2003-02, Yangliuqing Woodprint New Year Pictures《杨柳青木版年画》

Stamp Title: Yangliuqing Woodprint New Year Pictures
Scott No: 3255, 3256, 3257, 3258
Serial number: 2003-2
Values in set: 4
(4-1), Five Boys wrestling for a lotus, 80 fen, 40*30 mm
(4-2), Zhong Kui, 80 fen, 30*40 mm
(4-3), Stealing the Herb of Immortality, 80 fen, 30*40 mm
(4-4), Wealth in a Jade Hall, 200 fen, 40*30 mm
Denomination: 4.40 yuan
Date of issue: 25th Jan. 2003
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamps:
40*30 mm for Values 1 and 3
30*40 mm for Values 2 and 4
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 20
Printing process: Photogravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

The Yangliuqinig New Year Picture, a well known folk woodblock print for the lunar New Year in North China, originated during the late Ming Dynasty in Yangliuqing Country to the west of Tianjin, hence the name. It has a popular appeal and draws on elements from various areas such as folktales, figures from traditional operas, landscapes, birds and flowers. It typically features large carp and chubby babies that are drawn in a figurative style to represent blessings and happiness. Combining block chromatography and hand painting, Yangliuqing New Year Pictures, with their well-rounded composition and vivid colours, are very popular among the people. They are used for decorating rooms during festivals, embodying hopes for a happy life.

2003年特种邮票《杨柳青木版年画》
国家邮政局2003年1月25日发行《杨柳青木版年画》特种邮票1套4枚。
（4-1）T 五子夺莲 80分 1110万枚
（4-2）T 钟馗 80分 1090万枚
（4-3）T 盗仙草 80分 1090万枚
（4-4）T 玉堂富贵 2元 920万枚
志号：2003-2
版别：影写
邮票规格：40×30mm（第一、三图）；30×40mm（第二、四图）
齿孔度数：12度
整张枚数：版式一20枚；版式二8枚（150mm×240mm，2套邮票，发行量94万版）
设计者：王虎鸣
印制厂：北京邮票厂

杨柳青年画始于明代后期，清代达到极盛，主要流行于中国北方的民间，为中国四大木版年画之一。杨柳青年画题材广泛，色彩艳丽，以其夸张的表现，热闹喜庆的画面，浓郁的地方生活气息而独树一帜。邮票上的四副杨柳青木版年画，原稿选自著名的天津杨柳青画社，是从留存的精品中挑选出极具代表性的作品，在方寸中再现了原作的艺术魅力。将张贴年画的传统习俗引入邮票的鉴赏。

由于杨柳青木版年画是在木版印刷的基础上又进行了手工设色，为最大限度地贴近原作，营造出一种统一、协调、典雅的艺术氛围，这套邮票在制版和印制等技术环节都有新的突破。