Scott No: -
Serial number: 2008-12
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: April 30, 2008
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Ma Gang
Size of stamps: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation:
11.5 * 10 for I;
12.5 for II
Sheet composition: 16
Printing process:
photogravure for I;
offset for II
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On April 30, 2008, the special stamp "Beijing 2008 Olympic Expo" (catalog number 2008-12) was officially issued. The set consists of two stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 2.40 yuan. The stamps were designed by Ma Gang and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Expo was the world's first Olympic Expo, held under the theme "Inherit the Olympics, Passionate Beijing" at the Beijing Exhibition Center during the Beijing Olympics. The expo, jointly organized by the International Olympic Committee and China Post, went beyond traditional Olympic philately exhibitions to feature Olympic stamps, coins, medals, and sports collectibles. China Post issued this special stamp set to promote the expo in advance, trace the century-long development of the Olympic movement, showcase Olympic culture, integrate the Olympic spirit with Chinese humanistic ideals, and embody the concepts of "Green Olympics, High-Tech Olympics, and People's Olympics," while serving as a platform for cultural exchange between China and the world.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Inheriting the Olympics

Image: On a white background, the red circular emblem of the expo is featured, blending traditional Chinese motifs such as auspicious clouds and phoenixes, surrounded by circular dots. Below are the Olympic rings and the text "OLYMPIC EXPO Beijing 2008" in both Chinese and English.
Significance: The emblem integrates traditional Chinese patterns with Olympic symbols, signifying the passing of the Olympic torch and the blending of Eastern and Western civilizations.

Passionate Beijing

Image: The main subject is the Beijing Exhibition Center, the venue of the Olympic Expo, with golden flowing ribbons in the background and the Olympic rings above.
Significance: The Beijing Exhibition Center, as the host venue, witnessed the gathering of Olympic collectors from around the world, symbolizing the arrival of the Olympics in Beijing and the public's enthusiastic welcome.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a uniform vertical format, with a striking contrast between the white and warm yellow backgrounds, creating a clear distinction and complementary relationship between the two stamps. The first stamp is minimalist and modern, focusing on the event's logo with a clean and grand design. The second stamp features realistic architectural imagery, with warm tones creating a lively atmosphere. The two designs emphasize different elements but are unified through the Olympic rings. The use of two different printing techniques—photogravure for the first stamp and offset for the second—adds visual texture, while the overall layout is neat and coordinated.

This stamp set is an important special issue of the Beijing Olympic series, marking the unique historical event of the first Olympic Expo. Available in stamp set and large sheet formats, it is often collected together with other Beijing Olympic stamps, such as the torch relay, opening ceremony, and other Olympic-themed issues, making it an important item for thematic collections on Olympic culture and sports events.