1950 People's Republic of China Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tian'anmen) 1600 Yuan Stamp

This is a vintage Chinese postage stamp from the 'Tian'anmen' definitive series, first issued by the People's Republic of China circa 1950. The stamp features a central monochromatic olive-brown or dark sepia engraving of the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing, complete with the portrait of Mao Zedong on the facade and the Huabiao ceremonial column to the left. The denomination '1600' is clearly printed in the bottom-left corner with the currency character, and the top-right features Chinese characters for the value. The bottom-right contains the text 'China People's Post'. This specimen exhibits rough perforations along all four edges, typical of mid-century printing technology in the region. The paper appears to be an off-white or cream tint with a textured surface consistent with aged pulp paper. Condition analysis reveals visible foxing and toning across the surface, particularly in the lower margin and perforation teeth, suggesting oxidation and a lack of acid-free storage. There is no visible cancellation mark, suggesting it is unused, though the centering is moderately shifted toward the top-right. The engraving shows fine detail in the roof tiling and stonework, indicative of the intaglio printing method used during this era of Chinese philately.