Scott No: 1204
Serial number: J2
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: October 1, 1974
Denomination: 8 fen
Designer: Lu Tianjiao
Size of stamps: 60*40mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 25(5*5)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

J2 "The 25th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China (Series I)" commemorative stamp was issued on October 1, 1974. The set consists of 1 stamp, printed by photogravure, designed by Lu Tianjiao, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. Stamp size 60 mm × 40 mm, perforation gauge 11.5, 25 stamps per sheet.

Theme of the Set

1974 marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications issued commemorative stamps in two series, and this group is the first series. The stamp takes the great unity of the people of all ethnic groups as its core theme, commemorating the twenty-five-year course of New China, displaying the spiritual outlook of the people of all ethnic groups across the country working with one heart and one mind and striving in unity, and carrying the vision of striving for greater victories in construction.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

Unite and Strive for Greater Victories

At the top center of the design is the solemn national emblem of the People's Republic of China, with the years 1949 and 1974 marked on both sides of the emblem and the thematic slogan below it. The lower part of the design gathers people of all ethnic groups in distinctive ethnic costumes, all rejoicing and raising their arms in cheers, with red flags and colored balloons dotted across the picture, presenting a grand scene of nationwide celebration and ethnic unity. It symbolizes the close unity of the people of all ethnic groups across the country and their joint devotion to the cause of national construction.

Artistic Design Features

The set is a single-stamp set, with a grand, full composition and passionate, dignified colors, in a typical poster style. The upper part of the design simply and prominently highlights the national emblem, while the lower part sets off the theme with a grand mass celebration scene; the contrast between the upper and lower layouts is sharp, and the festive atmosphere is strong. It is a highly renowned National Day-themed stamp among the early J-prefix commemorative stamps, commonly known in philatelic circles as the "Big National Emblem."