Scott No: 2078-81
Serial number: T114
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: March 20, 1987
Denomination: 116 fen
Designers: Wan Yi, Cheng Chuanli
Size of stamps:
Value 1,4: 52*31mm;
Value 2,3: 31*52mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition:
Value 1,4: 40(4*10);
Value 2,3: 40(10*4)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T114 "Birds of Prey" special stamps were issued on March 20, 1987. The set consists of 4 stamps, printed by photogravure, with a perforation gauge of 11.5. (4-1)(4-4) measure 52 × 31 mm, and (4-2)(4-3) measure 31 × 52 mm. Designed by Wan Yi and Cheng Chuanli, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

Birds of prey play an important role in the ecological chain: kites and buzzards prey on rodents, and vultures clean up carrion, maintaining natural balance. This set selects four rare diurnal birds of prey from China, popularizing wildlife knowledge and calling for the protection of birds of prey and the maintenance of ecological balance. The set was voted the Best Stamp of 1987.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Kite

The image shows a kite soaring with wings spread, its posture vigorous. The kite, also known as the eagle, is highly adaptable and widely distributed across China; it often circles above open country and preys on rodents and snakes, and is a beneficial bird for agriculture and forestry.

Steller's Sea Eagle

The image shows a Steller's sea eagle perched on a pine branch, with golden-yellow head feathers and a thick, sharp beak. The Steller's sea eagle is a national first-class protected animal, inhabiting the coastal areas of the northeast, and is rare in number—a very precious large sea eagle.

Vulture

In the image, a vulture stands quietly on a mountain rock, with bare head and neck and a burly build. The vulture feeds on animal carrion and is called the scavenger of nature, preventing the spread of disease; it mostly inhabits high plateaus and mountains.

Upland Buzzard

The image shows an upland buzzard with wings spread, with red mountain berries in the background. The upland buzzard is a common bird of prey in the grasslands and mountains of northern China, mainly preying on field mice, and is beneficial to agriculture and animal husbandry.

Artistic Design Features

The set adopts the realistic method of Chinese fine-brush flower-and-bird painting, with motion and stillness alternating and horizontal and vertical stamps interspersed, giving the layout variety. The style is delicate and rigorous, with accurate forms, balancing scientific accuracy and artistry. The backgrounds are simple and elegant, highlighting the vigorous and majestic temperament of the birds of prey. It is a classic among animal-themed stamps.