Scott No: 3521-4
Serial number: 2006-19
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: August 8, 2006
Denomination: 520 fen
Designer: Wang Ming, Xin Jing
Size of stamps: 30*40 mm
Perforation: 13.5*13
Sheet composition:
12 for Sheet I;
8(2 sets, sticking) for Sheet II
Printing process:
Photogravure for Sheet I;
Photogravure and silkscreen for Sheet II
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on August 8, 2006. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 5.20 yuan, designed by Wang Min and Xin Jing, with Zhao Lei serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

This stamp set is the first in the Beijing Olympic sports series, featuring four classic Olympic events. Using simple and dynamic abstract icons, it captures the vitality of sports, creating a festive atmosphere in anticipation of the Beijing Olympics and conveying the Olympic spirit of "Faster, Higher, Stronger."

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Basketball

On a bright yellow background, a white stylized figure leaps to shoot a basketball, with the outline of a hoop beside it. The image captures the explosive power of a slam dunk, highlighting the passionate and vibrant nature of the sport.

Fencing

Set against a fresh green background, simple lines depict two fencers in action, capturing the elegant and swift nature of fencing, with its rapid shifts between attack and defense. The design reflects the unique speed and grace of the sport.

Sailing

A deep blue background evokes the sea, with flowing white lines outlining a sailboat cutting through the waves. The image conveys the dynamic and exhilarating nature of sailing, capturing the freedom and spirit of water sports.

Gymnastics

A bold red background highlights the powerful and graceful lines of a gymnast in mid-air, capturing the elegant and precise movements of the sport, showcasing the combination of strength and beauty in gymnastics.

Artistic and Design Features

The vertical stamps feature a modern and impressionistic style, with splashed-color backgrounds and clean, minimalist white figures. Each stamp uses a distinct color theme to differentiate the sports, with the Beijing Olympic emblem and five rings placed in the upper right corner. The set exudes a youthful and dynamic energy. In addition to the regular large sheet, a self-adhesive miniature sheet was also issued, offering a variety of formats for collectors.

This stamp set is a commemorative issue for the Beijing Olympics and the first in the sports series, suitable for thematic collections on Olympic events and sports.