Scott No: 1709-1710
Serial number: J66
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: September 1, 1981
Denomination: 16 fen
Designer: Cheng Chuanli
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 11.5*11
Sheet composition: 50 (10*5)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

J66 "Quality Month" commemorative stamps were issued on September 1, 1981. The set consists of 2 stamps, printed by photogravure, designed by Cheng Chuanli, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. Stamp size 30 mm × 40 mm, perforation gauge 11.5 × 11, 50 stamps per sheet.

Theme of the Set

Since 1978, the State Council has designated September of each year for the National Quality Month activity, aimed at establishing awareness of valuing product quality throughout society, strengthening quality management in industrial production, improving the quality of domestic industrial products, and safeguarding consumers' rights and interests. This set was issued in support of Quality Month publicity. Taking the quality product medal as its core image, it commends quality products, advocates the production concept of striving for perfection and winning through quality, and is a commemorative stamp on the theme of industrial quality in the early period of reform and opening up.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Silver Medal

The background color is warm red. At the center is a silver quality medal in the form of radiating petals, with the two characters "优质" (quality) engraved at its center. Below the medal are drawn silhouettes of industrial products such as machine tools, automobiles, ships, and agricultural machinery, representing the industrial output of all sectors, and the words "Quality Month" are printed vertically on the left.

Gold Medal

The background color is deep red. At the center is a gold quality medal, identical in form to the silver medal and likewise engraved with the words "优质." The bottom is paired with the same silhouettes of industrial products, echoing the previous stamp and representing a higher level of honor in quality evaluation.

Artistic Design Features

The set adopts a dignified and orderly poster style. The two stamps share a unified layout structure, distinguishing the gold and silver grades by background color and medal tone. The radiating medal outline is full of a sense of power, and the industrial silhouettes at the bottom are highly generalized, making clear the theme of industrial production. The images are concise and direct, with prominent era-publicity attributes. The red background sets off an atmosphere of commendation and encouragement, and the theme is clear and easy to understand. It is a representative of 1980s industrial publicity stamps.