing colors : green and red. Measures : 1.15''x1.475'' Introduction: DELIVER THE JOY! NEW HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS STAMPS ISSUED BY U.S. POSTAL SERVICE AND LORD & TAYLOR UNVEILED ITS CHRISTMAS WINDOWS SALUTING THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE. NEW YORK, NY - New York shoppers received two bargains today when Lord & Taylor unveiled "Deliver The Joy," its 2004 Christmas Windows celebrating the U.S. Postal Service's history of delivering holiday joy and the U.S. Postal Service issuance of the Holiday Ornaments stamps. The first-day-of-issue ceremony took place at Lord & Taylor flagship store at 424 Fifth Avenue at 39th Street, New York City, as hundreds gathered to witness the festive occasion. The stamps are available at the Lord & Taylor flagship store and New York City Post Offices today and at Post Offices nationwide beginning tomorrow. "Holiday cards, letters and gifts carry seasonal messages, but the season's greetings really begin on the outside, on the envelope or package," said John Nolan, Deputy Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service. "Over 140 million Holiday Ornaments stamps will grace a bevy of envelopes and packages as they travel across the country this holiday season, and it is our hope that the stamps will deliver love, peace and joy." Lord & Taylor is also featuring U.S. Postal Service merchandise in its catalogue and trim-a-home shops. Customers can buy replicas of the Santa Holiday Ornaments stamps in red, blue, green and purple, a boxed set of 2004 holiday greeting cards depicting the stamp, and a silk scarf with the ornament images on a black and white striped background. All are available in all 54 Lord & Taylor stores. The four Holiday Ornaments stamps feature painted glass Santa ornaments made in 1999 in Lauscha, Germany, for D. Blumchen & Company of Ridgewood, NJ. The ornaments were photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce, designed by Derry Noyes and hand-painted by designer Diane S. Boyce. The stamps are available in a 37-cent pane of 20, double-sided convertible booklet of 20, vending booklet of 20 and ATM sheetlet and convertible book of 18. Note: Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service makes deliveries to more than 141 million addresses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $68 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. Moreover, today's postage rates will remain stable until at least 2006. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 202 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves seven million customers each day at its 38,000 retail locations nationwide. If you are pretty interested in it, please link with more details.
10/01/04 |
J163 | 
40th Anniv. of Founding of PRC Technical details: Serial number: J163 Values in set: 4 Date of issue: October 1, 1989 Denomination: 78 fen Designers: Zhang Lei Size of stamps: 40*30mm Perforation: 11*11.5 Sheet composition: 50(5*10) Printing process: Photogravure Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works Introduction: With another holiday coming after the Chinese traditional festival, the Moon Festival, people across China are busy preparing to celebrate the National Day. Today(Friday) is the 55th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China and the beginning of the "Golden Week" holiday. Party and state leaders joined 200,000 local people to attend National Day celebrations held in five parks of Beijing Friday morning, to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). At 9:00 am, Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin and other party and state leaders appeared in the Zhongshan Park, the Working People's Cultural Palace, the Beihai Park, the Temple of Heaven, and the China Museum of Ethnic Culture, where jubilant people were gathering. Earlier a grand national flag raising ceremony is held on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Detailed info about this stamp: SN: (1-1) Title: 40th Anniv. of Founding of PRC Values: 300 fen Size: 120*84mm/ 48*30mm Type: J Note: From September 21 to 30, 1949, the First Plenum of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing, with the participation of various political parties, popular organizations, non-Party democrats and representatives from all walks of life. The CPPCC drew up a Common Program, which served as a provisional constitution. It elected a Central People's Government Council, with Mao Zedong as Chairman, and appoint Zhou Enlai Premier of the Government Adminsitration Council and concurrently Minister of Foreign Affairs. On October 1, 1949, a grand ceremony inaugurating the People's Republic of China was witnessed by 300,000 people in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. On that day, Chairman Mao Zedong solemnly proclaimed the formal establishment of the People's Republic of China. The early days of New China were a period of economic recovery. While developing production, China gradually established socialist public ownership of the means of production. From 1953 to 1956, large-scale socialist transformation of the national economy was implemented, the First Five-Year Plan (1953-1957) for the development of the national economy was achieved ahead of schedule, and China established and expanded basic industries necessary for full industrialization, hitherto non-existent domestically, producing airplanes, automobiles, heavy machinery, precision machinery, power-generating equipment, metallurgical and mining equipment, high-grade alloy steels and non-ferrous metals. The People's Republic of China (PRC) comprises most of the cultural, historic, and geographic area known as China. Since its founding in 1949, it has been led by the Communist Party of China (CPC). It is the world's most populous country, with a population of over 1,250,000,000, most of whom are classified as the Han Chinese ethnicity. It is the largest country in area in East Asia and the fourth largest in the world. The PRC borders 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Vietnam. The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty but does not administer the island of Taiwan, whose political status is controversial and is currently administered by Republic of China, which is currently recognised by 27 countries around the world. The term Mainland China is sometimes used to denote the part of China under PRC's rule (usually excluding the two Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macau). History of the PRC (1949-1976). History of the PRC (1976-present).
08/20/04 |
The Athletes | 
Athens2004 1st stamp: The javelin thrower shown on the thirty-cent stamp 2nd stamp: An Olympic winner, crowned by the 'kotinos', from Fassianos' first Olympic stamp series Introduction: The designer is Artist Alekos Fassianos. Painter Alekos Fassianos' Olympic stamps help deliver the spirit of modern Greece. Of all the stamps issued by the Hellenic Post to commemorate the Athens 2004 Olympic Games , those designed by artist Alekos Fassianos are arguably the most memorable. By blending modern, ancient, folkloric and classical styles, the stamps capture the Olympic Games' timeless ideal of peaceful competition. The series, entitled The Athletes, is actually the second collection of Olympic stamps bearing Fassianos' signature. Issued on November 28th 2003, the collection is made up of six stamps (30 * 38 mm in size, with values ranging from 20 cents to 2,85 Euros) depicting athletes competing in classical field events as held during the ancient Olympic Games . Philatelists may be interested in purchasing the first-day-of-circulation commemorative envelopes, albums containing the series of six art pieces and prepaid postcards. Fassianos' stamps differ from others in that his personal style, while inspired by ancient Greece, is neither archaic nor imitative of ancient art forms. The artist is a firm believer that art should never mimic the past. Instead, he seeks unique ways of combining the ancient and modern experience. His new stamp collection depicts modern athletes participating in the ancient pentathlon events : discus, javelin, jumping (with the athlete holding stone or lead weights to increase his jump), running (both the standard foot race and the one in full military armour) and chariot racing. The artist's bold use of colour adds a strikingly contemporary touch to the Olympic subject matter. Captured in stoic poses, with their hair billowing in the breeze, the athletes' look loftily past the observer's gaze, as if looking ahead to victory in 2004. Fassianos' earlier 'Olympic' work also bridges the dichotomy between past and present. In his first collection, a commemorative set of four stamps illustrating The Winners, Fassianos explores the ancient spirit of sport and victory and their modern understanding. Four modern-day athletes wear the kotinos, a wreath made of wild olive branches, which was the official prize given to all Olympic athletes participating in the ancient games. The kotinos was also portrayed on the Greek bid logo for the 2004 Olympics. Note: The Philatelic Programme was launched in cooperation with the Greek Post Office in November 2000 with a series of six non-royalty-bearing commemorative stamps. New stamp designs are scheduled to be released each year up to the commencement of the Games. The official website of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games - Games of the XXVIII Olympiad!
08/03/04 |
563740 | 
Happy Birthday Technical details: Issue: Happy Birthday Type of Issue: Commemorative Denomination: $0.37 Issue Date: 10/24/2002 Location: Category: Self-Adhesives Format: Pane of 20 Gum Type: Self-Adhesive Item #: 563740 Price: $7.40 Introduction: RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Happy Birthday! Joyeux Anniversaire! Hau'oli la hanau! Buon Compleanno! Feliz Cumpleanos! In any language, the words "Happy Birthday" bring a grin of delight to the faces of everyone, everywhere. In tribute to the exceptional, outstanding, incomparably special occasion of birthdays, the U.S. Postal Service today issued the vibrant and festive Happy Birthday commemorative stamp at the American Philatelic Society's AmeriStamp Expo. The expo, held in the Riverside Convention Center, runs through February 10. "We're extremely proud of the Happy Birthday stamp," said Robert F. Rider, chairman of the presidentially appointed Postal Service Board of Governors, who dedicated the stamp. "The Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee has received many requests over the years to create a Happy Birthday stamp that is available apart from other greeting designs, and we were all pleased that those requests could be accommodated this year." Riverside postal employees concluded the ceremony with a very spirited rendition of the happy birthday song we all know and love that was written in 1893 by two teachers, Mildred J. Hill and Dr. Patty Smith. Like the two previous Happy Birthday stamps issued in Special Occasions booklets in 1987 and 1988, the 2002 stamp recognizes the tradition of sending special birthday greetings to family and friends, and adds a festive touch to cards and packages. The 34-cent self-adhesive stamp presents a charming design by Harry Zelenko of New York, N.Y., featuring the words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" sprinkled over, under, and all around with multi-colored confetti. Terry McCaffrey of Washington, D.C., was the art director. Note: I heard that our pal Lawrence's birthday was coming this week or next week maybe. Lily and I wanna celebrate his birthday in this way. You see, how greedy he is! Possibly, he wanna swallow the whole cake all by himself with his huge mouth :))
07/25/04 |
1997-12J | 
The 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Technical details: Serial number: 1997-12 Values in set: 5 Date of issue: August 1,1997 Designers: Ji Hongmin; Yao Bin; Luo Genxing; Li Xiang Size: 50*30mm Perforation: 12 Sheet composition: 40 Printing process: offset Introduction: On July 1, 1927, the Communist Party of China mobilized and led the Nanchang Uprising, firing the first shot in the armed rebellion against the Kuomintang reactionaries. This great historic event marked the birth of a revolutionary army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China which shouldered the historic mission of independently leading the armed struggle. Later, the Communist Party of China organized and led a series of armed uprisings such as the Autumn Harvest Uprising and the Guangzhou Uprising. A new-type of people's army unprecedented in the Chinese history was born and grew in the fighting. The new people's army fought bloody wars, undertook the untold 25,000-li Long March, and the entire world was shocked by its brave deed. At a historic moment when the fate of the nation was in peril, the people's army became the main force in fighting against the Japanese invaders. When China faced a choice of fate and future, the people's army fought bravely and eliminated 8 million army of the reactionary Kuomintang, and ushered in the founding of New China. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the people's army has defended the nation's independence, sovereignty and dignity, and forcefully defended the world peace. In many construction projects key to the national economy, the people's army has also played an important role. When the properties of the State and the safety of the people were menaced by serious natural calamities, the people's army were always there at the forefront in the relief efforts. In the new historic era, in line with the theories of Deng Xiaoping on the building of the army in the new era and important instructions given by President Jiang Zemin on army building, the people's army will follow the road of army building with Chinese characteristics, and march forward for the building of a revolutionized modernized and standardized army. Note: (5-1) is titled Land Force, with the values of 50 fen; (5-2) is titled Naval Force, with the values of 50 fen; (5-3) is titled Air Force, with the values of 50 fen; (5-4) is titled Strategic Missile Troups, with the values of 50 fen; (5-5) is titled Joint Military Manoeuvres, with the values of 200 fen; The PLA is a people's army created and led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the principal body of China's armed forces. The PLA is made up of both active and reserve components. Its total force is maintained below the 2,500,000-strong mark. The active components of the PLA are the country's standing army, consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Second Artillery Force, whose main task is to conduct operations of defense, and, if necessary, help to maintain social order in accordance with the law. Through the General Staff Headquarters, the General Political Department, the General Logistics Department and the General Armaments Department, the CMC exercises operational command over the whole PLA and leadership for the development of the PLA.
07/11/04 |
1997-16M | 
The Yellow Mountains Technical details: Serial number: 1997-16 Values in set: 8 Date of issue: October 20,1997 Designers: Shi Songling Size: 50*30mm for Value 1,2,3,6,7,8 40*50mm for Value 4,5 Size of sheetlet: 190*150mm Perforation: 11.5 Sheet composition: 8 Printing process: gravure Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House Introduction: Mt. Huangshan is located in the southern part of Anhui Province at the juncture of Shexian, Yixian, Taiping and Xiuning counties. It was called Mt. Yishan or Mt. Beiyishan in ancient times. A fable goes that Emperor Huangdi once lived here to cultivate personality and to concoct pills of immortality, it was therefore named Mt. Huangshan in the sixth year of Emperor Tianbao of the Tang Dynasty. Mt. Huangshan seems to possess the best features of other famous mountains - the grandeur of Mt. Taishan, the elegance of the Wuyi Mountains, the steepness of Mt. Huashan and the magnificence of Mt. Hengshan. And Mt. Huangshan also has scenic spots which can match up to the heavenly waterfalls of Mt. Lushan, the endless peaks of Mt. Emei and the picturesque rocks of the Yandang Mountains. The ancient people had a saying that "all famous natural sceneries under the heaven are right here in Mt. Huangshan". Xu Xiake, a renowned traveller of the Ming Dynasty, wrote in his "Travel Notes on Mt. Huangshan: "After scaling Mt. Huangshan, one will no longer have the desire to climb other mountains, and travel will come to an end." The scenic zones of Mt. Huangshan covers an area of about 154 square kilometres, including 72 peaks such as the Lianhua Feng (Lotus Flower Peak), 24 brooks such as the Taohua Xi (Peach Flower Brook), 12 caves and eight rocks. People often summarize the beautiful scenery of Mt. Huangshan into "four unique features" - legendary pine trees, strange-shaped rocks, sea of clouds and hot springs. Pine trees on Mt. Huangshan grow coniferous and thick yet short leaves, curved trunks and coiled branches, their tops are flat, and they are luxuriantly green. The Guest-welcoming Pine in front of the Yuping (Jade Screen) Tower and the Phoenix Pine in front of the Haixin Pavilion are the most well known. Vivid they are, some rocks on Mt. Huangshan look like humans while some others are in the shape of particular objects, such as the "Golden Rooster Crowing at the Gate to Heaven" in front of the Banshan Temple and "An Immortal Dries Booth" in the Xihai. Intangible and changing, there are seas of clouds all the year round at Mt. Huangshan. Sometimes they are under the morning shine, and sometimes they are changing rapidly. The mountain and natural scenery give a sense of misty and changing beauty to visitors. Hot springs at Mt. Huangshan are also called "broiling springs" because water temperature remains a constant 42 degrees centigrade all the year round. Water is crystal and sweet, suitable both for bathing and drinking. "Spring comes in April and there is no winter in the year." Mt. Huangshan, with ideal climate, beautiful and imposing scenery, is worth climbing. Mt. Huangshan is one of the most famous scenic spots in China, and is also a well known tourist attraction in the world. Note: The stamps on Mt. Huangshan were issued to celebrate the convening of the 22nd Congress of the International Postal Union and the 1999 China International Philatelic Exhibition. (1-1) is titled MOUNT HUANGSHAN, with the values of 1600 fen; (8-1) is titled Mount Huangshan at Sunrise, with the values of 200 fen; (8-2) is titled Xihai Peaks, with the values of 200 fen; (8-3) is titled Flying Rock on Gushing Clouds, with the values of 200 fen; (8-4) is titled Beihai in Drifting Clouds, with the values of 200 fen; (8-5) is titled Yuping Peak, with the values of 200 fen; (8-6) is titled Mystical Stone, with the values of 200 fen; (8-7) is titled Tiandu Peak over Clouds, with the values of 200 fen; (8-8) is titled A Fabled Abode of Immortals, with the values of 200 fen; The renowned Four Wonders of the Huangshan Mountain are the spectacular peaks, odd-shaped pines, hot springs and seas of cloud. It is named the "fairyland on earth" for the diversity of sceneries in the four seasons. The Huangshan Mountain is endowed with abundant species of protophytes and wild animals. The plenty water resources and the unique seas of cloud make the Huangshan ountain full of charms. It absorbed the spirit of nature and various cultures that belong to the peopIe of different social status in different historical periods, and has developed a special Huangshan Mountain culture. It is the birthplace of traditional Chinese mountains-and-waters painting.
07/03/04 |
2003-11T | 
Suzhou Gardens: the Master-of-Nets Garden Technical details: Serial number: 2003-11 Values in set: 4 Denomination: 4.40 yuan Date of issue: 29th June 2003 Designer: Lao Si Size of stamps: 30*50 mm Perforation: 12.5*13 Sheet composition: 16 for sheet I 8 for Sheet II Printing process: photogravur Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House China National Philatelic Corporation has released an FDC. Introduction: The Master-of-Nets Garden is a famed classical Chinese garden on Shiquan Street by Fengmen Gate in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It was originally Shi Zhengzhi's Hall of Ten Thousand Volumes during the Southern Song Dynasty, known as "Fisherman's Retreat", and later abandoned. It was reconstructed during the reign of Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, and renamed the Master-of-Nets Garden to imply "fisherman's retreat". This ancient and well-preserved private garden is divided into residences in the east and a garden in the west. The two parts are harmoniously united to express an integral whole. The wooden buildings, doors, windows, and partition boards were all crafted with great care and artistic flourishes. Every hall has lattices with semi-transparent panes, with artificial hills outside. The pond at the center, surrounded by flowers, trees, artificial hills, rocks and buildings presents the main vista in the garden. The Late Spring Cottage in the northwest of the garden, a masterpiece in garden design, is known for its exquisite, graceful courtyard and plain, neat buildings. In June 2003, the State Postal Bureau issued a set of four special stamps, third in the Suzhou Gardens series, celebrating the Master-of-Nets Garden. The previous two sets pictured the Lingering Garden (1980) and the Humble Administrator's Garden (1984). Built during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the Master-of-Nets Garden exemplifies the finest in South China landscape architecture. (4-1) 80 fen: The first stamp shows Late Spring Cottage, also called garden within a garden, where the owner's children studied, and conveys artfully its picturesque disorder. (4-2) 80 fen: The second stamp features the Pavilion Greeting the Moon and Breeze. Bounded on three sides by ponds, it is the perfect place to view and enjoy the autumn moon. Beneath it is the Zhuoying Water Pavilion that commands the best view of the garden in summer. The upper right-hand section of the stamp shows the Watching Pines and Appreciating Paintings Studio, the owner's study, in front of which stands an 800-year-old Song Dynasty cypress. (4-3) 80 fen: On the third stamp is the Veranda of Bamboo. From here the garden may be seen at its best in late winter and early spring. Also pictured are the Duck Shooting Corridor and Banshan Pavilion. The waters shown on this stamp are part of the Rosy Clouds Pond, one of the three seen on the second. (4-4) 200 fen: The last stamp is dominated by an image of the Hall of Ten Thousand Volumes -- the owner's extensive library. The master of the house would hold receptions and celebrations in the hall, and the lady of the house used the building behind it for her gatherings. These four different perspectives skillfully combine to express the overall aesthetic excellence of the Master-of-Nets Garden. Note: AS the Chinese saying goes, "In heaven there is paradise; on earth are Suzhou and Hangzhou." Chinese people and foreigners alike first hear of Suzhou from this maxim. In ancient times, Suzhou was a center of economic prosperity and cultural abundance. Even after the passage of time, and the dramatic changes that have taken place in the world, people still speak of and remember Suzhou in all its timeless charm. Suzhou's appeal is not in its skyscrapers, expressways or supermarkets. Sights such as these may be found in its neighboring city, Shanghai. Those who visit Suzhou marvel at its small bridges, murmuring brooks, classic gardens and water towns. While experiencing its prosperity, visitors can also witness the exquisiteness and elegance of Suzhou. In China, gardens fall under two categories: one is the imperial garden, such as the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) and the Garden of Perfect Splendor (Yuanmingyuan) in Beijing, and the Imperial Summer Resort (Bishu Shanzhuang) in Chengde, all of which are magnificent and imposing. The other is the private garden, like those found in Suzhou. A Suzhou garden represents the original concept of "urban scenery." It is a microcosm of the world in one corner of the bustling city, composed of the basic elements of water, rocks, plants and buildings, arranged in such a way as to reflect the garden's sequential beauty -- the passage of time, contrast between morning and evening, and succeeding seasons. The classic gardens of Suzhou are precious heritage within the Chinese cultural treasure house. More than 60 gardens are well preserved, and over a dozen are open to the general public, including the Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan), the Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan), the Master-of-Nets Garden (Wangshi Yuan), the Lion Forest Garden (Shizi Lin), and the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty (Huanxiu Shanzhuang). In December 1997, Suzhou's classic gardens were named World Heritage sites by UNESCO. And according to the latest reports, 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee is held in Suzhou, China from 28 June to 7 July 2004.
06/19/04 |
2001-10T | 
Dragon Boat Festival Technical details: Serial number:2001-10 Values in set: 3 Denomination: 4.40 yuan Date of issue:25th June 2001 Designer: Shang Yu and Huang Li Size of stamps: 40*30mm Perforation:13 Sheet compositon: Sheet 1:40; Sheet 2: 9 Printing process:gravure Printer:Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House Small sheetlet stamps (3 sheets per set) were issued at the same time. Introduction: The traditional Dragon Boat Festival of China is on June 22 this year. Dragon boat race, eating zongzi and hanging out five-coloured thread are age-long activities to celebrate the holiday. Studies indicate that the Dragon Boat Festival originated in primitive people's worships of tribal totems. Legend has it that the holiday was initiated in memory of Qu Yuan, a stateman and patriolic poet of the Kingdom of Chu during the Warring States period. Qu Yuan was exiled by the king because of slandering by evil officiais. He drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month to express his devotion to his country. Deeply grieved, the local people threw many zongzi dumplings into the river so that the fish would not eat him and they tried to save him racing to his throwing spot by boat. Making Zongzi and dragon boat race have since become major activities to mark the festival. (3-1) is titled Dragon Boat Race, with the values of 80 fen; (3-2) is titled Making Zongzi, with the values of 80 fen; (3-3) is titled Expelling Five poisons, with the values of 280 fen. Note: Officially on falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Dragon Boat Festival is also known as Double Fifth Day. While many stories regarding its origin abound, the most popular and widely accepted version regards Qu Yuan, a minister during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). At the end of the Zhou Dynasty, the area we now know as China had fallen into a state of fragmentation and conflict. While the Zhou dynasty had ruled for several centuries, several other states, originally feudal domains, tried to carve out their own kingdoms. The state of Qin would eventually emerge the victor and unify all of China under one rule for the first time in history. Qu Yuan served as minister to the Zhou Emperor. A wise and articulate man, he was loved by the common people. He did much to fight against the rampant corruption that plagued the court-- thereby earning the envy and fear of other officials. Therefore, when he urged the emperor to avoid conflict with the Qin Kingdom, the officials pressured the Emperor to have him removed from service. In exile, he traveled, taught and wrote for several years. Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by the Qin, he fell into despair and threw himself into the Milou River. His last poem reads: Many a heavy sigh I have in my despair, Grieving that I was born in such an unlucky time. I yoked a team of jade dragons to a phoenix chariot, And waited for the wind to come, to sour up on my journey As he was so loved by the people, fishermen rushed out in long boats, beating drums to scare the fish away, and throwing zong zi into the water to feed braver fish so that they would not eat Qu Yuan's body. Dragon Boat races are the most exciting part of the festival, drawing crowds of spectators. Dragon Boats are generally brightly painted and decorated canoes. Ranging anywhere from 40 to 100 feet in length, their heads are shaped like open-mouthed dragons, while the sterns end with a scaly tail. Depending on the length, up to 80 rowers can power the boat. A drummer and flag-catcher stand at the front of the boat. Before a dragon boat enters competition, it must be "brought to life" by painting the eyes in a sacred ceremony. Races can have any number of boats competing, with the winner being the first team to grab a flag at the end of the course. Annual races take place all over China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and other overseas Chinese communities. The traditional food for the Dragon Boat Festival, Zong zi is a glutinous rice ball, with a filling, wrapped in corn leaves. The fillings can be egg, beans, dates, fruits, sweet potato, walnuts, mushrooms, meat, or a combination of them. They are generally steamed. Another aspect of the Double Fifth Day is the timing: at the beginning of summer, when diseases are likely to strike, people also wear talisman to fend off evil spirits. They may hang the picture of Zhong Kui, guardian against evil spirits, on the door of their homes, as well. Adults may drink Xiong Huang Wine, and children carry fragrant silk pouches, all of which can prevent evil. It is said that if you can balance a raw egg on its end at exactly noon on Double Fifth Day, the rest of the year will be lucky. I still remember my granny made traditional craftworks for the whole families while I was rather young in the countryside. Following the local festival customs, we wore xiangbao, decorative 'fragrance pouches' made of colorful fabric embroidered with small animals, plants, or flowers. The perfume inside is said to ward off poisonous creatures. My dear granny made a beautiful heart-shaped pouch with some tiny peach branches and leaves inside. My childhood pals and I all wore colored threads around our fingers, wrists and ankles. If someone could combine the most kinds of colored thread together, he or she would be the King or Queen among us and feel very proud of that. Others might feel jealous of it. She once hung healthy herbs on the front door, drank nutritious concoctions, and displayed portraits of evil's nemesis, Chung Kuei. What an impressive festival it is!
05/29/04 |
Czech Republic , 2002: Comics, detem 1v | 
FOR CHILDREN Catalogue No: 0323 Date of Issue: 29/5/2002 Face Value: 5,40 CZK Printing Sheets: 30 stamps Size of the Stamp: 23*30mm Graphic Artist: Zdenek Miler Engraver: Bohumil Sneider Method of Printing: rotary recess print in black combined with photogravure in yellow, red, blue and black Subject of the Stamp: The mole, holding a spade in the middle of his garden and with a smiling butterfly on his raised finger, is one of the best known and most popular characters from the Vecernicek television cartoons and has appeared in books and films for over 40 years. Printing Sheet: (booklet) 8 ks stamps + 2 coupons Introduction: Stories of Detem is a well-known cartoon picture in Czech Republic. The first episode of the series was made in 1957. At that time, the image of Detem was comparatively personalized, but he was not so cute or kind-hearted as we consider later on. Besides, there were many dialogs in it. Since the middle period of the 1960s, his image has been fixed permanently. Particularly, 12 short programmes of Detem were produced in 1974 and 1975. As we all know, in the middle of the 1970s, cartoon pictures were all made and accomplished by hand. The procedures were too complicated. In the 1980s, there were only four episodes shown up on the screen. The themes were mostly concerned with the worries about modern social resources and environmental protections, which were less pleasing and relaxing than the works in the 1970s. Detem and His Partners published in 1984 was a pretty long picture. As far as I know, the latest episode was Detem and the Alarm Clock in 1994. In my memory, two cartoons once drove daddy and me so crazy when I was a senior high school student. One is Tom and Jerry, the other is Stories of Detem. Possibly in 1992 or 1993, Detem caught our eyes in the colored TV set. Then daddy and I started to fall in love with this cute character. We had a wonderful time while watching the series of Detem together and shared our opinions about him with each other. Detem, this lovely mole, is so fond of digging the holes with a spade everywhere surrounding his own home. Sometimes he loves murmuring and whistling at work. Note: Although it appears on Western calendars, International Children's Day is not a holiday celebrated by most Americans. In other parts of the world - notably China - it is a very important day. Children's Day evolved from the 1925 "World Conference for the Well Being of Children." Held in Geneva, Switzerland, and attended by representatives from 54 countries, the conference passed the "Geneva Declaration Protecting Children." The proclamation focused on poverty, prevention of child labor, education and other issues related to the welfare of children around the world. After the conference, various governments around the world designated a day, different in each country, as Children's Day, to encourage and bring joy to children as well as to draw the attention of society to children's issues. Since about 1949, Children's Day has been a very popular holiday in China. On that day, children hold performances and sing and dance, often dressed in their best clothes and wearing makeup. Even in orphanages, the children put on complex shows. Family and teachers bestow special presents and treats on the children.
05/16/04 |
Korean Stamps | 
Korean Food Series (3rd) Title: Korean Food Series (3rd) Kind: Four kinds Date of Issue: June 13, 2003 Quantity: 1 million stamps each Denomination: 190 won Design: Traditional Korean confectionery (Yugwa, Yeot Gangjeong, Yakgwa, Dasik) Stamp No.: 2327-2330 Printing Process and Colors: Photogravure, six colors Size of Stamp: 40mm*30mm Image Area: 37mm*27mm Perforation: 13 Sheet Composition: 5*4 Paper: White Unwatermarked Designer: Kim Hyun Printer: Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation Introduction: In the third bundle of the Korean Food Series, traditional Korean confectionery is introduced. Traditional Korean cookies and sweets, called Hangwa or Gwajul in Korean, are made by mixing grain flour with honey, yeot (sweet wheat gluten) and sugar, which are then kneaded and pan-fried. They may also be marinated in honey with fruits, seeds and plant roots, simmered, and then hardened. Yugwa Also called Gangjeong, the crispy Yugwa crumbles and melts in the mouth. This sweet Korean confectionery is made of glutinous rice flour mixed with alcohol. The batter is kneaded, steamed, then dried. The dried batter is fried alternately on low and hot heat and coated with honey. Dongguksesigi, a book on traditional Korean customs, records that the five-colored Gangjeong is an indispensible dish to serve guests on lunar New Year's day. Yeot Gangjeong Yeot Gangjeong is made of dried and fried rice or glutinous rice, or walnuts, pine, roasted beans, sesame, perilla seeds or peanuts mixed with sweet wheat gluten. The mixture is flattened, cut into bite-size pieces and hardened. This sweet cookie was usually made during the cold season and given to children visiting households during the lunar New Year. Yakgwa Yakgwa is made of wheat flour kneaded with sesame oil, honey, alcohol and ginger juice. The batter is fried then dipped in honey until the honey is fully absorbed into the dough. It is then taken out of the honey and left to stand at a well-ventilated spot. Yakgwa has long been one of the most cherished confectionery of Korea. When the crown prince under King Chungryeol of the Goryeo Kingdom served Yakgwa while hosting a banquet for the court of the Yuan Dynasty, it was greatly appreciated by the ancient Chinese royals. Dasik Dasik is made by parching sesame, beans and glutinous rice and powdering them, which is then kneaded with honey. The dough is pressed into desired shapes with a dasik-pan, or traditional cookie mold. Samgukyusa, a historical book on the Three Kingdoms period, records that Dasik originated during the Three Kingdoms Period when pollen was served on tables prepared for religious rites. These cookies are invariably served on ceremonial occasions such as weddings, religious rituals or on 61st birthdays, an important rite of passage in Korea. Note: As we all know, Weihai has a very harmonious relationship with South Korea commercially in business. There're many shopping centers around the ports and downtowns of Weihai City, with all kinds of Korean goods on sale. In addition, many Korean restaurants are open in the neighbourhoods. The processings of those delicious foods are delicate and dainty. One sort of food called "iced noodles" is definitely impressive to me. Anyway, you would be warmly welcomed to Weihai and enjoy those tasty Korean confectionaries by the local residents and South Korean businessmen. Be our guests!
05/2/04 |
Austrian Stamps | 
Definitives: Holidays in Austria Introduction: Villas in Karnten----Karnten is the most southerly province in Austria and therefore has a climate to match. There are 200 lakes whose waters can reach between 24 and 27 degrees. The Karnten lakes are well known for the quality of water. It is an ideal place for water sports and walking holidays. The national parks of the Hochkonnig and the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, is one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. Karnten has everything to ensure a lovely stay in the countryside: wild torrents, peaceful mountains, marked foot and cycle paths, horse riding routes, golf courses and modern sports facilities. The winter sports resorts of the Hochkonnig, Carnique Alps and Karawanken mountains are not only ideal for skiers and snowboarders but also for those who want to have an energetic winter. There are also several spa resorts in this region, all providing relaxation and well being. Karnten is one of the most peaceful regions and the local people are well known for their hospitable nature. Going to Karnten is like going to stay with friends. Villas in Burgenland----This is the most western region of Austria and has a mild climate because of the Danube. This region is not only famous for its wines but also for the fact that the largest lake in central Europe is found here, Lake Neusiedler. The unique national park at Neusiedler See - Seewinkel, is a real national treasure, with superb flora and fauna that cannot be matched anywhere in Europe. Swimming and other water sports, relaxation, hiking, horse riding, cycling (1000 km of marked paths) are some of the activities that children and the family can enjoy. Spa and sports holidays in the south of the province which is also ideal for relaxation breaks. The castles that have given their name to small towns are scattered throughout the whole region. There are not many other regions that offer as much in terms of culture (e.g. the festival of Lake Morbisch) and natural sites of beauty, as this region does. Holidays here are of top quality for everyone, whether you want a peaceful break or a "fun and fitness" holiday. Villas in Oberosterreich----This region has a huge variety of natural countryside. Its rich history is still evident today displayed by its old towns, castles and fortresses. Not forgetting the Muhlviertel and the Bohemian Forest, the Dachstein, a large mountain with its famous caves and grottos (Dachsteinholen). You are now in the heart of the Salzkammergut, with its limestone mountains and lakes set in the greenery. One of these lakes "Lake Wolfgang" is famous worldwide thanks to the opera "Weissen Rossl" which is now part of Austria's cultural heritage. In addition to this, Lake Hallstadt is famous amongst historians world-wide. It was here that in 1824 the largest burial ground was found (it contained 2000 tombs). Some of the unearthed items can be seen in the Hallstadt Museum. The other lakes Atter, Traun, Wolfgang, Mond have lush green banks, surrounded by hills that house charming villages. It is a true pleasure to stay in this region and as well as the joy of discovering all it has to offer, you still have the beach, water sports and hiking to enjoy.
04/25/04 |
Polish Stamps | 
Royal Baths/LAZIENKI/ designer: prof. Stanislaw Wieczorek quantity of stamps: 4 face values: 1. 20, 1. 80, 2. 10, 2. 60 PLN issues: face value 2. 60 PLN - 1, 000, 000 --------face value 1. 80 PLN - 3, 000, 000 --------face value 1. 20 PLN - 4, 000, 000 --------face value 2. 10 PLN - 2, 000, 000 printing technique: rotogravure size of the stamps: 43 x 31, 25, 5 mm paper: fluorescent selling sheets: 50 stamps each sheet date of circulation: 30 May 2003 Introduction: The Royal Baths, called also Warsaw Baths are an authentic monument of the history but also a place charming by its beauty, where as says the poet "Poland can be seen better". The history of the famous park and palace complex reaches the year 1680, when on the commission of the prince Stanislaw Herakliusz Lubomirski the architect Tylman von Gameren has constructed a central pavilion Baroque style being a bath. Hence the name of the complex. On the prepared by the Polish Post set of post stamps are presented the most characteristic for LAZIENKI monuments: - face value 2. 60 PLN - the Amphitheatre - face value 1. 80 PLN - Palace on the Island /North view/ - face value 1. 20 PLN - Palace on the Island /South view/ - face value 2. 10 PLN - Myslewicki Palace Note: Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the last king of Poland, conferred to LAZIENKI the shape that in his basic outline was preserved to the present time. He has created a center beaming the culture all over the Country. It is his merit that the name Royal Baths became current. On the commission of the King the architects D. Merlini and J.Ch. Kramsetzer and the sculptor A. Le Brun transformed the bath building into a classicistic palace called since then The Palace on the Island or The Palace on Water. Summer time the king celebrated the so called "Thursday Dinners" with participation of outstanding men of letters, scientists and artists. In the park have been built in the style of early classicism the White House and the Myslewicki Palace, a pavilion in Chinese style, also an amphitheatre with the stage on an island, a bridge with the monument of the king Jan III Sobieski, the Great Orangery and the building of the Guardhouse. Has been started to be erected the church called the Temple of Erroneousness according to the project of J. Kubicki. The period of splendor of the park-palace complex passed with the end of the reign of the king Stanislaw August. The later history of the Royal Baths has been identical with the difficult history of the whole nation. During the II World War the museum collections have been robbed and taken to Germany. The Nazi have destroyed the monument of Fryderyk Chopin, have burned the Palace on the Island. After the war the Royal Baths have been reconstructed, they are as formerly accessible to the public, are taking place concertos, theatre spectacles and meetings, museums are in activity. On the day of introduction of the stamps into circulation will be in sales two types of FDC on which has been placed the sculpture Venus from the Bath Room of the Palace on the Island and the monument of the king Jan II Sobieski. At the Post Office Warszawa 1 will be in use a special cancellation.
03/28/04 |
Polish Stamps | 
Easter On March 12, 2004, the Poland Post issued a two-piece set of Easter stamps (stamp size: 31.25 * 25.5mm), designed by Tomasz Boguslawski. Introduction: Poland is a country filled with Catholic traditions. Easter is a very important holiday there. People love to send letters and greeting cards during the Easter holiday. The theme topic of this set of Easter stamps in Poland in 2004 lies in Easter Bunnies and lambs. Easter Bunnies are very symbolic even though the original stories between Easter and Bunnies are unknown. And chocolate rabbits are the most popular gifts. As we all know, lambs are also a token of Christianity. Note: Easter is a time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, the Crocuses and the Daffodils. It's a time of new suits, new dresses and patent leather shoes. A time for Christians to celebrate the life and resurrection of Christ. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs! This year Easter will be celebrated on Sunday April 11, 2004. Orthodox Easter will also celebrated on Sunday, April 11th. In Christian countries Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. But the celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity. Scholars, accepting the derivation proposed by the 8th-century English scholar St. Bede, believe the name Easter is thought to come from the Scandinavian "Ostra" and the Teutonic "Ostern" or "Eastre," both Goddesses of mythology signifying spring and fertility whose festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox. Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. Easter is observed by the churches of the West on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 2I). So Easter became a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. "Here comes Peter Cottontail; hoppin' down the bunny trail; Hippity hoppity; Easter's on its way!" Welcome to Happy-Easter.com!
03/14/04 |
T.141 | 
Chinese Paintings On September 1, 1989, the State Post Bureau issued a three-piece set of special stamps, with a total face value of 0.78 yuan. Introduction: This set has three stamps. The first is "Story of the White Snake" created by Ye Qianyu in 1960. On the left of the painting was the author's title words: "In 1960, the China Beijing Opera Academy performed in the Americas, I painted a playbill for it which repainted as what it is now." The second is "Rain in Li River" by Li Keran in 1977 with the author's title words:" Boating in Li River in rain as if in a crystal palace with all its foggy and hollow hills and rivers." The third is "Striving Forward Together" by Wu Zuoren in 1978. The author, by using techniques of the Chinese ink-and-wash, fully expressed the perseverance and courage of a yak, giving out a beauty of strength. Note: Ye Qianyu, born in Tonglu county, Zhejiang Province in March of 1907, was engaged in cartoon painting from 1927 to 1937. His lengthy cartoon named "Mr. Wang" was published in newspaper in series. During the War of Resistance against Japan, he was one of the heads in "Nation Salvation Association". In 1941, he composed hundreds of cartoons entitled Chongqing At Wartime. In 1944 he exhibited in Chongqing his cartoons painted while traveling in India. He published his series of cartoons "Heaven Notes" on New People's Paper at Beijing in 1948, which showed what he saw in America. He also published Paintings of Ye Qianyu. Now he is a professor of the Central Arts College, director of the Chinese Painting Department, deputy chairman of the Chinese Painters' Association, member of the Chinese Cultural Association and deputy head of the Institute of the Chinese Painting Research. Li Keran, born at Xuzhou in Jiangsu Province in 1907, began studying the Chinese water painting at the age of 13. At the age of 22, he studied oil painting and sketch in the Research Department in the West Lake National Art Academy. Later he studied under the tutorship of Qi Baishi and Huang Binhong. In the early 1950s, in order to promote reform and development of the Chinese painting, he for ten years traveled over 100,000 li across the country. Through his own long-term practice, his style in painting after repeated changes gradually became solemn, sober and dignified, called "Li Mountains and Rivers". Wu Zuoren, whose native place was Jingxian County in Anhui Province, was born in Suzhou in October of 1908. In 1921 he entered an industrial school for preparatory courses through an examination. In 1927 he began to study in the Fine Arts department of the Art University of Shanghai. In 1928 he studied in the Fine Arts Department in the Nanguo Art College in Shanghai. Being in France from 1930 onwards, he studied in the Paris Liberty Academy of Painting, then in Louver College. Later he entered Basille Studio of the Royal Fine Arts College in Belgium. In 1931, He was awarded a gold medal and as Laureate Student from the college for his excellent achievements. He returned to China in 1935 to be a teacher in the Fine Art Department of the Central University in Nanjing. After 1949, he did teaching and leading work in the Central Fine Arts College. In 1985 the French Government and Ministry of Culture awarded him the Highest Medal of Art and Literature. In 1988, Belgium King Baudouin I granted him a "Crown Medal". Being gifted with keen intelligence, he was well learned with both the Eastern and the Western cultures. In his sixty years of art creation, he produced numerous treasured works, including Selected Works of Wu Zuoren's Oil Paintings, and Selected Works of Wu Zuoren's Chinese Ink and Washes.
03/08/04 |
673540 | 
Garden BouquetType of Issue: Commemorative--------Category: New Issue Denomination: $0.37-----------------Format: Book of 20 Issue Date: 3/3/2004---------------Gum Type: Self-Adhesive Location: New York, NY----------------Item #: 673540 Introduction: For true romance, choose a bouquet with a fresh-picked look. Maybe the scent of lilacs reminds you of childhood days playing in your grandmother's back yard. It could be the sight of tulips triggers how you feel when spring's first flowers poke through the garden. Maybe you're just a true romantic or a green thumb at heart. Whatever the reason, if you love the idea of a bouquet bursting with garden-style blooms, your options are plentiful. "Garden flowers are all about sentiment and emotion," says Lynn McGraw of Sweet Pea's Floral Designs in Woodbury. "They're a beautiful choice for weddings." How is a garden flower different from any other? In general, it encompasses anything you would find gardeners growing outdoors in your region. That means no orchids or other tropicals, but any of the hundreds of blooms that grow in our climate, including spring daffodils, tulips, bleeding heart, and lily-of-the-valley; summer garden phlox, old-fashioned roses, lilies, and herbs; and fall asters, coneflowers, sunflowers, and mums. There aren't any strict rules for how to arrange garden flowers. After all, garden bouquets are meant to be looser and more carefree than other styles. But you'll want to remember a few guidelines. The more varieties and colors in your bouquet, the less formal it will look. Also, the smaller your blooms, the more informal the bouquet. Ultimately, the key is to choose flowers that speak to you. Note: After a long, cold winter we are anxious for spring to appear in our gardens. As I opened the window tonight, I could feel the scents of spring. Particularly, the moonshine gleams so brightly and softly. The sky is blue and clear. Those lovely stars are sparkling above you. What you can do is to shut your eyes and take a deep breath...more like living in a paradise. And spring is almost here. "March is an in between month, when wintry winds are high. But milder days remind us all, spring's coming by and by." Springtime is garden time. We can appreciate all kinds of beautiful flowers around the gardens. Some sort of elegant flowers attract me very often. I received two flowers from the girls in my class this morning. It's International Women's Day. They showed their best wishes to me and told me they'd like to send me bouquets of flowers only because they loved me so much. I was quite moved and touched by their words. At lunchtime, they told me some funny stories about their childhood. We had a great time together. So...my students means spring to me! I went to a park near the beach last Sunday afternoon. Some kids flying their kites high on the square came into my sight. It reminded me of some sweet memories in my childhood. When I was in the elementary school, my teachers joined us to fly kites every March. "On many spring days I wish that I could be a kite flying in the sky. I would climb high toward the sun and chase the clouds. Oh, what fun!"
02/29/04 |
1998-6T | 
Nine-Village Valley On Mar 26, 1998, the State Post Bureau issued a four-piece set of special stamps (stamp size:50*38mm), designed by Li Rongqing, Li Changqing and Zhang Youju, with a total face value of 4 yuan. Introduction: (4-1)Fangcao Lake,(4-2)Wuhua Lake,(4-3)Shuzheng Waterfalls,(4-4)Nuorilang Waterfalls. The Nine-village Valley is a natural and pure fairy land with green mountains and crystal water. The Nine-village Valley is a primeval and simple, mysterious and yet fantastic paradise on earth. The Nine-village Valley, so named because there used to be nine Tibetan villages in the valley, is located in Nanping County in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Nationality Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, which is more than 400 kilometers from Chengdu City. Because the Nine-village Valley lies in the transition area from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the Sichuan Basin, it has developed unique terrain features and has become a world famous scenic area of the mountain-water category. The Nine-village Valley is beautiful because it is natural, primeval and full of unexpected changes. Entering the Nine-village Valley, one can take into the eyes such phenomena as colourful forest, green lakes, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. The Nine-village Valley is especially famous for its water, which is crystal and colourful - dark blue, emerald green and indigo blue. When sunshine falls on the water surface, it seems that the former has lighted the ripples of the blue water, shining and dazzling. The water of the Nine-village Valley takes various shapes: flowing silently in the bushes, meandering along the brooks, gushing over boulders and shoals and falling down from atop of rocks. The Nine-village Valley is more than 50 kilometers in length, sceneries as lakes, waterfalls and shoals are differentiating, and the Changhai (Long Sea), the Fangcao Lake and the Nuorilang Waterfalls are the most well known scenic spots in the Nine-village Valley. In 1992, the Nine-village Valley, as a tourist attraction in China, was listed in the "Catalogue of World Natural Heritages" and thus has become a treasure shared by the entire mankind. Note: Jiuzhaigou is a narrow strip of lowland, four hundred kilometers long, in the Minshan Mountain Range in Nanping County, northeast Sichuan. It got its name because there are nine Tibetan villages in the valley. As it is a remote place with unusually charming scenery and few inhabitants, it is often called the "wonderland on earth." The valley, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is covered with luxuriant primitive forests and dotted by more than a hundred lakes and ponds of various sizes. At the bottom of the clear blue lakes, stones and waterweeds twinkle in the sun, producing a rainbow of colors. As the valley is of a terraced topography, waterfalls are created between lakes on different levels, the biggest drop being over twenty meters. The roaring sound of the falls echoes through the valley. The valley is home to a great variety of plants and rare animals, such as the giant panda, lesser panda, golden monkey, and antelope. To develop tourism here, China plans to build a hotel with 50 beds, a restaurant, and other facilities. The valley will be divided into five scenic areas along a 54-kilometer route with five tourist service centers. The highway will be widened, and an airport will be built.
02/21/04 |
1998-2T | 
Ancient Gardens On Jan 18, 1998, the State Post Bureau issued a four-piece set of special stamps (stamp size:50*30mm), designed by Guo Chenghui, Yan Bingwu and Pan Keming, with a total face value of 4 yuan. Introduction: The Chinese garden art is impressive and inspiring. Geographically, the northern gardens are broad and emphasize magnificence; while the southern gardens of the Yangtze River are meandering and emphasize the disposition. The Garden of Lingnan refers to the classic gardens of the Qing Dynasty in the central and eastern parts of Guangdong Province, which emphasizes a family atmosphere. It consists of lobbies and rooms, buildings and corridors, with complete facilities, as well as distinct demarcations between the main and the accessory. The Keyuan Garden, the Liangyuan Garden, the Qinghui Garden and the Yuyin Mountain Mansion are the representatives of the Garden of Lingnan. They usually occupy small tracts of land where the pavilions and verandas are simply shaped, complicated shape composition is rarely seen, and usually a corner of their roofing is overhanging. Every garden must have a pond or pool surrounding the house. Inside the garden grow the opulent and lush plants, miniaturizing the spring flowers and autumn harvest as well as mountains and water of the nature into a small, elegant garden, and creating an extraordinary atmosphere. Wandering in the Garden of Lingnan, one enjoys a delightful taste of the family life, for the gardens may help cultivate the personality and provide a good place of rest. In their structure, Garden of Lingnan is more like a combination of small gardens: with the traditional styles of Chinese classic gardens as well as strikingly local flavour and unique charms because of geographical, climatic and local folk influences. Note: The term "Lingnan Gardens" refers to the garden culture of the entire Lingnan region which includes Guangzhou, Shunde, Foshan and Zhaoqing. The region is endowed with a unique climate, and is a school of its own in terms of language, theatre, music, painting and arts and crafts. The Lingnan gardens are unique as well. The natural characters of a garden are emphasized in the Lingnan school of Chinese garden Culture. Mountains, springs, lakes and islands are put to best use in the construction of gardens that look fresh and lively and wide open and that always attract visitors with an unadorned beauty. The layout of a garden is mapped out strict according to a well-defined concept. Instead of deep courtyards and zigzagging paths, Lingnan gardens are as a rule straightforward and open for all to see. Buildings are erected at carefully chosen sites, and their designs are succinct and simple and in cheerful colors. Graceful and fluent are the words for the style of Lingnan, which are neither as splendid as northern gardens and nor as delicate and elegant as gardens in the lower Yangtze valley. The Lingnan garden style is represented by the four framed Qing-dynasty gardens in Guangdong - the Yuying Mountain House in Fanyu of Guangzhou, the Keyuan Garden in Dongguan, the Liangyuan Garden in Foshan, and the Qinghuiyuan Garden in Shunde. In addition, the Chengs' Ancestral Temple figures prominently as a typical ancient mansion-type garden.
02/15/04 |
T.60 | 
Palace Lantern On Feb 19, 1981, the State Post Bureau issued a six-piece set of special stamps (stamp size:), with a total face value of 1.08 yuan. Introduction: The palace lantern is also called the palace festive lantern, one of the special arts and crafts in traditional Chinese culture. Beside its practical use, it is a highly sophisticated and refined work of arts and craftsmanship for decoration, reflecting the imperial glory and splendor. The lanterns are octahedral, hexahedral and quadrahedral, painted with dragon and phoenix, felicity and longevity and good fortune patterns and some Chinese characters in pictures. The material are of the top quality like red sandalwood and nanmu decorated with gold and silver. They are made with meticulous process and consummate skills of carving, engraving and painting. There are many types including: pendant lanterns, wall lanterns, holding lanterns and so on. This set consist of six stamps. 6-1 Flower Basket lantern. 6-2 Dragon Ball Lantern. 6-3 Dragon and Phoenix Lantern. 6-4 Treasured Basin Lantern. 6-5 Grass and Flower Lantern. 6-6 Peony Lantern. On the 15th of the first lunar month, it is the Lantern Festival. The making of the lantern has a long history with complicated procedures. The lanterns made in Beijing are full of classical elegance. Note: Falling on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar Year, the Lantern Festival takes place under a full moon, and marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities. The Lantern Festival dates back to shrouded legends of the Han Dynasty over 2000 years ago. Chinese started to celebrate the Lantern Festival from the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 221 AD). Like most other Chinese festivals, there is also a story behind the Festival. It is also believed that the festival has Taoist origins. This is a festival for people having fun. On the night of the festival, people go on streets with a variety of lanterns under the full moon, watching lions or dragon dancing, playing Chinese riddles and games, and lighting up firecrackers. There is really a lot of fun for the young and the old. The festival is not well celebrated in the US, though you may find celebrations in some Chinese communities, such as Hsi Lai Temple, Hacienda Heights, California. Yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball) or Tangyuan is the special food for the Lantern Festival. It is believed that Yuanxiao is named after a palace maid, Yuanxiao, of Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty. Yuanxiao is a kind of sweet dumpling, which is made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing. And the festival is named after the famous dumpling. Yuanxiao is sticky, sweet and round in shape, symbolizing family unity, completeness and happiness. Links: Folk customs on Lantern Festival. History & Origin of this Festival.
02/07/04 |
STAMP-24 | 
Love: Candy Hearts Type of Issue: Commemorative--------Category: New Issue Denomination: $0.37-----------------Format: Book of 20 Issue Date: 1/14/2004---------------Gum Type: Self-Adhesive Location: Revere, MA----------------Item #: 672840 Introduction: Love stamps are the finishing touch to Valentine's Day cards, wedding invitations, and love letters. And this year, as it has for every year since 1973, the United States Postal Service issues a new love stamp. This year's love stamps feature an illustration of yellow and pink heart-shaped candies that together say "I Love You." It was created by Michael Osborne of San Francisco. The love stamp motif is based on the popular Valentine's Day candy, miniature sugar hearts that have been made by the New England Confectionary Co. (NECCO) for more than a century. The issue date and location for the 2004 love stamp is January 14, 2004 in Revere, MA. "People have been using Sweethearts to express their affection since the 1800s. We're very honored the Postal Service is using these candy images on their new Love postage stamp to help people further communicate their sentiments," said NECCO President Domenic M. Antonellis. "Our hearts have been passed down from generation to generation and the new stamp is a testament to our candy's place in U.S. history." The concept of the Sweethearts Conversation Heart dates back to the 1800s when printed sayings on colored paper were placed in "cockles," small crisp candies formed in the shape of a scalloped shell. "Since 1973, the Love stamp has been a popular addition to cards and letters mailed to friends and loved ones all year long and particularly to celebrate Valentine's Day," said David Failor, executive director of Stamp Services for the Postal Service. "In 2004, the candy hearts -- those little tokens of affection -- will help spread good cheer on millions of letters mailed in virtually every town across America." The first Love stamp was issued by the Postal Service in 1973 with a denomination of 8 cents and an iconic design by pop artist Robert Indiana. Since that time, Love stamps have featured a wide range of subjects, including flowers, animals, cherubs and love letters as well as abstract designs. Note: Valentine's Day is right around the corner. With a little planning, you can order the perfect Valentine's Day gift online and present it in time for a loving, intimate Valentine's Day. Anyhow, it's a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, and a sensual perfume fragrance... Connect to your friends and family on the event on Valentine's Day with free Valentine greeting cards from TheHolidaySpot. We have arranged for the best of Valentine greetings on the net, so that you can say "Happy Valentine's Day" with only the best of the egreetings. Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. Love verses and poems by famous poets. Say I LOVE YOU in many languages. Links: Glossary of Philatelic Terms. Stamp collecting can be a lifelong fun and educational hobby for all ages. It's easy to start your own collection without a big investment. HERALD: If you want to remove stamps from envelopes, it pays to be careful. The best way to remove stamps from envelopes is to soak them. Here's how: 1. Tear or cut off the upper right-hand corner of the envelope. 2. Place it, stamp side down, in a small pan of warm water. After a few minutes, the stamp will sink to the bottom. 3. Wait a few more minutes for any remaining gum to dislodge from the stamp. 4. Lift the stamp out with tongs (a metal tool, like tweezers) if you have a pair. It's better to handle stamps with tongs because oil from your skin can damage stamps. 5. Place the stamp between two paper towels and put a heavy object, such as a book, on top. This will keep the stamp from curling as it dries. Leave the stamp there overnight. 6. If the stamp is a newer one with "invisible" gum, dry it face down with nothing touching the back and flatten it later if necessary. Otherwise, it may stick to the paper towel when drying.
01/29/04 |
2004-2T | 
Taohuawu New Year Wooden Pictures It's an F.D.C.(stands for "First-Day Cover"). On Jan 14, 2004, the State Post Bureau issued a four-piece set of special stamps (stamp size: 30*40mm), designed by Wang Huming, with a total face value of 4.40 yuan. A miniature sheet was issued at the same time. Introduction: In China, there are three major kinds of traditional New Year pictures: the Yangliuqing in Tianjin, the Taohuawu in Jiangsu Province, and the Yangjiabu in Shandong Province. Of these three kinds, New Year paintings made by the peasants of Yangjiabu seem to be not only the most primitive but also the most original. Yangliuqing New Year pictures feature a combination of classical and folk-art techniques. Taohuawu pictures carry on the traditions of previous dynasties and also adopt Western perspectives and shadings. In spite of the differences between the three schools, all the New Year pictures have some common characteristics. The people portrayed in New Year pictures look healthy and happy and usually have complete bodies. Heads are usually a bit larger than natural so that the face, which is the most expressive part of a person, is emphasized. New Year pictures portray various topics from history to daily life. Originally, door gods or kitchen gods dominated the pictures. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, New Year pictures started to draw their themes from the people's lives and also from history, folklore, mythology, novels, and operas. The most impressive of the pictures are those from fairy tales and stories. Heroes in Chinese classics such as Zhu Geliang, Guan Yunchang, Zhang Fei, and Cao Cao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wu Song, Li Kui, and Song Jiang in Outlaws of the Marsh, are all commonly pictured in New Year paintings. Figures in well-known folk tales like "The White Snake" and "Romance of the Butterflies" are also portrayed. Another characteristic of New Year pictures is the use of symbolism. For example, a chubby, happy baby is often shown embracing a big fish, with a lotus flower at its side. The word "fish" in Chinese is yu, which sounds like another word meaning "affluence", and the word "lotus" in Chinese is lian, which is a homonym of another word meaning "in succession". These symbols express people's hopes for consecutive good harvests. Many other objects used in New Year pictures also have symbolic meanings. The peony represents wealth and honor; the peach symbolizes longevity, and the pomegranate and red plum reflect a large number of children. Note: In China's cities and the countryside, New Year pictures are closely linked with the Spring Festival (the Chinese New Year). Pasting up New Year pictures is a part of the festive celebrations. When the Spring Festival comes around, people, especially in rural areas, decorate the doors, windows, and walls of their houses with brightly colored pictures. They hope the pictures will bring their families good luck and prosperity. To many, it would not be a "happy" New Year without the New Year pictures. No other Chinese art form has enjoyed such widespread popularity. New Year pictures have a long history and can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Originally, people painted menshen (door gods) on their doors with ink and colors to protect their families from devils. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), pictures of door gods were gradually replaced by those of people from real life. In the Song Dynasty (960-1279) woodblock printed New Year pictures were traded among the ordinary people. New Year pictures were gradually popularized and developed into an independent art form. In the seventeenth century, during the period of great prosperity of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), New Year pictures flourished along with other handicrafts. Zongjia Village in Qingdao, Shandong province is home to many representative wood-cut New Year's paintings. They come in various forms and styles, many featuring simple strokes and bright colors. Most of the Zongjia Village New Year's paintings are folk art figures or other decorative paintings. To enrich the content of the paintings, villagers have been inviting professionals to help them design modern New Year's paintings, such as Peking opera facial masks as well as depictions of historical stories. They now have more hope their own folk art will once again flourish in the future. Spring festival woodcut pictures from Zhuxian town are one of Henan's most famous folk arts. It still exhibits the essence of Han and Tang dynasties' grotto paintings and is regarded as the origin of modern Chinese woodcut painting style. However influential it has been, this ancient art is disappearing fast and there is only one inheritor of the craft left alive today. The saddest picture of all is when an art form becomes extinct. Thankfully something is being done to stop more arts going the way of the dodo and following Yu City's Clay Inkstone and Lu's Wooden Monkey into history's trash-can. Links: Visual Arts. Traditional Taohuawu Woodcut New Year Pictures.
01/14/04 |
2000-2M |
Spring Festival 122*82mm (stamp size: 90*60mm), designed by Hao Xudong, and issued on 1/29/2000. Introduction: China's traditional festivals have evolved through the centuries from past major events. For instance, long ago when people had a bountiful harvest, they gathered and celebrated their good fortune with gala performances. When natural disasters struck, they offered sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors, hoping for a blessing. The change of the seasons, flowers in spring, and the bright moon in autumn could all arouse their longing for a more beautiful life. Thus, creative activities were held to signify these events. Gradually these activities developed into festivals. The most important festival in China is the Spring Festival. It is said that the Spring Festival evolved from an activity known as the Winter Sacrifice. It was a custom practiced by the people of primitive society. As the cold winter began to recede and the warm spring was about to begin, the people of an entire clan gathered together. They brought out their bounty from hunting, fishing and the field. They thanked the gods for the blessings of nature, including the mountains, rivers, the sun, the moon and stars. They thanked their ancestors. Then they shared and enjoyed the sumptuous bounty of the land, sea, air and fields as they ate, danced and sang heartily. In the beginning, their activity had no fixed date. But usually it was held at the end of each winter. Gradually, through the years, it was celebrated at the end of the old year or the beginning of the new. With the changes and disingtegration of primitive society, the form and content of the Winter Sacrifice also changed. Ultimately, it became a festival to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new year. So it came to be called the Spring Festival. Since the Spring Festival marks the first day of a brand new year, the first meal is rather important. People from north and south have different sayings about the food they eat on this special day. In Northern China, people usually eat Jiaozi or dumplings shaped like a crescent moon. It is said that dumplings were first known in China some 1,600 years ago. Its Chinese pronunciation Jiaozi means midnight or the end and the beginning of time. According to historical records, people from both north and south ate dumplings on Chinese New Year's Day. Perhaps because Southern China produced more rice than any other area, gradually, southern people had many more other choices on New Year's Day. In additon to Jiaozi, the most common foods for the first meal of the Spring Festival are noodles, New Year Cakes and Tangtuan, a kind of round sweet dumplings. Both the cakes and dumplings are made of glutinous rice flour. In China, the noodle symbolizes longevity. The New Year Cake is called Nian Gao in Chinese. It conveys the hope of improvement in life year after year, the round sweet dumpling is a symbol of reunion. Note: All the traditional festivals in China are based on the Chinese lunar calendar. The Spring Festival marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year. In Chinese, we also say Guo Nian, meaning keeping off the monster of Nian. There are many legends about the origin of Nian. The most popular one is this. It is said that Nian was a fierce monster back in ancient times. It looked like a strong bull with a head like that of a lion. Usually the monster stayed deep in the mountains and caught and ate other beasts. But during the winter, it could not find enough food. So it came out of its mountain lair and entered villages to eat whatever it could catch. Villagers became very frightened and moved away to escape the ferocious monster. But later the people found that even though it was fierce, Nian was afraid of three things: the red color, a bright flame, and a loud noise. After learning this, they figured out how to prevent Nian from entering their villages. Just before Nian came again, every household painted their door red and burned a fire in front of their doorways. Besides, the people did not go to bed. Instead, they stayed up all night beating on things to make a loud noise. Ever since, Nian has never again come to the villages. Thus, a tradition was established and the customs have been kept through the years. Later, the people found that bamboo could make a crackling sound when burned. In time, the noise of crackling bamboo was replaced with bang of firecrackers. This is how the Chinese people began to set off firecrackers for the Spring Festival. To pay a New Year visit is an important event during the Spring Festival. In olden times, high-rank officials would go to the court to wish the emperor a Happy New Year. The entire clan would hold a ceremony. However, the most frequent visits were those between relatives and friends. This activity would continue for several days. Beginning in the Song Dynasty in the tenth century,people began to send cards to express a New Year's greeting. At first, the sending of New Year's cards was limited to the circle of people in high positions. So it was also a way to show off one's social status. However, at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century, ordinary people also began to exchange cards. The practice continues today during the Spring Festival. The Dragon Dance and Lion Dance are traditionally performed during the festival. The dances do not have to be performed by professionals. Sometimes the perfomers are farmers, street vendors or craftsmen. Walking on stilts is another traditional perfomance-event popular in China, especially in the northern part of the country. According to the archives,our Chinese ancestors began using stilts to help them gather fruits from trees. This practical use of stilts gradually developed into a kind of folk dance. Nowadays, most people in China's rural areas still hold to these traditional celebrations, However, as the pace of life continues to quicken in the cities, urban residents have taken up new ways to celebrate the Chinese traditional New Year. For example, many city dwellers no longer bother to send out greeting cards. Instead, they use the telephone or pagers to convey greetings to relatives and friends. To travel during the New Year holidays is another fashionable trend. And what should be mentioned, too, is that for safety reason, firecrackers were banned in some large cities of China a few years ago, making the occasion much quieter than before. It seems that all our traditions are facing new challenges. Maybe when the children of the next generation grow up, they can only learn about Chinese traditions from books. |
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