Scott Number: -
Serial number: 2011-5
Values in set: 6
Denomination: 680 fen
Date of issue: March 21, 2011
Size of stamp: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 20 for Value I; 12 for Value II (2 sets)
Size of Sheet:
150 * 240 mm for Value I;
140 * 190 mm for Value II
Designer: Gaoyun, Shenning
Printing process: photogravure
Printer: Henan Postage Stamp Printing House

On March 21, 2011, the special stamp "The Scholars" (catalog number 2011-5) was officially issued, based on the classical satirical novel The Scholars by Wu Jingzi. It is an important addition to the series of stamps featuring classical literary masterpieces. The set consists of six stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 7.20 yuan. The stamps were designed by Gao Yun and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

The stamps depict six well-known classic scenes from the novel, offering a panorama of scholars under the imperial examination system, including both obsessed careerists and those indifferent to fame and fortune. Through these scenes, the stamps recreate the novel's sharp satirical art, exposing the impact of the feudal examination system on scholars, while also praising those who remained true to their principles and resisted worldly temptations, conveying the ideological depth of this masterpiece of ancient Chinese satirical literature.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Wang Mian Painting Lotuses

Image: The young Wang Mian sits by a lotus pond, absorbed in painting the flowers.
History: Wang Mian is the opening character of the novel, indifferent to fame and fortune, refusing to enter officialdom, and making a living by painting lotuses. He serves as the ideal recluse figure and sets the novel's moral standard.
Significance: A representative of the novel's positive characters, embodying the author's ideal of embracing nature and despising the imperial examination system.

Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Examination

Image: Fan Jin, upon seeing the news of his success, goes mad with joy, while others rush to help him.
History: After years of failure, Fan Jin finally passes the imperial examination and becomes delirious with excitement—one of the novel's most famous episodes, sharply satirizing the distortion of human nature by the examination system.
Significance: The most widely known scene in the novel, epitomizing the careerist scholar under feudal examination system.

Two Wicks of Lamp Oil

Image: Yan Jiansheng lies on his deathbed, holding up two fingers and refusing to breathe his last.
History: The miserly landlord Yan Jiansheng, on his deathbed, worries about the waste of having two wicks burning. Only when one is removed does he finally pass away.
Significance: A classic miser figure in Chinese literary history, rendered with sharp satirical effect.

Du Shaoqing and His Wife Outing

Image: Du Shaoqing and his wife enjoy an outing together, behaving freely and without regard for feudal social conventions.
History: Du Shaoqing defies feudal etiquette, generously helps others, and pursues personal freedom, embodying a rebellious spirit.
Significance: A scholar figure who seeks personal liberation and resists worldly conventions.

Shen Qiongzhi Selling Her Writings at Lijia Bridge

Image: The talented woman Shen Qiongzhi earns her living on the streets of Nanjing through her writing and poetry.
History: Unwilling to become a salt merchant's concubine, Shen Qiongzhi escapes to Nanjing and supports herself through her poetry, writing, and embroidery.
Significance: A rare independent female figure in the novel.

Jing Yuan Playing the Qin

Image: Jing Yuan, a tailor by trade, burns incense and plays the qin in his leisure time.
History: Though a common craftsman, Jing Yuan is skilled in the qin, avoids associating with the powerful, and finds contentment in his ordinary life.
Significance: Represents the "hidden master" among common people, demonstrating that true refinement lies not in official rank.

Artistic and Design Features:

Painting Style: Fine brushwork with light colors, featuring vivid, classical figure depictions and elegant scenes that reflect the social atmosphere of the Qing Dynasty.
Narrative Structure: The six stamps function like a comic strip, each scene an independent illustration while collectively serving the novel's overall theme.
Composition: Uniform vertical format with ample negative space, creating a distant, evocative mood.
Color Palette: The colors are subtle and restrained, avoiding strong, bright hues, in keeping with the novel's understated and cool satirical style.

This stamp set is the first dedicated stamp issue based on The Scholars, filling a gap in stamps featuring classical satirical literature. It belongs to the Chinese classical literary masterpiece series and can be collected alongside stamps based on the Four Great Classical Novels, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, and other literary works. The stories are highly recognizable, and the characters are classic, making this set suitable for thematic collections on classical novels and ancient Chinese literature, offering outstanding literary appreciation value.