China Issues Stamp on Calligraphy Paper

The Global Times reports, "A new set of stamps featuring calligraphy masterpieces from four of China's most famous masters, such as Lan Tingxu (303-361AD), has caused a stir among local philatelists, yet the real excitement is not some much the content as the form. For the first time, the stamps are being printed on Xuan Zhi, Xuan paper, a traditional Chinese material that has been used for calligraphy for over 1,000 years."

Cai Yang, director of China Philatelic News and a stamp collector is quoted in the piece as saying, "The stamp is the first of its kind to better reflect the idea of calligraphy. Before the calligraphy paper, stamps have also been made from silk, gold or silver foils, and tree skins."

"Just days after going on sale on May 15, prices for the stamps have risen from 7 ($1) to 22 yuan ($3.2) per set of six," writes reporter Yin Yeping.

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