Scott No: -
Serial number: 2019-9
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: May 11, 2019
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Gong Wenzhen
Size of stamps: 40 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I;
8 for Sheet II (2 sets)
Sheet Size:
200 * 150 mm for sheet I;
130 * 190 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Offset + Engraving
Printing House: Henan Provincal Postage Stamp Printing Works

China Post is scheduled to issue a set of 4 special stamps titled "Peonies (Shaoyao)" on May 11, 2019. The names of the stamp designs are respectively: Paeonia lactiflora (Common Peony), Paeonia veitchii (Veitch's Peony), Paeonia obovata (Obovate Peony), and Paeonia mairei (Maire's Peony). The total face value of the complete set is 4.80 yuan.

Peonies (Paeonia), belonging to the genus Paeonia in the family Paeoniaceae, are perennial herbs with large and beautiful flowers. They are important ornamental and medicinal plants. There are about 30 species of Paeonia worldwide, mainly distributed in the temperate regions of Eurasia, with a few species native to North America. China has 15 species, which are distributed in the southwest, northwest, central, north and northeast of the country. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) and herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) are like "sister species" in the Paeonia genus. Unfortunately, tree peonies have a short blooming period—they bloom in mid-April and wither by mid-May. However, herbaceous peonies are just as gorgeous and stunning, and their blooming period lasts until June, allowing people to fully enjoy the beauty of nature.

Herbaceous peonies are known as the "Flower Fairy" and the "Flower God of May". Since ancient times, poets have loved herbaceous peonies and left numerous beautiful poems eulogizing them.

This set of stamps adopts the traditional Chinese meticulous painting technique, focusing on the detailed depiction of the shapes of peony flowers and leaves. The brushwork is neat and meticulous, and the coloring is natural and elegant, depicting the elegant and delicate posture of herbaceous peonies through the contrast of void and solid. The stamps are printed using the offset and intaglio combination process. With the engraver's skilled techniques, exquisite knife work, and vivid dots and lines, each stamp presents a vibrant scene of blooming herbaceous peonies.

This set of stamps is designed by Mr. Gong Wenzhen—a renowned traditional Chinese painter, a leading figure in Chinese meticulous flower-and-bird painting, and the designer of stamps such as "Chinese Orchids", "Magnolias" and "Crabapples". It is printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory.