Scott No: -
Serial number: 2004-18
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 440 fen
Date of issue: September 19, 2004
Designer: Zeng Xiaolian, Xu Yanbo
Size of stamp: 30*40mm
Perforation: 13.5*13
Sheet composition:
12 for Sheet I;
8 (4 sets) for Sheet II
Printing process: Gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This special stamp set, Meconopsis, was issued on September 19, 2004. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 4.40 yuan, with both large sheet and miniature sheet formats issued concurrently. The stamps were designed by Zeng Xiaolian and Xu Yanbo, with border illustrations for the miniature sheet by Hu Zhenyuan, Chen Yisi serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

Meconopsis, commonly known as the blue poppy, is a genus of perennial alpine herbaceous plants in the Papaveraceae family. Most species grow at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,500 meters, on snowy meadows, rocky scree slopes, and near glaciers. They are primarily concentrated in the Hengduan Mountains of southwestern China and the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. China is the world's richest country in Meconopsis resources, with more than half of the native species being endemic to the country. These alpine flowers are known for their ability to withstand harsh cold and intense ultraviolet radiation, blooming with vibrant and full flowers in the barren and extreme high-altitude environment. They are often called the "Goddess of the Plateau" by plant enthusiasts. Due to their fragile habitats, many Meconopsis species are rare and in need of protection. This stamp set features four representative native Meconopsis species, showcasing China's unique alpine plant resources, promoting awareness of plateau biodiversity, and encouraging the protection of these precious and fragile alpine ecosystems.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Meconopsis lancifolia

The flowers are a delicate purple-pink with a golden center, with a soft and graceful form. Native to the high-altitude mountains of Yunnan, this species has long, narrow leaves in a rosette formation and is a highly ornamental alpine flower in northwestern Yunnan.

Meconopsis racemosa

The flowers are a clear, deep blue, growing in clusters. The plant is covered in fine hairs, and the flowers form in racemes. Found primarily in the highlands of western Sichuan, the striking blue flowers stand out vividly on the alpine meadows.

Meconopsis punicea

The flowers are a bright red, hanging like bells, with a unique velvet-like texture. This is a rare true-red species among Meconopsis, growing in the alpine meadows of the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Meconopsis integrifolia

The flowers are a bright, brilliant golden yellow, with full and warm petals. The plant is tall and robust, distributed in the mountainous regions of Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan. It is a classic representative of alpine wildflowers.

Artistic and Design Features

The vertical format features a meticulous and precise botanical illustration style, with clean compositions and accurate reproduction of petal colors, plant hairs, and leaf shapes, combining scientific accuracy with artistic beauty. The photogravure printing provides saturated and clear colors with soft and natural transitions. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, and fluorescent spray codes. The miniature sheet features a border of Meconopsis flowers in full bloom, creating a fresh and elegant design. This is a fine example of plant-themed stamps.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of rare alpine wildflowers, including a miniature sheet, suitable for thematic collections on flowers and botanical illustration.