Scott No: -
Serial number: 2018-3
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: January 24, 2018
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Wu Guanying
Size of stamps: 30 * 50 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 12
Sheet Size: 150 * 194 mm
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Henan Provincal Postage Stamp Printing Works

Chinese paper cutting is a flat paper-cutting and engraving art created by the broad masses of Chinese working people in the practice of production and life. With a long artistic history and wide geographical distribution, it is one of China’s outstanding intangible cultural heritage items. As a form of flat plastic art, Chinese paper cutting is closely associated with various life forms such as residential buildings, costumes, utensils, and sacrifices. It relatively concentratedly reflects the thinking characteristics of folk art modeling—concise yet full of ingenuity, and profound in simplicity. Boasting a broad mass base, it is also an important part of various folk activities. During thousands of years of development, the art of paper cutting has accumulated profound cultural and historical deposits and achieved remarkable artistic accomplishments.

"Chinese Paper Cutting (I)" Special Stamps

The special stamp set "Chinese Paper Cutting (I)" (catalog number 2018-3) was issued by China Post on January 24, 2018. The set consists of 4 stamps with a total face value of 4.80 yuan. Each stamp measures 30×50 millimeters with a perforation gauge of 13.5 degrees, printed using offset printing technology. It adopts anti-counterfeiting measures including security paper, anti-counterfeiting ink, special-shaped perforations, and fluorescent spray coding. Designed by Wang Huming, the stamps were printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory.

This set of stamps features four representative paper cutting works from northern China: Reed Marshes from Yuxian County, Hebei Province; Shepherd Scene from Horinger County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; Jiang Wa Pulls the Horse, Mei Xiang Rides from Xunyi County, Shaanxi Province; and Farewell to Mother from Xinjiang County, Shanxi Province. These paper cuttings from different regions with distinct styles come vividly to life on the small stamp surfaces.

Adopting a unified vertical composition, the stamps use a simple white background to set off the colorful and diverse paper cuttings, restoring the traditional style of paper cutting in its original form. The text on the stamps briefly elaborates on the styles and characteristics of the four paper cuttings, while unifying the four distinct patterns into an integrated whole. This enhances the integrity and coherence of the layout, presenting a natural, smooth, and varied visual effect that brings viewers a sense of visual comfort.