2004-11, Sima Guang Breaking the Vat《司马光砸缸》

Stamp Title: Sima Guang Breaking the Vat
Scott No: 3363, 3364, 3365
Serial number: 2004-11
Values in set: 3
(3-1), Fallen into Water, 80 fen, 30*40 mm
(3-2), Breaking the Vat, 80 fen, 30*40 mm
(3-3), Rescued, 200 fen, 30*40 mm
Denomination: 360 fen
Date of issue: June 1, 2004
Designer: Li Wei
Size of stamps: 30*40 mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition:
20 for Sheet I,
6 for Sheet II
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

Sima Guang (1019 – 1086 AD) was a Prime Minister and outstanding historian of the Northern Song Dynasty. He devoted his life to writing the classical chronicle “Historical Events Retold as a Mirror for Government” (Zi Zhi Tong Jian). As a young boy, Sima Guang was a diligent and curious student, showing an outstanding intelligence. When he was six or seven years old, once he was playing with his friends in the courtyard, when a child fell into a large vat full of water. Frightened, the other children ran away. But Sima Guang suddenly hit on an idea. He picked up a stone and broke the vat with it. The water split out, and the child was rescued. Shortly afterwards his deed was drawn into pictures and widely told. Till today this story has been known to every household in China, inspiring countless children’s minds and courage.

2004年特种邮票《司马光砸缸》
国家邮政局2004年6月1日发行《司马光砸缸》特种邮票1套3枚。
（3-1）T 落水 80分 1200万枚
（3-2）T 砸缸 80分 1200万枚
（3-3）T 获救 2元 1100万枚
志号：2004-11
版别：影写
邮票规格：30×40毫米
齿孔度数：12度
整张枚数：版式一20(4×5)、版式二6枚（2套邮票）（发行90万版）
整张规格：版式一150×240毫米、版式二120×184毫米
防伪方式：防伪纸张、防伪油墨、荧光喷码
设计者：李炜
印制厂：北京邮票厂

中国邮政定于2004年6月1日发行《司马光砸缸》特种邮票1套3枚。
司马光(公元1019-1086)，北宋大臣，杰出的史学家，曾作过宰相，并以毕生精力完成了著名的编年体通史《资治通鉴》。司马光自幼勤奋好学，很早就显示出过人的才智。六、七岁时，与同伴在院中玩耍，有个小孩落入水缸。在场的孩子吓得四散跑开，司马光却急中生智，搬起石头将水缸击破，让水流出，小朋友获救了。当时基有人将这件事会成图画广为流传。千百年来，这个故事家喻户晓，不知激发过多少少年儿童的智慧和勇气。