Definitive 96 Chinese Culture Heroes Definitive Postage Stamps (1972) (A096)

Stamp SN : A096
Stamp Name : Definitive 96 Chinese Culture Heroes Definitive Postage Stamps (1972)
Stamp Cat Standard : Definitive Stamps
Stamp Cat : Culture Heroes
Issue date : 1972-09-20
Dimension of stamps(mm.) : 27x37
Printer : China Engraving & Printing Works, R.O.C.
Process : Intaglio
Paper : 76`lb "郵"( post) watermarkedpaper with red-blue fiber
Photographer : Liu Pao-chin
Engraver : Pao Liang-yu

Stamp No. Issue date Number issued
D96.1 20. 9.1972 2,000,000
25. 7.1974 5,000,000
D96.2 20. 9.1972 8,000,000
25. 7.1974 8,000,000
D96.3 20. 9.1972 2,000,000
25. 7.1974 3,000,000
D96.4 20. 9.1972 10,000,000
25. 7.1974 7,000,000
D96.5 2. 4.1973 1,000,000
D96.6 2. 4.1973 1,000,000
25. 7.1974 2,000,000
26. 1.1976 8,000,000
D96.7 2. 4.1973 3,000,000
15.11.1973 3,000,000
25. 7.1974 10,000,000
26. 1.1976 7,000,000
D96.8 2. 4.1973 3,000,000
26. 7.1974 10,000,000
26. 1.1976 20,000,000

This set of stamps Consist of eight values ranging from 3.50 to 8.00, featuring eight Chinese culture heroes. The designs of these stamps are based on the paintings which were originally kept in the Forbidden City of Peiping, and now are in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. The various designs not only depict the appearance and prestige of Chinese culture heroes but also show the costumes of their time. The stamps are as follows： 3.50 Emperor Yao (2357-2258 B.C.) was the sixth emperor in the line of the Yellow Emperor. He ruled his people through virtue. In order to hear the people's grievances, he placed outside his palace door a drum by which they might appeal to him, and a tablet upon which they might write advice to the government. He also introduced a new political ideal by choosing the unrelated, but virtuous, Shun to be his successor in place of his own son. 4.00 Emperor Shun (2255-2208 B.C.) the seventh emperor in the line of the Yellow Emperor, was a model of a filially devoted son, a hero who persevered in controlling floods. He improved the calendar, standardized weights and measures, and reduced the size of the whip with which Chinese children were educated. Instead of choosing his own son to be his successor, he abdicated his throne and invited Yu to be the emperor. His filial piety and moral conduct were highly praised by the Chinese. 4.50 Yu, the Great (2205-2198 B.C.), a minister of Emperor Shun, with the help and cooperation of the people, brought the Great Flood under control and opened up the waterway after a 13`year struggle. He founded the dynasty named Hsia, divided the country into nine administrative districts, and established a system of land taxes. At that time the territorial boundaries of China began to take shape. The Hsia dynasty was the first to establish a nationwide governmental structure based on the principle of hereditary kingship. 5.00 King T'ang (1783-1754 B.C.) founded the Shang dynasty. The last of the Hsia rulers was so depraved that the people revolted against him under the leadership of T'ang. This was the first revolution recorded in China, and has usually been used in Chinese history as a precedent to justify any revolution against tyranny. The Shang dynasty reached the zenith of China's bronze age, attaining a perfection in skill and design unsurpassed anywhere and anytime. 5.50 King Wen (1171-1122 B.C.) was a benevolent sovereign, contemporary with the last Shang ruler. He ruled his people well, so that many states and able men were drawn to his side. Though two-thirds of China came under his influence, he still kept good relations with the Shang and refused to revolt. His virtue of humbleness and modesty was greatly admired by Confucius. 6.00 King Wu (1121-1114 B.C.), King Wen's son, succeeded to the throne when his father died. Leading the tribal armies against the ruling tyrant, he founded the great feudal dynasty of Chou. He announced that the expedition was undertaken to satisfy the demands of the people, a declaration that has often been quoted by later generations. 7.00 The Duke of Chou (Chou Kung) greatly aided his brother King Wu, in the war with the Shang. He formulated the Law of Chou (Chouli), set up the feudal system, and classified the various branches of a clan. 8.00 Confucius (551-479 B.C.) is the greatest teacher, philosopher, and political theorist in China's history. His teachings form the core of Chinese culture. The essence of his teachings lies in two main categories of virtues： outwardly, rule of proper conduct; and inwardly, benevolent love. The paper used for the additional prints issued on July 25, 1974 changed to locally produced 76`lb. watermarked paper of larger "郵"(post) but least dyed fiber. The paper used for the additional prints issued on January 26,1976 again changed to 90g/m2 paper. In the meantime, the printing process changed from wet copper plate to dry copper plate, and parts of the stamps were perforated by the electric comb perforating machine.