Scott No: 2074
Serial number: T112
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: January 5, 1987
Denomination: 8 fen
Designers: Li Fangfang
Engraver: Sun Hongnian
Size of stamps: 26*31mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 80(10*8)
Printing process: Engraving and photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T112 "Dingmao Year" special stamp was issued on January 5, 1987. The set consists of 1 stamp, printed by photogravure combined with engraving, with a stamp size of 26 × 31 mm, perforation gauge 11.5, and 80 stamps per sheet (8 × 10). Designed by Li Fangfang, engraved by Sun Hongnian, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

This is the eighth stamp of the first round of zodiac stamps, for the Dingmao Rabbit Year. In folk culture, the rabbit symbolizes gentleness, auspiciousness, and intelligence, carrying the beautiful wishes for peace, smoothness, and harmonious prosperity. Continuing the first round's creative approach of folk art, it uses a festive decorative image to welcome the new year and pray for blessings, in the same vein as the preceding and following stamps of the first zodiac round.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

Dingmao Year

The main subject of the design is a pure white decorative rabbit with long ears, looking back and sitting curled up, adorned with traditional blue and gray patterns, round and lovely in form. The image is drawn from folk rabbit figures and New Year picture jade rabbits, soft and elegant, with less of a majestic feel and more of a lively, friendly quality.

Artistic Design Features

The design adopts a folk decorative New Year picture style. With the photogravure-plus-engraving process, the engraved lines are fine and smooth. The background is clean, the white rabbit stands out prominently, and the color scheme is light, elegant, and fresh, plain yet full of childlike charm. It is one of the most recognizable stamps in the first round of zodiac stamps.