Scott No: -
Serial number: 2024-22
Values in set: 6
Date of issue: October 15th, 2024
Denomination: 720 fen
Designer of Stamps: Zhao Jiancheng
Size of stamps: 50 * 38 mm
Perforation: 13 * 13.5
Sheet composition: 16 (Value 1, 2 in Sheet 1; Value 3, 4 in Sheet 2; Value 5, 6 in Sheet 3)
Size of sheet: 230 * 188 mm
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

China Post is scheduled to issue a set of 6 commemorative stamps themed "Modern Chinese Literati" on October 15, 2024. The stamps are titled after Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, Mao Dun, Ba Jin, Lao She, and Cao Yu, with a total face value of 7.20 yuan. The planned issuance quantity is 6 million sets.
Modern Chinese literature originated during the May Fourth Movement. In the splendid history of modern Chinese literature, these literati were inheritors and promoters of the May Fourth Spirit, as well as founders of modern Chinese literature. Their timeless masterpieces have nurtured and shaped the spiritual outlook, literary ideals, and aesthetic perceptions of generations of Chinese people, not only providing profound nourishment for the Chinese nation but also contributing brilliant chapters to world civilization.

Lu Xun (1881—1936)

Born Zhou Shuren, styled Yucai, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, Lu Xun was a modern Chinese writer, thinker, and revolutionary. He went to Japan to study in 1902 and later abandoned medicine to pursue literature. As a founder of modern Chinese literature, his works are marked by profound sorrow and indignation, strong critical spirit, and humanistic care. Covering essays, novels, treatises, prose, and translations, his oeuvre amounts to approximately 10 million characters, exerting a profound influence on Chinese culture after the May Fourth Movement.

Guo Moruo (1892—1978)

Born Guo Kaizhen, styled Dingtang, with the pen name Moruo, in Shawan, Leshan, Sichuan Province, Guo Moruo was an encyclopedic cultural giant, a modern Chinese writer, poet, and translator. He was elected Chairman of the All-China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (ACFLAC) in 1949, and later served as Vice Premier of the State Council, Director of the State Council Cultural and Education Commission, and President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, among other positions. As a founder of modern Chinese new poetry, he pioneered and led an era of poetic style; his representative poetry collection Goddess (Nüshen) is an indelible milestone in the history of modern Chinese new poetry. Guo Moruo was also an important founder of Chinese historical dramas, with his representative historical drama Qu Yuan being a classic of modern Chinese historical drama.

Mao Dun (1896—1981)

Born Shen Dehong, styled Yanbing, in Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province, Mao Dun was a modern Chinese novelist, literary critic, and literary theorist. A pioneer of the May Fourth New Culture Movement and an important critic in the literary circle of the time, he presided over Fiction Monthly (Xiaoshuo Yuebao), a key venue for new literature. His magnum opus Midnight (Ziye), the most renowned full-length novel of its era, established the classic paradigm of social analytical fiction and stands as a milestone in Chinese realistic fiction, exerting a far-reaching influence on subsequent full-length novel creation. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Mao Dun served as the first Minister of Culture, Vice Chairman of ACFLAC, and Chairman of the Chinese Writers Association (CWA). In 1981, the CWA established the Mao Dun Literature Prize to promote the prosperity of socialist literary undertakings.

Ba Jin (1904—2005)

Born Li Yaotang, styled Feigan, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Ba Jin was a modern Chinese writer, translator, and publisher. He attended the First National Congress of Literary and Art Workers in 1949 and was elected Standing Committee Member of ACFLAC. Later, he served as Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the CWA, and Vice Chairman of ACFLAC. In November 2003, he was awarded the honorary title of "People's Writer" by the State Council. His representative works include the "Love Trilogy", the "Torrent Trilogy", Random Thoughts (Sui Xiang Lu), and Cold Night (Han Ye).

Lao She (1899—1966)

Of Manchu ethnicity, born Shu Qingchun, styled Sheyu, in Beijing, Lao She was a modern Chinese novelist and playwright, and the first writer to be awarded the title of "People's Artist" after the founding of New China. He once served as Vice Chairman of ACFLAC, Vice Chairman of the CWA, and Chairman of the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles. A prolific realistic writer, his works are crafted in simple, concise, and colloquial language, characterized by vividness, wit, a strong spirit of the times, and a rich flavor of life, earning him the reputation of "Master of Language". His representative works include Four Generations Under One Roof (Sishi Tongtang), Camel Xiangzi, and Teahouse (Chaguan).

Cao Yu (1910—1996)

Born Wan Jiabao, with ancestral roots in Qianjiang, Hubei Province, Cao Yu was a giant and founder of modern Chinese drama, as well as a towering peak in modern drama art. His representative works include Thunderstorm (Leiyu), Sunrise (Richu), Wilderness (Yuanye), Peking Man (Beijing Ren), and Family (Jia). After the founding of New China, he served as Vice President of the Central Academy of Drama, President of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Chairman of ACFLAC, and Chairman of the Chinese Theatre Association. As an outstanding drama educator, Cao Yu cultivated batches of drama talents for New China, making important contributions to China's art education cause.

Adopting traditional Chinese ink wash techniques integrated with characteristics of Western plastic arts, the stamp designs blend Chinese and Western aesthetics with a unique style. The six literati in the images are vivid and expressive, with distinct chronological features in their portraits. Through the gradation and rendering of ink shades, the stamps showcase the demeanor and charm of the literati. Special inks are used to create colors, adding a retro and elegant touch to the designs.

Background book images on Stamp 1: Wild Grass (Yecao), Call to Arms (Nahan), Untitled·Accustomed to Passing Spring Nights in Long Darkness (Wuti·Guanyu Changye Guo Chunshi), and Self-Portrait (Ziti Xiaoxiang).

Background book images on Stamp 2: Goddess (Nüshen), Qu Yuan, and Vanguards (Qianmao).

Background book images on Stamp 3: Midnight (Ziye), Corrosion (Shi), and Fiction Monthly (Xiaoshuo Yuebao).

Background book images on Stamp 4: Cold Night (Han Ye), Family (Jia), The Fourth Ward (Disi Bingshi), and Destruction (Miewang).

Background book images on Stamp 5: Teahouse (Chaguan), Four Generations Under One Roof (Sishi Tongtang), and Camel Xiangzi.

Background book images on Stamp 6: Thunderstorm (Leiyu), Sunrise (Richu), Peking Man (Beijing Ren), and Sword of Courage (Danjian Pian).

This set of stamps is designed by Zhao Jiancheng, with Liu Jian as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Co., Ltd. using offset printing technology.