Liberation Area Stamp Appraisal

1949 East China Liberation Area 7th Anniversary Stamp

This is a rectangular postage stamp issued in 1949 to commemorate the 7th Anniversary of the founding of the East China Liberation Area. The stamp features a sepia or brown-toned monochromatic intaglio print on off-white, slightly aged paper. The central design depicts a dynamic scene of industrial and military progress, including soldiers, a steam locomotive on the right, and rugged terrain. The design is framed by ornate borders with traditional Chinese characters and numerical denominations ('5.00') in the bottom corners. The date '1942-1949' is clearly inscribed in a banner at the bottom center. The perforation of the stamp appears irregular and rough, which is characteristic of regional issues produced during the transitional Chinese Civil War period. A dark, possibly black, ink cancellation or overprint mark is visible near the top center of the design. The overall condition shows signs of age-related toning and minor edge wear. The craftsmanship reflects the functional, urgent production quality of revolutionary-era philatelic materials, valuing propaganda and utility over high-precision finishing.