Serial number: 2009-29
Scott Number: -
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 240 fen
Date of issue: November 28, 2009
Size of stamp: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 20
Size of sheet: 150 * 240 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Designer of stamp: Liu Zhao
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

On November 28, 2009, the commemorative stamp "Ma Lianliang's Stage Art" (catalog number 2009-30) was officially issued, marking the centenary of Ma Lianliang's formal entry into the world of Peking opera. 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 Liu Zhao and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

Ma Lianliang was the foremost of the "Four Great Xu Sheng" (old male roles) of Peking opera and the founder of the Ma school of laosheng (old male) performance. He was a highly influential Peking opera master of modern times, known for his smooth and flowing singing style and his delicate and vivid stage performances, creating many classic laosheng stage roles. The stamps feature two representative works from Ma Lianliang's early and later career, presenting his artistic style through classic stage makeup. "Borrowing the East Wind" was his signature early work, while "The Orphan of Zhao" represents the pinnacle of his later career. Together, they present the complete artistic development of this master, preserving the cultural heritage of Peking opera. This is the first Peking opera master-themed special stamp set since the "Mei Lanfang's Stage Art" issue.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Borrowing the East Wind (Zhuge Liang)

Image: Ma Lianliang in the full stage costume of Zhuge Liang, wearing a Bagua robe and holding a sword, with an altar for summoning the wind and celestial patterns in the background.
Significance: "Borrowing the East Wind" was a classic piece in Ma Lianliang's repertoire for half a century, establishing his portrayal of the resourceful and elegant Zhuge Liang as a model for later performers. It is a representative early work of the Ma school.

The Orphan of Zhao (Cheng Ying)

Image: A half-body close-up of Ma Lianliang as Cheng Ying, with a long beard, a resolute expression, and a background of ancient war chariots in line drawing style.
Significance: "The Orphan of Zhao" was a masterpiece that Ma Lianliang devoted himself to adapting and perfecting in his later years. He successfully portrayed the loyal and self-sacrificing character of Cheng Ying, demonstrating the depth of his character portrayal skills.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a uniform vertical format, cleverly using a contrast between full-body and half-body close-up compositions. The simple and elegant background, combined with the calligraphic title "Ma Lianliang's Stage Art" and seal engraving on the left, creates a scholarly atmosphere. The stage makeup and costumes are faithfully reproduced, with simple and elegant backgrounds that do not distract from the figure. The oval-shaped perforations add to the stamps' recognizability. The overall design balances the aesthetics of Peking opera with traditional Chinese artistic sensibilities.

This stamp set is a classic special issue in the category of Peking opera masters, forming a series with stamps of other opera masters such as Mei Lanfang, Zhou Xinfang, and Cheng Yanqiu. Available in stamp set and large sheet formats, it is highly valued by collectors interested in opera culture and figure-themed philately.