Liberation Area Stamps Appraisal

1949 East China Liberation Area Postage Stamp (30 Yuan)

This is a philatelic specimen representing the East China Liberation Area postage series from 1949. The stamp is printed in a dark charcoal or olive-black ink on an off-white, slightly aged paper substrate. The design features a dynamic landscape scene with a steam locomotive emerging from the left, a worker or soldier in the foreground holding a staff, and rolling hills in the background. A radiant star is positioned in the upper left corner, emitting rays of light across the sky, a classic motif of the era's political iconography. At the top, the Chinese characters '華東郵政' (East China Post) are inscribed. The bottom contains the numeral '30' on the left, the date '1949' in the center, and the denomination characters '参拾圓' (Thirty Yuan) on the right. Physically, the stamp displays rough, irregular perforations (approx. 11-12 gauge), which is characteristic of regional issues during this transitional period. The centering is poor, shifted significantly to the upper right. The condition shows significant foxing and tanning of the paper, particularly visible on the wide margins. There is noticeable wear to the edges, and the lower right corner appears slightly damaged or folded. No cancel marks are visible, suggesting an unused or 'mint' status, though the paper quality and uneven margins indicate the utilitarian production standards of the late revolutionary period in China.