Scott No: 982-990
Serial number: W5
Values in set: 9
Date of issue: January 30, 1968
Denomination: 72 fen
Designer: Wan Weisheng, Li Dawei, Sun Chunming, Lu Tianjiao, Yan Baizi, Huang Li, Chen Xiaocun, Sun Chuanzhe
Size of stamps:
60*40mm for Value 1;
54*40mm for Value 2, 3, 5, 6, 9;
40*54mm for Value 4;
52*31mm for Value 7, 8
Perforation:
11.5*11 for Value 1;
11 for Value 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9;
11.5 for Value 7, 8
Sheet composition:
25(5*5) for Value 1;
28(4*7) for Value 2, 3, 5, 6, 9;
28(7*4) for Value 4;
40(4*10) for Value 7, 8
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The set contains nine stamps, printed in photogravure, designed respectively by eight designers — Sun Chuanzhe, Wan Weisheng, Li Dawei, Chen Xiaocong, Sun Mingchun, Lu Tianjiao, Yang Baizi and Huang Li — and produced by Beijing Stamp Factory. Six stamps, the ranks of literary and art workers along with the five Peking operas, were issued on 30 January 1968, while the three stamps covering the two ballets and the symphonic music were issued on 1 May of the same year. All nine stamps carry a face value of 8 fen and a print run of 10 million each, with a total face value of 0.72 yuan. Because the formats and subject matter differ from stamp to stamp, sizes, perforations and sheet compositions also vary. The ranks of literary and art workers stamp measures 60mm × 40mm, perforation 11.5 × 11, with sheets of 25; the Peking opera stamps mostly measure 54mm × 40mm, perforation 11, with sheets of 28, among which The Red Lantern uses a vertical format of 40mm × 54mm, also with sheets of 28; the two ballet stamps measure 52mm × 31mm, perforation 11.5, with sheets of 40.

Main Theme of the Set

Between 1964 and 1967, literary and art troupes in various localities created and performed a number of plays on modern themes. From 9 May to 15 June 1967, to mark the 25th anniversary of the publication of the Talks at the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art, the Peking operas The Red Lantern, Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy, On the Docks, Shajiabang and Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, the ballets The Red Detachment of Women and The White-Haired Girl, and the symphonic music Shajiabang were performed together in Beijing and subsequently promoted nationwide. On this basis the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications selected the subject and issued this set, using nine pictures to present the achievements of revolutionary literature and art and to publicise the direction of literature and art serving the workers, peasants and soldiers.

Stamp Designs and Historical Context

Ranks of Literary and Art Workers

In the upper part of the design appears the image of Mao Zedong radiating light; below the radiance, ranks of revolutionary literary and art workers march in formation. Literary and art fighters of the workers, peasants and soldiers raise red flags and advance in orderly ranks, symbolising the achievements of literary and art work under the guidance of Chairman Mao's revolutionary line in literature and art. The stamp also serves as the opening summary of the whole set. This stamp was once returned during review because the order in which the ranks were arranged did not match the sequence of the eight works given in the People's Daily editorial of May 1967, "The Outstanding Model Theatrical Works of Revolutionary Literature and Art". The designers separately sought the opinions of the participating troupes and checked the original text, and it was approved only after the arrangement was adjusted.

Peking Opera, Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy

The picture is taken from the closing scene of the opera, in which Yang Zirong joins up with the small detachment and the masses; the bandits' lair has been destroyed and a victorious rendezvous takes place, with everyone celebrating. It presents the exploit of the reconnaissance hero penetrating the bandits' den and wiping out the stubborn enemy through coordinated action from within and without.

Peking Opera, On the Docks

The design shows the scene of loading and unloading operations at the docks of Shanghai. Workers work intensively on the dock front line, highlighting the spiritual outlook of the working class standing firm at their posts and completing loading and unloading tasks.

Peking Opera, The Red Lantern

The picture presents the images of Li Yuhe and three generations of his family. Using a vertical composition, the figures stand side by side, expressing the dramatic core of revolutionary will and revolutionary integrity handed down through three generations, from grandparent to grandchild.

Peking Opera, Shajiabang

Set against the watery landscape of Shajiabang, the design creates the image of New Fourth Army commanders and fighters and the people of Shajiabang relying on each other and persisting in struggle, expressing the theme of army and people depending on each other like fish and water and resisting the enemy together.

Peking Opera, Raid on the White Tiger Regiment

The design shows a scene of a Chinese People's Volunteers reconnaissance detachment carrying out a surprise raid. Drawn from a real battle example on the battlefield of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, it praises the Volunteers fighters' resourcefulness, courage and combat spirit of winning by surprise.

Ballet, The Red Detachment of Women

The picture shows the stage pose of fighters of the Red Detachment of Women. The dance movements are vigorous and forceful, presenting the image of poor women joining the revolutionary armed forces and growing in struggle. It is a representative work in the effort to nationalise ballet.

Ballet, The White-Haired Girl

The picture shows the stage image of Xi'er, her posture full of grief and indignation and of resistance. It presents the suffering endured by peasants in the old society and the course of their emancipation, and is a classic work of national ballet.

Symphonic Music, Shajiabang

The design centres on a symphony orchestra in performance, combining the Western symphonic form with the revolutionary subject matter of Shajiabang. It represents an attempt at integrating Chinese and Western art at that time.

Artistic Features of the Design

Following the principle that "living persons do not appear on stamps", the set does not directly use stage photographs. Instead, the designs were redrawn on the basis of the colour photographs of the model theatrical works released by Xinhua News Agency, with the figures refined and heightened. Among the nine stamps, five are on Peking opera subjects, two on ballet and one on symphonic music, together with one opening stamp on the ranks of literary and art workers, giving a complete coverage of the categories. It is the first set of stamps in New China devoted to the revolutionary model theatrical works. From the choice of subject to the final draft, the set went through several rounds of review, and the number of designers reached eight, the largest design team for any set at the time; it is also one of the more influential subjects among the W-series stamps.