Scott No: 2974-75
Serial number: 1999-13
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 140fen
Date of issue: 21 September 1999
Designers: Ma Quan
Size:
Value 1: 40*30mm
Value 2: 30*40mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 50
Printing process: offset
Printer: Shenyang Post & Telecommunication Printing Works

The commemorative stamp set 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference was issued on September 21, 1999. It consists of two stamps with a total face value of 1.40 yuan. It was designed by Ma Quan and printed by Shenyang Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory in Liaoning Province using offset printing. In September 1949, the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference was held, opening the prelude to the birth of New China. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the CPPCC, this stamp set was issued to review the glorious starting point of the CPPCC and commemorate its important role as a patriotic united front organization.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is a patriotic united front organization of China. The First Plenary Session of the CPPCC exercised the functions and powers of the National People's Congress, proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China, determined the national capital, national flag, and national anthem, and reviewed and approved the national emblem design. The stamp set features two major historical moments: one captures the venue of the First CPPCC Session, and the other recreates the classic historical scene of discussing the national emblem. It looks back on the great history of the founding of the CPPCC and highlights the original aspiration of political consultation and democratic unity.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

First CPPCC Session Held at Zhongnanhai

The main image is the Xinhua Gate of Zhongnanhai, the venue of the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The original image is a historical photograph taken by Chen Zhengqing, using a nostalgic brown tone. In September 1949, the First CPPCC was held here, laying the foundation for the establishment of New China and beginning the CPPCC's journey of struggle.

CPPCC Session Discusses and Approves the National Emblem Design

The image is taken from a historical photograph by Hou Bo, recreating the scene of the CPPCC session reviewing the national emblem design. In the image, figures hold the national emblem design, with a large CPPCC emblem in the background. The national emblem is highlighted in striking red. This is the first time the national emblem and the CPPCC emblem appeared together on a stamp, recording the important moment of the birth of New China's national symbol.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set is designed based on precious historical photographs. The overall tone is nostalgic brown, with the national emblem in the second stamp highlighted in red to emphasize the focal point, combining historical depth. The offset printing provides stable images, faithfully reproducing the era's texture of old photographs. The two stamps echo each other, recording two major historical events in the founding period of the CPPCC. It is a commemorative stamp in the category of major political historical themes.