Scott No: 605
Serial number: C91
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: February 26, 1962
Denomination: 8
Designer: Wan Weisheng
Engraver: Xie Jiasheng
Size of stamps: 26*35.5mm
Perforation: 11.5*11
Sheet composition: 40(10*4)
Printing process: Engraving and photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

C91 "80th Anniversary of the Birth of Lu Xun" commemorative stamp was issued by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on February 26, 1962. The set consists of 1 stamp, designed by Sun Chuanzhe, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory by photogravure. Stamp size 26 mm × 35 mm, perforation gauge 11.5, 50 stamps per sheet, layout 10 × 5, with a face value of 8 fen.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

Portrait of Lu Xun

The main subject is a half-length relief-style portrait of Lu Xun. Mr. Lu Xun has short hair, a resolute face, and a steady gaze, retaining his classic image features. The background is simple and clean, without superfluous scenery, concentrating the visual focus entirely on the figure.
Lu Xun was the founder of modern Chinese literature and the standard-bearer of the New Culture Movement; he used essays and fiction to analyze society and awaken the people. 1962 marked the 80th anniversary of Lu Xun's birth, and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications issued this stamp to commemorate it.

Artistic Design Features

The stamp draws on the light-and-shadow modeling technique of sculpture, with a strong three-dimensional effect and a dignified, solemn style. The picture is simplified and concise in composition, relying on layers of light and shadow to shape the figure, without complicated additional decoration. The photogravure printing is soft and delicate, steady and plain, fitting Lu Xun's cold, profound spiritual temperament; it is one of the earlier commemorative stamps on the theme of Lu Xun among the old Ji-te stamps.