Scott No: 2196-97
Serial number: T134
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: February 22, 1989
Denomination: 58 fen
Designers: Wan Yi
Size of stamps: 52*31mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 40(4*10)
Printing process: photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The special stamp set Brown Eared Pheasant, catalog number T134, was issued on February 21, 1989. It consists of two stamps, produced using the photogravure process. The stamps measure 52×31 mm, with a perforation gauge of 11.5 degrees. Each sheet contains 40 stamps (4×10). The stamps were designed by Wan Yi and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

Thematic Focus of the Set

This stamp set was issued to welcome the 4th International Symposium on Pheasants held in China. The brown eared pheasant is a rare pheasant species endemic to China and a national first-class protected animal. Commonly known as the "he ji," it is mainly distributed in the mountain forests of Shanxi and Hebei. It is the provincial bird of Shanxi Province and the logo of the China Ornithological Society. The brown eared pheasant is known for its fierce and combative nature and has been regarded as a symbol of bravery and unyielding spirit since ancient times. Through close-ups and habitat scenes, the stamps showcase the appearance and wild survival state of this unique pheasant, popularize wildlife knowledge, call on the public to value the protection of rare birds, and safeguard native biodiversity.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Heroic Bearing

The image is a close-up of the head and upper body of a brown eared pheasant. The face is bare and red, with tufts of fluffy white ear feathers on top of the head resembling two white horns. The tail feathers are fluffy and drooping. In the background, three more brown eared pheasants are depicted, reflecting their gregarious living habits.

Pair at Rest

The image depicts a pair of brown eared pheasants strolling among the forest grass, with a leisurely posture. A male and a female accompany each other, restoring their quiet natural state of resting and foraging in their native mountain forest, showcasing their wild life scene.

Artistic and Design Features

The set uses a delicate and realistic gongbi (meticulous brushwork) painting style. The forms are precise and scientific, the feather layers are rich, and the colors are true to life. The two stamps contrast near and far: the close-up highlights the brown eared pheasant's signature ear feathers and red face, while the panoramic view presents the habitat. The background is simple and soft, without distracting from the main subjects. It balances scientific realism with artistic beauty and is consistent in style with other wildlife stamps in the same series.