Scott No: -
Serial number: 2008-19
Values in set: 2 + 1
Date of issue: August 8th, 2008
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Ma Gang
Size of stamps: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition: 16
Printing process of stamps: Photogravure
Size of S/S Stamp: diameter 56mm (circle)
Size of S/S: 140 * 95 mm
Perforation of S/S: 11.5
Printing process of S/S: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On August 8, 2008, the commemorative stamp "Beijing 2008 Olympic Expo" (catalog number 2008-19) was officially issued. The set consists of two stamps with a total face value of 2.40 yuan, with a souvenir sheet (face value 6 yuan) issued concurrently. The stamps were designed by Ma Gang and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works, with a silk souvenir sheet issued as a special edition for the Coin Expo.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Expo was the first Olympic Expo in history, held concurrently with the Beijing Olympics. The expo brought together a century of Olympic philatelic items, medals, badges, and other collectibles, carrying the mission of preserving Olympic collecting culture. The stamps feature two early classic Olympic stamps as their main subject, reflecting on the century-long history of the modern Olympic movement. The accompanying souvenir sheet combines elements of Olympic stamps, medals, and torches. The entire set pays tribute to the centenary of the Olympic movement, embodies the passing of Olympic culture, highlights the theme of "Inherit the Olympics, Passionate Beijing," and serves as a platform for global Olympic collecting and cultural exchange.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

1896 Olympic Stamps (Greece)

Image: A reproduction of the classic Greek stamps from the first modern Olympics.
Significance: The 1896 Athens Olympics were the first modern Olympic Games. These Greek stamps were the first Olympic-themed stamps in the world, holding a milestone position in philatelic history and marking the beginning of Olympic collecting culture.

1928 Olympic Stamps (Portugal)

Image: A reproduction of the Portuguese commemorative stamps for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.
Significance: These stamps represent early Olympic issues, bearing witness to the continued development of the Olympic movement in Europe and the gradual flourishing of Olympic culture in the 20th century.

Souvenir Sheet – Inauguration of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Expo

Image: The circular stamp features a combination of the Greek Olympic stamps, Olympic gold medals, torches, and Olympic mascot figurines. The warm yellow antique background includes a brief description of the expo on the right, with the Beijing Olympic emblem on the border.
Significance: The souvenir sheet presents the diverse exhibits of the Olympic Expo.

Artistic and Design Features:

The two stamps feature a uniform vertical format, distinguished by green and blue color tones. They faithfully reproduce the original appearance of the classical Olympic stamps, preserving their original character. The vertical inscription "2008.08.08" on the side of the stamp reinforces the date. The souvenir sheet features a rare circular stamp design, unusual in modern Chinese stamp issues. The antique paper texture adds a sense of collection value. The overall design is closely tied to the theme of Olympic philately, connecting the historical legacy from the first modern Olympics to the Beijing Games.

This stamp set is an important commemorative issue in the Beijing Olympic series, with a distinctive circular souvenir sheet design that is highly recognizable. Available in multiple formats, it is often collected together with the 2008-12 "Beijing 2008 Olympic Expo" stamp, making it an important item for thematic collections on Olympic philately and the Beijing Olympics.