Serial number: 2009-24
Scott Number: -
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 240 fen
Date of issue: October 16, 2009
Size of stamp: 33 * 33 mm
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition: 20
Size of sheet: 170 * 210 mm
SIze of M/S: 130 * 80 mm
Designer of stamp: Gao Zhongyu
Printing process: Offset
Printer: Shenyang Posts and Telecommunications Printing House

On October 16, 2009, the commemorative stamp "11th National Games of the People's Republic of China" (catalog number 2009-24) 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, with a souvenir sheet priced at 3.60 yuan issued concurrently. The stamps were designed by Gao Zhongyu and printed by Shenyang Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory in Liaoning Province using offset printing, with graphic materials provided by the Organizing Committee of the 11th National Games.

The 11th National Games of the People's Republic of China were held in Shandong in 2009, with the main venue in Jinan, under the theme "Harmonious China, National Games for All." This edition of the Games coincided with the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China and the 50th anniversary of the National Games, making it the largest comprehensive sports event in China since the Beijing Olympics. The stamps feature the core visual symbols of the Games: the emblem and the mascot. They showcase the spirit of national fitness and athletic competition, incorporating elements of Shandong's Taishan culture, promoting the Games, and highlighting the vibrant development of both competitive and mass sports in China.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Emblem

Image: The main design features the official emblem of the 11th National Games, with colorful abstract lines forming a dynamic image of a running figure, incorporating the contours of Mount Tai. Below is the inscription "2009 China · Shandong."
Significance: The emblem is inspired by the culture of Mount Tai and the Yellow River, with vibrant colors symbolizing athletes from across the nation gathering in Shandong, conveying a spirit of unity, progress, and vitality.

Mascot

Image: The mascot "Taishan Boy" is depicted in a red outfit, striding forward with a thumbs-up gesture. The design is inspired by the Taishan Stone Guardian (Taishan Shigandang).
Significance: The mascot carries the cultural significance of Mount Tai, symbolizing vitality, resilience, and upward progress, while conveying wishes for peace and good fortune. It is the most recognizable image of the Games.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a square-shaped stamp format, with unified compositions and a clean, modern design. The emblem stamp uses a white background to highlight the colorful abstract graphics, creating a strong visual impact. The mascot stamp features a light blue water-like background, giving it a lively and dynamic feel. The overall design incorporates elements of Shandong's regional culture, integrating Mount Tai into the Games' identity. The souvenir sheet combines the two stamps with stadium silhouettes in the background, creating a fresh and bright impression that matches the vibrant atmosphere of a major sports event.

This stamp set is an important commemorative issue for the National Games, carrying the special historical context of the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China. Available in multiple formats including stamp set, large sheet, and souvenir sheet, it is often collected together with stamps of previous National Games and other sports events, making it a representative issue in China's sports-themed modern stamp collection.