Scott No: -
Serial number: 2012-17
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: July 27, 2012
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Shang Yin, Shen Jiahong
Size of stamps: 33 * 33 mm
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I;
8 for Sheet II (2 Sets)
175 * 185 mm for Sheet I;
176 * 118 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On July 27, 2012, the commemorative stamp set "The 30th Olympic Games" (catalog number 2012-17) was officially issued to commemorate the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London, United Kingdom, and to promote the Olympic spirit. The set consists of four stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 4.80 yuan. The stamps were designed by Shang Ying and Shen Jiahong, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works. Each stamp measures 33 mm × 33 mm, and was produced using the photogravure process, incorporating anti-counterfeiting paper, anti-counterfeiting ink, shaped perforations, and fluorescent spray codes. The stamps were issued in two formats: Sheet I contains 16 stamps, while Sheet II contains 8 stamps (2 complete sets). This set is China's commemorative stamp issue for the London Olympics.

The stamp set features four classic Olympic sports: Football, Tennis, Equestrianism, and Athletics, combined with iconic London city landmarks. It showcases the vitality of Olympic sports and echoes the London 2012 slogan "Inspire a Generation," embodying the Olympic ideals of "Faster, Higher, Stronger."

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

1. Football

Image: A silhouette of a football player against the backdrop of the British Parliament and Big Ben.

Background: Football is a traditional Olympic team sport with global popularity; the United Kingdom is the birthplace of modern football.

2. Tennis

Image: A silhouette of a tennis player swinging a racket, with the London Eye Ferris wheel in the background.

Background: Tennis originated in the United Kingdom, and the Wimbledon Championships are world-renowned, making it a quintessentially British sport.

3. Equestrianism

Image: A silhouette of a rider and horse jumping, set against the backdrop of the English countryside.

Background: Equestrianism has a long history and a strong following in the United Kingdom; it is also an official Olympic sport.

4. Athletics

Image: A silhouette of an athlete sprinting and hurdling, with Tower Bridge in the background.

Background: Athletics, often called the "Mother of Sports," is a core Olympic event and embodies the original spirit of the Games.

Artistic and Design Features:

Artistic Technique: The stamps employ a creative backlight silhouette effect, simulating the visual impact of sunlight passing through the human body, creating a strong sense of motion.

Color Palette: The designs incorporate gradients of red and blue, the colors of the British flag, giving them a modern and stylish feel.

Composition: Each stamp pairs an athlete with a distinctive London landmark, indicating the host city. The four stamps share a unified design style, working both individually and as a cohesive set.

Design Concept: Each stamp captures a representative moment from its sport, highlighting the unique characteristics of each discipline.

This stamp set is a specially issued Olympic-themed issue by China Post for the London Olympics, featuring a modern and minimalist design. It covers a range of sports, including ball games, equestrianism, and athletics, making it suitable for Olympic and sports-themed philately. As a commemorative stamp issue for an overseas Summer Olympics, it holds value for both sports event-themed collecting and as a record of the era.