Scott No: -
Serial number: 2008-20
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: August 24th, 2008
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Xiaoyong, David, Geoff
Size of stamps: 33 * 33 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I;
12 (3 sets) for sheet II
Size of Sheet:
160 * 200 mm for sheet I
162 * 175 mm for sheet II
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On August 24, 2008, the commemorative stamp "Olympic Games – From Beijing to London" (catalog number 2008-20) was officially issued, coinciding with the closing ceremony of the 29th Beijing Olympics. The set consists of four stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 4.80 yuan. The stamps were jointly designed by Chinese designer Xiao Yong and British designers David Ellis and Geoff Williamson, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

At the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on August 24, 2008, the Olympic flag was officially handed over to London, marking the transfer of the Olympic Games to the next host city. This joint issue between China and the United Kingdom continues the接力 theme of the "Olympic Games – From Athens to Beijing" stamp set, featuring iconic landmarks from both Beijing and London to connect the two Games. The stamps blend Eastern and Western historical civilizations with modern cityscapes, embodying the Olympic spirit of passing the torch across borders, witnessing cultural exchange between China and the United Kingdom, and reflecting the core Olympic values of peace, friendship, and unity.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

National Stadium

Image: The main subject is the steel structure of the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest).
Significance: The Bird's Nest was the main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 29th Beijing Olympics, representing a landmark in contemporary Chinese sports architecture and the glory of the Beijing Olympics.

Forbidden City Corner Tower

Image: The Corner Tower of the Forbidden City.
Significance: The Corner Tower is a classic example of traditional Chinese architecture, embodying the rich historical and cultural heritage of China and representing the ancient Eastern civilization of Beijing.

London Eye

Image: The London Eye on the River Thames.
Significance: As a modern landmark of London, the London Eye symbolizes the city's vibrant urban life and represents contemporary British cityscapes.

Tower of London

Image: The ancient Tower of London on the River Thames.
Significance: With nearly a thousand years of history, the Tower of London is a classic historical monument, reflecting the legacy of British classical civilization.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a uniform square format, with the four stamps arranged to pair modern sports architecture with Eastern ancient architecture, and modern city landmarks with Western ancient castles. The design uses a simple, realistic style with clean compositions. The Olympic rings are placed at the top of each stamp, reinforcing the Olympic theme. The colors are chosen to distinguish the architectural characters of the East and West, creating a balanced visual effect. The joint design by Chinese and British designers ensures visual consistency across the stamps issued by both countries. The self-adhesive miniature sheet is a notable feature, suitable for real-use collecting.

This stamp set is a joint issue commemorating the Olympics, continuing the Athens–Beijing Olympic relay series and forming a complete chain of Olympic handover themes. Available in multiple formats, it is one of the concluding stamps of the Beijing Olympic series. Collectors often combine it with the full set of Beijing Olympic stamps, while also categorizing it as an important item for thematic collections on international joint issues and the Olympic movement.