Scott No: 2145-48
Serial number: J149
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: April 28, 1988
Denomination: 68 fen
Designers: Zou Jianjun
Size of stamps: 40*30mm
Perforation: 11*11.5
Sheet composition: 50(5*10)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

J149 "Modern Chinese Scientists (Series I)" commemorative stamps were issued on April 28, 1988. The set consists of 4 stamps, printed by photogravure, with a stamp size of 40 × 30 mm, perforation gauge 11 × 11.5, and 50 stamps per sheet (5 × 10). Designed by Zou Jianjun and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

This is the opening set of the "Modern Chinese Scientists" series, selecting four scientific pioneers who made foundational contributions in different disciplinary fields, covering geology, meteorology and geography, physics, and mathematics. Using portraits paired with disciplinary symbols, the stamps commemorate the scientists' endeavors of concentrated research under difficult conditions and their service to the country, carry forward the scholarly spirit of serving the nation through science and seeking truth and being pragmatic, and establish a unified paradigm for subsequent sets in the same series.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Geologist Li Siguang

The image is a portrait of Li Siguang, with geological structures and geomechanics diagrams in the background. Li Siguang was the founder of geomechanics in China; he identified petroleum geological structures and made major contributions to ridding China of the label of a "oil-poor country" and to mineral exploration.

Meteorologist and Geographer Zhu Kezhen

The image is a portrait of Zhu Kezhen, with meteorological element curves and mountain-and-river diagrams in the background. Zhu Kezhen was the founder of modern meteorology and phenology in China; he carried out long-term phenological observations, promoted the construction of meteorological station networks, and pioneered China's climate and geography research.

Physicist Wu Youxun

The image is a portrait of Wu Youxun, with physics diagrams related to X-ray scattering in the background. Wu Youxun achieved important results in the field of X-ray scattering and also devoted himself to physics education, training a large number of physics talents and promoting the rooting of modern physics in China.

Mathematician Hua Luogeng

The image depicts a portrait of Hua Luogeng, supplemented by mathematical formulas and number-theory-related diagrams in the background. Hua Luogeng was self-taught and achieved outstanding results in number theory and functions of several complex variables. He vigorously promoted the optimum-seeking method and the overall planning method, applying mathematical theory to industrial and agricultural production.

Artistic Design Features

The set adopts a realistic portrait painting style, with dignified and refined figures. Each stamp's background is paired with simple disciplinary graphic symbols that intuitively indicate the field of research. The tones are plain and steady, the compositions balanced, with no piled-up complicated decoration, highlighting the scientists themselves. The style is dignified and plain, in the same vein as the subsequent Series II of scientist stamps.