Scott No: 2045-48
Serial number: T111
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: September 23, 1986
Denomination: 86 fen
Designers: Zhao Xiuhuan
Size of stamps: 40*30mm
Perforation: 11*11.5
Sheet composition: 50(5*10)
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T111 "Rare and Endangered Magnoliaceae Plants" special stamps were issued on September 23, 1986. The set consists of 3 stamps plus T111M souvenir sheet, printed by photogravure, with a stamp size of 40 × 30 mm, perforation gauge 11 × 11.5, and 50 stamps per sheet; the souvenir sheet measures 132 × 70 mm, with an inner stamp of 62 × 52 mm, perforation gauge 11.5. Designed by Zhao Xiuhuan and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

The Magnoliaceae family is the most primitive group among angiosperms and is called a living fossil of plants. Southwest China is an important distribution center for Magnoliaceae plants. This set selects five endangered Magnoliaceae tree species in China, presenting the beauty of rare flowering trees, promoting the protection of wild plants, and arousing public attention to forest ecology and rare plant resources.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Round-Leaved Magnolia

The image shows the flowers, branches, and leaves of the round-leaved magnolia, with pure white petals and deep red stamens. The round-leaved magnolia is a species unique to China, distributed in Sichuan, with sparse wild populations, growing in mountain forests at higher altitudes.

Badong Manglietia

The image shows the blooming white flowers of Badong manglietia, with warm and elegant petals. Badong manglietia is endemic to the Hubei-Hunan area, with a narrow habitat and difficult natural reproduction, and is an endangered protected tree species.

Long-Stamened Magnolia

The image shows a flowering long-stamened magnolia, with a slender, prominent center. The long-stamened magnolia is distributed in Yunnan and Tibet and is an ancient relict plant with high scientific research value for the study of the origin and evolution of angiosperms.

Large-Fruited Manglietia and Huagaimu (Souvenir Sheet)

The image depicts two rare magnolias at the same time—the large-fruited manglietia and Huagaimu—with gorgeous flowers. Huagaimu is a rare tree species unique to China, with very few individuals in the wild, and is known as the "giant panda of plants."

Artistic Design Features

The set adopts a realistic fine-brush flower painting method, with delicate and accurate depiction of leaves and petals, fresh and soft colors, and simple, clean backgrounds. It balances the rigor of scientific botanical illustration with the elegant beauty of Chinese painting. The set was voted the Best Stamp of 1986 and is a classic among plant-themed stamps.