Scott No: 3287-8
Serial number: 2003-12
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 2.80 yuan
Date of issue: 20th July 2003
Designer: Huang Huaqing and Hu Zhenyuan
Size of stamps: 40*30 mm
Perforation: 11*11.5
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I
6 for Sheet II
Printing process: Photogravure-engraving
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This is a set of two special stamps titled Tibetan Antelope, issued on July 20, 2003, with a total face value of 2.80 yuan, designed by Huang Huaqiang and Hu Zhenyuan, engraved by Hu Zhenyuan, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using a combination of offset and intaglio (engraving) printing. A miniature sheet was also issued.

The Tibetan antelope, commonly known as the chiru, is a rare wild herbivore unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It inhabits the high-altitude desert regions of the Changtang Plateau and Hoh Xil at elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 meters. Male antelopes have long, slender, straight black horns. The underfur of the Tibetan antelope is extremely fine and light, known as "soft gold." It was once heavily poached by criminals, causing a sharp decline in its population. It is a first-class protected wild animal in China. With years of sustained anti-poaching efforts and the establishment of nature reserves, the Tibetan antelope population has gradually recovered. This stamp set aims to educate the public about this rare plateau species, call for the protection of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecosystem and its wildlife, and showcase the resilient vitality of life in the Hoh Xil wilderness.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Herd of Male Tibetan Antelopes

The stamp depicts three adult male Tibetan antelopes standing on a plateau meadow. Their long, straight horns are elegant and upright, and their fur is a warm brown tone. In the background are rolling, towering snow-capped mountains, with more antelopes visible in the distance. The long horns of the male are the most distinctive feature of the species. The stamp showcases the strong and agile posture of the males and recreates their natural gathering in the wilderness of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, fully displaying the spirit of this plateau creature.

Female and Young Tibetan Antelopes

The main subject is a close-up of the heads of a female and a young Tibetan antelope. The young antelope has clear, lively eyes and soft, delicate fur. In the distance, a female antelope is shown with her young on the grassland, representing the family group of the species. Female antelopes do not have horns and are primarily responsible for breeding and raising offspring. This stamp reflects the tender side of Tibetan antelope reproduction and conveys the importance of protecting the young and ensuring the survival of the species.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses a combination of offset and intaglio printing. The engraved plate finely depicts the texture of the Tibetan antelope's fur and the hard quality of its horns, while the offset printing enhances the vast background of the plateau's snow-capped mountains, with simple and substantial colors. The two stamps portray the Tibetan antelope from two perspectives: a full group view and an individual close-up. The compositions are simple and grand, with the vast environment of the snowy plateau complementing the lively forms of the antelopes. The image of this plateau spirit is captured in the stamps, combining animal educational value with the message of wildlife conservation.