Scott No: -
Serial number: 2010-12
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 240 fen
Date of issue: June 1, 2010
Designer: Liu Guizhong
Size of stamp: 40 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 20
Size of sheet: 240 * 150 mm
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

On June 1, 2010, the special stamp "Wen Yanbo Fills the Hole with Water to Retrieve the Ball" (catalog number 2010-12) was officially issued, coinciding with International Children's Day. 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 stamp booklet (catalog number 40-2010) issued concurrently. The stamps were designed by Liu Guizhong, with the booklet designed by Song Jian, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

This stamp set belongs to the series of ancient Chinese children's wisdom stories. Wen Yanbo, the protagonist, was a renowned statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty, known for his exceptional intelligence as a child. "Wen Yanbo Fills the Hole with Water to Retrieve the Ball" is counted among the four great ancient children's wisdom stories, along with "Sima Guang Smashes the Vat," "Kong Rong Gives Up the Biggest Pear," and "Cao Chong Weighs the Elephant." The stamps capture two key scenes from the story, demonstrating the principle of buoyancy to retrieve a ball, promoting the values of observation, applying knowledge, and calm problem-solving. This stamp set conveys traditional cultural wisdom to children and enriches the series of ancient children's stories.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

The Ball Falls into the Hole

Image: Depicts children playing ball outdoors, with the ball accidentally falling into a tree hole, and the children looking anxious, setting the scene.
History: According to legend, when the young Wen Yanbo was playing with his companions, a ball fell into a deep tree hole, leaving everyone at a loss, leading to the subsequent solution.
Significance: The opening scene, establishing the conflict.

Filling with Water to Retrieve the Ball

Image: Shows children carrying water to fill the tree hole, with the ball gradually floating up due to buoyancy, while Wen Yanbo stands calmly nearby.
History: Wen Yanbo came up with the idea of using water's buoyancy to retrieve the ball, demonstrating his resourcefulness.
Significance: The core scene of the story, highlighting the child's wisdom.

Artistic and Design Features:

Format: Uniform horizontal stamp format, with the two images forming a continuous narrative in a comic strip style.
Painting Style: Traditional gongbi (meticulous brushwork) folk painting style, with rounded, cute children figures and fresh, bright colors, suitable for a children's theme.
Scene Setting: Willow trees and green grass create an ancient courtyard atmosphere, with distinct expressions on the children's faces, vividly recreating the scene.
Series Integration: Complements "Sima Guang Smashes the Vat," "Kong Rong Gives Up the Biggest Pear," and "Cao Chong Weighs the Elephant" to form a complete series of ancient children's wisdom stamps.

This stamp set was specially issued for Children's Day, covering themes of traditional children's stories, cultural education, and folk wisdom tales. Available in multiple formats, it is an important modern stamp for thematic collections on ancient children's stories and traditional folk culture, often collected together with the other three ancient children's wisdom stamps.