Serial number: 2009-21
Scott Number: -
Values in set: 1
Denomination: 120 fen
Date of issue: September 17, 2009
Size of stamp: 40 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 16
Size of sheet: 200 * 177 mm
Printing process: Offset
Designer of stamp: Shang Ying
Printer: Henan Postage Stamp Printing House

On September 17, 2009, the commemorative stamp "100th Anniversary of Lanzhou University" (catalog number 2009-21) was officially issued. The set consists of one stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan, designed by Shang Ying and printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory using offset printing. The university emblem was designed by Gan Hui, and the centennial logo by Lin Yandong, with materials provided by Lanzhou University.

Lanzhou University traces its origins to the Gansu College of Law and Politics, founded in 1909, marking the beginning of modern higher education in Northwest China. It is a national key comprehensive university directly under the Ministry of Education, and a key institution in the "985 Project" and "211 Project." In 2009, marking the 100th anniversary of its founding, China Post issued this stamp to commemorate the university's century-long journey. Rooted in the Northwest for a century, Lanzhou University upholds its motto of "Self-improvement and Uniqueness," making significant contributions to talent cultivation, scientific research in the western region, and regional development. This stamp presents the university's centennial heritage, promoting its spirit of dedication and truth-seeking. It is the fifth university in China to be featured on a commemorative stamp, following Peking University, Fudan University, Tongji University, and the University of Science and Technology of China.

Stamp Design and Historical Background:

100th Anniversary of Lanzhou University

Image: The main visual is an artistic representation of the number "100" forming the centennial logo. The university emblem is placed at the center, featuring the main building of the university and the founding year "1909." The upper right corner displays the university motto: "Self-improvement and Uniqueness." The "1" incorporates imagery of a book and a torch, symbolizing knowledge transmission and academic pursuit. The spiral "0" is inspired by the waves of the Yellow River, reflecting Lanzhou's location on the banks of the Yellow River. The overall red background conveys the solemn and festive atmosphere of the centennial celebration.

Artistic and Design Features:

The stamp design departs from the common practice of using campus scenes, instead employing abstract symbolic elements. The modern, minimalist style is highly recognizable. The contrast between the gold lines and red background conveys both a festive and scholarly atmosphere. The integration of the emblem, motto, and centennial logo provides a concise representation of Lanzhou University's regional character and institutional spirit.

This stamp set belongs to the thematic category of centennial university commemorative stamps and is a representative issue for key universities in the western region. Available in stamp set and large sheet formats, it is often collected together with other university anniversary stamps such as Peking University, Fudan University, and Jiaotong University.