Scott No: 2353
Serial number: T168
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: September 14, 1991
Denomination: 80 fenn
Designers: Wang Huming, Zhao Yuhua
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 11.5*11
Sheet composition: 50 (10*5)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The special stamp Disaster Relief, catalog number T168, was issued on September 14, 1991. It consists of one stamp, produced using the photogravure process. The stamp measures 30×40 mm, with a perforation gauge of 11.5×11 degrees. Each sheet contains 50 stamps (10×5). It was designed by Wang Huming and Zhao Yuhua and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

Thematic Focus of the Set

In 1991, catastrophic floods occurred in the Jianghuai region of China, causing severe damage in many areas. This is New China's first disaster relief special stamp. All sales revenue from the stamp was used for disaster relief and the reconstruction of communications in the disaster areas. It promotes the mutual assistance spirit of "when disaster strikes one place, help comes from all sides" and gathers the national strength of the people across the country working together to fight the disaster and support one another.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

Disaster Relief

The top of the design bears the eight characters "Yi Fang You Nan, Ba Fang Zhi Yuan" (When disaster strikes one place, help comes from all sides). The main subject is a red heart formed by two tightly clasped hands. Below, blue ripples represent the surging floodwaters. The red heart and clasped hands symbolize people across the country extending a helping hand and dedicating their compassion. The flood imagery represents the flood disaster. It intuitively embodies the theme of millions united as one and helping each other in the face of disaster.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp uses a modern, minimalist symbolic design. The composition is concise and direct, without complex scenes. The contrast between red and blue is strong. The red heart is warm and striking, and the blue water ripples in the background enhance the disaster situation. The theme is easy to understand. The graphic symbols are highly expressive, conveying the warmth of pulling together in times of difficulty and supporting the disaster areas in a simple and powerful way, with high contemporary recognizability.