Scott No: 453-455
Serial number: C70
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: October 1, 1959
Denomination: 38 fen
Designer: Zhou Lingzhao
Size of stamps:
42.5*31mm for Value 1;
31*42.5mm for Value 2, 3
Perforation: 14
Sheet composition:
Printing process: Offsete
Printing House: Beijing People's Printing Works

Issued on October 1, 1959, this commemorative set comprises three stamps, printed by offset lithography and designed by Zhou Lingzhao, produced by the Beijing People’s Printing Works. Perforation: 14 degrees. Total face value of the set: 0.38 yuan. No gum for the whole set.
(230) 8 fen, size 42.5mm × 31mm, sheet of 20 (4 × 5), print run 10 million copies;
(231) 10 fen, size 31mm × 42.5mm, sheet of 20 (5 × 4), print run 4 million copies;
(232) 20 fen, size 31mm × 42.5mm, sheet of 20 (5 × 4), print run 2.5 million copies.

Core Theme of the Set

This is the fourth of the five series marking the tenth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic. Its theme is nationwide celebration. While the earlier sets featured national slogans, the national emblem and construction achievements, this series turns the focus to the people themselves. It portrays crowds of all ethnic groups and workers from all walks of life gathering to celebrate National Day, conveying the joy of national unity and collective festivity, and reflecting the cheerful spirit of the people living and working in peace and contentment after a decade of development.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Nationwide Celebration (8 fen)

Set against the backdrop of the Tiananmen Rostrum adorned with banners and red lanterns, the design depicts people of all ethnic groups in their traditional costumes singing and dancing in the square, with a lively lion dance in the foreground. The lion dance symbolises good fortune and prosperity, and the gathering of ethnic minorities stands for the great unity of all Chinese peoples celebrating the tenth birthday of New China.

Nationwide Celebration (10 fen)

The stamp features representatives of workers, peasants, merchants, students and soldiers holding bouquets and gifts in a parade to pay tribute on National Day. The background is decorated with symbols of development such as factory buildings and farmland, representing builders from every sector applauding the nation’s accomplishments.

Nationwide Celebration (20 fen)

Workers, peasants, intellectuals, students and PLA soldiers gather around bunches of flowers, celebrating with heads held high. Golden rays of light radiate from the upper part of the composition, symbolising people from all professions marching forward together toward a brighter future of construction.

Artistic Design Features

The set consists of one horizontal and two vertical stamps, printed by offset lithography in the style of folk decorative painting. Lines are simple and unadorned, with bold, flat blocks of bright colour that create a strong festive atmosphere. The three stamps develop the theme progressively: the first highlights the unity of all ethnic groups, the second the five principal sectors of society, and the third condenses the celebratory scene for people from all circles. The compositions are full and well-balanced, drawing on the aesthetics of Chinese New Year paintings with a strong rhythmic quality. There is a substantial gap in print runs among the three stamps. The high‑value 20‑fen stamp is the scarcest and serves as the key stamp for completing the set.