Scott No: -
Serial number: 2011-3
Values in set: 5
Date of issue: February 21, 2011
Denomination: 600 fen
Designer: Li Chen
Size of stamps: 30*40 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 20, 150 * 240 mm
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Henan Postage Stamp Printing Works

On February 21, 2011, the commemorative stamp "Early Leaders of the Communist Party of China (III)" (catalog number 2011-3) was officially issued, coinciding with the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. This is the third set in the "Early Leaders of the Communist Party of China" series. The set consists of five stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 6 yuan. The stamps were designed by Li Chen, with portrait materials provided by the National Museum of China, and printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory using offset printing.

Thematic Focus of the Set:

The five stamps feature early important leaders of the Communist Party of China who made outstanding contributions during the Great Revolution and the Agrarian Revolution, covering areas such as the labor movement, armed uprisings, Soviet area construction, and theoretical propaganda. The set commemorates the revolutionary pioneers' contributions to the founding of the Party, the Great Revolution, and armed struggle, passing on the red faith. Together with the first two sets of early leaders' stamps, it forms a complete series, systematically presenting the heroic group portrait of early Communists.

Individual Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Chen Yannian (1898–1927)

Image: Half-length portrait of Chen Yannian in a suit.
History: A native of Huaining, Anhui, he went to France for work-study in his early years and participated in the founding of the European Communist organization. He served as Secretary of the Guangdong District Committee of the CPC, Secretary of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang District Committee, and the first Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee. He was arrested in Shanghai in 1927 and, remaining steadfast, was heroically executed at Longhua.
Significance: An outstanding proletarian revolutionary and a core leader of the Party organization in the southern region during the Great Revolution.

Zhang Tailei (1898–1927)

Image: Half-length portrait of Zhang Tailei holding a manuscript.
History: A native of Changzhou, Jiangsu, he was a main founder of the Chinese Socialist Youth League and the first CPC representative sent to work with the Comintern. He led the Guangzhou Uprising and established a Soviet government. He died in battle in 1927, becoming the first member of the Central Political Bureau to die on the front line.
Significance: A main leader of the Guangzhou Uprising and a pioneer of the youth movement.

Luo Yinong (1902–1928)

Image: Half-length portrait of Luo Yinong.
History: A native of Xiangtan, Hunan, he studied Marxist theory in the Soviet Union and served successively as Secretary of the CPC Jiangxi District Committee, Secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee, and a member of the Central Political Bureau. He organized the armed uprising of Shanghai workers and was arrested and killed in Shanghai in 1928.
Significance: An outstanding organizer of the mass movement and an important early central leader.

Yun Daiying (1895–1931)

Image: Half-length portrait of Yun Daiying in glasses.
History: A native of Changzhou, Jiangsu, he was a distinguished theorist and propaganda activist, founding China Youth magazine, which influenced a generation of progressive youth. He participated in the Nanchang Uprising and the Guangzhou Uprising, was arrested in 1930, and died a martyr's death in 1931.
Significance: A renowned disseminator of revolutionary thought and a pioneer of the Party's propaganda front.

Xiang Ying (1898–1941)

Image: Half-length portrait of Xiang Ying in military uniform.
History: A native of Wuchang, Hubei, he was a leader of the labor movement, long engaged in workers' struggles. He served as Vice Chairman of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic and was a main leader of the three-year southern guerrilla war. During the War of Resistance against Japan, he served as Deputy Commander of the New Fourth Army and was killed after the Southern Anhui Incident in 1941.
Significance: A pioneer of the labor movement and an important leader of the Southern Guerrilla War and the New Fourth Army.

Artistic and Design Features:

Artistic Expression: Uniform realistic portraits with elegant, muted backgrounds contrasting with black-and-white figures, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere that highlights the resolute character of the revolutionary martyrs.
Format Consistency: Uniform vertical stamp format with the name and birth and death years vertically arranged on the right side, maintaining visual consistency with the first two sets of "Early Leaders of the Communist Party of China."
Color Treatment: Low-saturation vintage tones create the sense of historical gravity associated with old photographs.
Figure Portrayal: Based on historical photographs, the portraits remain faithful to historical origins, ensuring high recognizability.

This stamp set is a key issue in the red figure series, essential for completing the "Early Leaders (I), (II), and (III)" collection. Issued during the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Party, it holds significant historical commemorative value. The subject matter covers Party history figures, the Great Revolution, armed uprisings, and the labor movement, making it suitable for thematic collections on red Party history and revolutionary martyrs. The consistent series format facilitates easy collection as a complete set, and it has long been valued by collectors of red-themed philately.