Scott No: 1519-1524
Serial number: T42
Values in set: 6
Date of issue: October 20, 1979
Denomination: 147 fen
Designer: Sun Chuanzhe
Size of stamps: 40*30mm
Perforation: 11*11.5
Sheet composition: 50(5*10)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T42 "Scenery of Taiwan" special stamps were issued on October 20, 1979. The set consists of 6 stamps, printed by photogravure, designed by Sun Chuanzhe, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. Stamp size 40 mm × 30 mm, perforation gauge 11 × 11.5, 50 stamps per sheet. This is New China's first special stamp set on the theme of the scenery of the treasure island of Taiwan.

Theme of the Set

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. On New Year's Day 1979, the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" was published, proposing postal, transport, and trade links across the strait. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications issued this set, selecting representative natural landscapes and historical sites of Taiwan, to show the public the beautiful mountains and rivers and cultural relics of the treasure island, to carry the deep feelings of compatriots on both sides of the strait being linked by blood and longing for national reunification, and to promote mutual understanding between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Yushan

Yushan is the highest peak in eastern China. The design depicts the main peak of Yushan covered in snow, with layered mountains and snow peaks crystal-clear and holy in the sunlight, and the mountain forests vast and boundless, fully displaying the majestic and towering alpine scenery.

Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is a landmark lake of Taiwan. The lake water is clear and emerald, the trees around the lake are verdant, cherry blossoms bloom on the lakeside, and a small island divides the lake surface into sun and moon forms; the lake and mountain scenery is gentle and beautiful.

Chihkan Tower

Chihkan Tower is located in Tainan and is a well-known historical site, an important relic related to Zheng Chenggong's recovery of Taiwan. The design depicts the tower with double eaves and upturned corners, surrounded by palm trees, antique and dignified, carrying the weighty historical memory of Taiwan.

Suhua Coastal Highway

The design presents the Qingshui Cliff section of the Suhua Highway. The cliffs stand facing the sea, waves beat against the cliff shore, seabirds skim over the sea, and the highway winds close to the cliff—the mountains and sea are perilous and magnificent, making it a highly distinctive coastal wonder of Taiwan.

Tianxiang Great Waterfall

The scene is taken from the Tianxiang scenic area of Taroko. The waterfall rushes down from the cliff, the rocks are jagged, the gorge is deep, and the water surges with tremendous momentum, presenting the vigorous scenery of a gorge waterfall.

Moonlit Night at Banping Mountain

There is a folk legend about Banping Mountain: "Banping Mountain, half on the mainland, half in Taiwan." In the design a full moon hangs high, its clear light shining on Banping Mountain, the lake reflecting the moon, and a pavilion standing quietly; the moonlight is clear and tranquil, implying that the two sides of the strait share the same roots and admire the same bright moon together.

Artistic Design Features

The set uniformly adopts a horizontal composition and a decorative landscape painting style, with clear, elegant colors. The six stamps cover high mountains, lakes, ancient architecture, coastline, waterfalls, and moonlit night, with natural landscapes and cultural relics paired together, rich and varied in appearance. The photogravure printing has transparent, soft colors, combining the magnificent momentum of mountains and rivers with poetic feeling. It is a classic work of special meaning among JT scenery-themed stamps.