Scott No: -
Serial number: 2019-19
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: August 24, 2019
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Meng Fancong
Size of stamps: 38 * 50 mm
Perforation: 13 * 13.5
Sheet composition:
12 for Sheet I;
6 for Sheet II (3 sets)
Sheet Size:
190 * 200 mm for sheet I;
150 * 190 mm for Sheet II
Size of S/S: 86 * 125 mm
Size of S/S stamp: 56 * 92 mm
Perforation of S/S: 13
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Works

China Post is scheduled to issue a set of 2 special stamps and 1 souvenir sheet themed "Lu Ban" on August 24, 2019. The total face value of the complete stamp set is 8.40 yuan.

Lu Ban was an ancient Chinese architectural engineer, revered as the "ancestor" by construction craftsmen and also known as the "grand ancestor of all crafts" among the people. His surname was Gongshu, and his given name was Ban (also spelled as Ban or Zi in some records). He was from the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period, hence he was called Lu Ban. Records of Lu Ban's name and his invention deeds can be found in the works of pre-Qin scholars. Mozi (a classic text of the Mohist school) notes that he "made cloud ladders for the State of Chu" and could "carve wood into a magpie that could fly after completion". After the Tang Dynasty, folk tales about Lu Ban became increasingly abundant, reflecting the praise for ancient Chinese craftsmen represented by Lu Ban.

This set of stamps adopts the meticulous brushwork and heavy color technique of traditional Chinese painting. The composition is full, the color application balances light and dark tones appropriately, and the details are handled with strict precision.

The first stamp, titled Diligently Learning the Craft, depicts the scene of Lu Ban concentrating on studying in a cave after seeking out a famous mentor in his youth.

The second stamp, titled Devoting to Research and Thinking, shows Lu Ban chiseling a large stone to invent the stone mill.

The souvenir sheet features a portrait of Lu Ban, who holds an ink marker (a traditional tool for marking straight lines in carpentry) in his hand, with a resolute expression and sharp eyes. This image is a true reflection of the unremitting research and pursuit of perfection by countless craftsmen, and also a vivid embodiment of the "craftsmanship spirit".

To echo the design style of meticulous brushwork and heavy colors, this set of stamps uses high-precision photogravure printing with full-series special inks. It maintains consistency and inheritance in printing technology with the previously issued "Ancient Sages" series stamps. While highlighting the characteristics of photogravure printing—rich colors and vivid images—the details of characters and scenes are fully presented. Additionally, the stamps have strong anti-counterfeiting properties.

This set of stamps is designed by Meng Fancong and printed by Beijing Stamp Factory using the photogravure process.