Scott No: 1840-1844
Serial number: T82, T82m
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: February 21, 1983
Denomination: 106 fen
Designers: Liu Shuoren
Size of stamps: 40*60mm
Perforation: 11*11.5
Sheet composition: 25 (5*5)
Size of S/S: 130*80mm
Stamp of S/S: 31*52mm
Perforation of S/S: 11.5
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T82 "Romance of the Western Chamber" special stamps were issued on February 21, 1983. The set consists of 4 stamps plus 1 souvenir sheet, printed by photogravure, designed by Liu Shuoren, with original paintings by Wang Shuhui, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

Romance of the Western Chamber is a classic zaju play by Wang Shifu of the Yuan dynasty. It tells the story of Zhang Junrui and Cui Yingying, with the help of Hongniang, breaking through the shackles of feudal ethics in pursuit of free love, and carries the beautiful ideal of "may all lovers under heaven finally be united in marriage." This set selects four core episodes, presented through Wang Shuhui's classic fine-brush heavy-color paintings, displaying the romantic and moving charm of classical opera literature and carrying forward the work's humanistic spirit of resisting feudal ethics and praising sincere love.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Enchanted by Beauty

The image depicts Zhang Junrui accidentally meeting Cui Yingying and Hongniang in the courtyard of Pujiu Temple. The two meet for the first time, their eyes meeting—the scene where the story begins.

Listening to the Zither

Under the night sky, Zhang Junrui plays the zither in the western chamber, entrusting his feelings to the music, while Cui Yingying, on the other side of the wall, stops to listen. The zither music conveys their mutual longing.

The Happy Tryst

With Hongniang's enthusiastic matchmaking and arrangements, Cui Yingying goes to the western chamber to meet Zhang Junrui—the key episode in which the two communicate their mutual affection.

At the Long Pavilion

Cui Yingying sees off Zhang Junrui, who is going to the capital for the imperial examination, at the ten-li long pavilion. Accompanied by autumn wind and red leaves, the two are reluctant to part, full of sorrow at parting and hopeful expectation.

Souvenir Sheet: Interrogating Hongniang

The design is taken from a Ming dynasty woodblock print, depicting the scene of Madame Cui interrogating Hongniang. Hongniang is brave and righteous, arguing forcefully on the basis of principle to defend the love of Cui Yingying and Zhang Junrui—a classic passage with strong dramatic conflict in the entire play.

Artistic Design Features

The set adopts the fine-brush heavy-color lady-painting style, with gentle and beautiful figures, delicate and smooth lines, and elegant, soft colors—Wang Shuhui's signature lady-painting style. The four stamps are arranged in the order of the story's development, with coherent narration; the souvenir sheet uses an ancient woodblock version, antique in style, forming a contrast with the fine-brush heavy-color stamp set. This set is a milestone work among stamps on the theme of classical literature and opera and was voted the Best Stamp of the year.