Scott No: 2000-2002
Serial number: J116
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: Sepember 1, 1985
Denomination: 38 fen
Designers: Zhu Tao, Gao Feng
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 11.5*11
Sheet composition: 50 (10*5)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

J116 "20th Anniversary of the Founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region" commemorative stamps were issued on September 1, 1985. The set consists of 3 stamps, printed by photogravure, designed by Zhu Tao and Gao Feng, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

This set commemorates the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region, showcasing the development achievements Tibet made in society, animal husbandry, and agriculture over those twenty years, reflecting the happy and stable life of the Tibetan people, embodying the appearance of ethnic unity and a thriving snowy plateau, and carrying the blessings of the people of all ethnic groups on the plateau for a better life.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Prosperity

With snow-capped mountains and grasslands in the background, the image depicts Tibetan youths, herdsmen, horses, flocks of sheep, and hunting dogs, expressing the vigorous development of animal husbandry in Tibet and presenting the scene of thriving plateau animal husbandry and the well-being of people and livestock.

Celebration

The image depicts the lively scene of Tibetan people singing and dancing, with people performing traditional songs and dances and gathering together in joy, expressing their happiness and displaying the colorful folk culture and high-spirited outlook of the Tibetan people.

Harvest

The main subject of the design is a Tibetan girl holding highland barley in her hands, paired with musicians and harvested produce, symbolizing a bumper harvest of plateau agriculture. Highland barley is the most important grain crop in Tibet and carries the beautiful hope for an abundant harvest of all grains.

Artistic Design Features

The set draws on the form of traditional Tibetan thangka painting, with full and intricate compositions and a strong decorative quality. It uses distinctive Tibetan elements such as the Potala Palace, snow-capped mountains, gesang flowers, and khata scarves to set off the theme, with rich and brilliant colors and very prominent ethnic flavor. The three stamps correspond respectively to animal husbandry, song and dance, and farming, presenting Tibet's development picture from different dimensions. It is a JT ethnic-themed stamp set with a strong snowy-plateau character.