Scott No: 2968
Serial number: 1999-7M
Values in set: 1
Denomination: 800 fen
Date of issue: 21 August 1999
Designer: Yang Wenqing & Gao Shuxian
Size of S/S stamp: 50*30mm
Size of S/S: 175*68mm
Printing process: Gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

The commemorative souvenir sheet China 1999 World Stamp Exhibition was issued on August 21, 1999. It consists of one souvenir sheet with a face value of 8.00 yuan. It was designed by Yang Wenqing and Gao Shuxian and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. The 1999 World Stamp Exhibition was held in Beijing. It was the first comprehensive world stamp exhibition hosted by China and the last global philatelic event of the 20th century. This souvenir sheet was issued specifically for this exhibition to showcase the charm of traditional Chinese culture to the world.

The World Stamp Exhibition is the highest-level international event in the field of philately, bringing together precious stamp collections from around the world and promoting philatelic cultural exchange among nations. The souvenir sheet features the Nine-Dragon Wall in Beihai, Beijing, as its core design. The dragon is a cultural symbol of the Chinese nation, and the Nine-Dragon Wall is a classic treasure of Chinese glazed architecture. Using the Nine-Dragon Wall to host this world stamp exhibition symbolizes friends from all over the world gathering in China. Using stamps as a bridge, it enhances cultural communication among philatelic enthusiasts from various countries and showcases the broad and profound traditional Chinese culture.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

Nine-Dragon Wall

The main image is the Nine-Dragon Wall in Beihai, Beijing. Nine colorful dragons writhe among clouds and blue waves, with brilliant colors and varied postures. Above the souvenir sheet is the inscription "China 1999 World Stamp Exhibition" and the exclusive logo of the exhibition. The main stamp image is embedded in the center of the Nine-Dragon Wall scene. The Beihai Nine-Dragon Wall was first built in the Qing Dynasty and is made of five-color glazed tiles. The nine giant dragons are lifelike, making it a representative work of Chinese glazed art. The 1999 Beijing World Stamp Exhibition displayed thousands of frames of stamp collections and attracted numerous philatelic enthusiasts from around the world to participate and visit. It was a milestone international event in China's philatelic history.

Artistic and Design Features

The souvenir sheet uses realistic decorative painting, fully reproducing the colorful and magnificent glazed colors of the Nine-Dragon Wall. The dynamic depiction of the dragons is grand and magnificent. The photogravure printing provides full and transparent colors, delicately expressing the rich layers of the glazed colors. The stamp image is embedded in the long scroll of the Nine-Dragon Wall, an ingenious design concept that integrates the ancient architectural treasure with the theme of a modern international stamp exhibition. It is a highly renowned classic souvenir sheet in the modern commemorative stamp series.