Scott No: 2032
Serial number: T109
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: April 11, 1986
Denomination: 20 fen
Designers: Yuan Jia
Size of stamps: 31*26mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 80(10*8)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T109 "The Return of Halley's Comet, 1985–1986" special stamp was issued on April 11, 1986. The set consists of 1 stamp, printed by photogravure, with a stamp size of 31 × 26 mm, perforation gauge 11.5, and 80 stamps per sheet. Designed by Yuan Jia and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

Halley's Comet is a famous periodic comet with a period of about 76 years. Its return in 1985–1986 was the one with the best observation conditions in modern times. The stamp integrates ancient Chinese astronomical records with modern astronomical achievements, showcasing the ancients' wisdom in observing comets while popularizing modern astronomical knowledge, and bearing witness to humanity's ongoing exploration of celestial bodies in the universe.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

The Return of Halley's Comet, 1985–1986

The design uses a deep blue universe as the background, with Halley's Comet, trailing a bright tail, speeding across the upper part; in the middle are arranged four comet patterns from the silk manuscript Miscellaneous Divinations on Astronomy and Meteorology from the Han tomb at Mawangdui in Changsha, the earliest extant comet images in the world; below is the curved outline of the Earth. Chinese ancient texts preserve a large number of observation records of Halley's Comet, a precious legacy in the field of ancient astronomy.

Artistic Design Features

The design adopts a simple, modern science-popularization painting style. The blue tones are quiet and profound, creating a sense of cosmic space. It combines comet images from two thousand years ago with a realistic modern comet, contrasting ancient and modern in an ingenious conception. The image is clean and condensed, combining scientific value with traditional cultural content.