People's Republic of China 1952 International Workers' Day Commemorative Postage Stamp (800 Yuan)

This is a red and white commemorative postage stamp issued by the People's Republic of China in 1952 to celebrate International Workers' Day (May Day). The stamp features a prominent central graphic of a hammer and sickle superimposed over a large numeral '1', symbolizing May 1st, surrounded by a radiant sunburst effect. The text at the top reads '一九五二 國際勞動節' (1952 International Labour Day). At the bottom, '中國人民郵政' (China People's Post) is printed next to the denomination of '800 圓' (800 Yuan). The stamp has visible perforations on all four sides, which appear somewhat irregular and rough, suggesting a vintage production quality or manual separation. The paper exhibits a fibrous texture with slight yellowing due to age. Condition-wise, the stamp shows minor wear on the edges, and the ink application is typical of early PRC typography, showing slight variations in saturation. Underneath the main border, technical serial numbers (纪15.3-1 and (75)) are visible, which identify its place within the official philatelic series released during this period of the early Communist era.

I have examined the digital representation of the 1952 International Workers' Day (800 Yuan) commemorative stamp, identifying it as part of the 'Ji 15' series (Set 15, Stamp 3). This specific issue represents a critical period in early PRC philately. Based on visual inspection, the stamp appears to be in 'Fine' to 'Very Fine' used or unused-hinged condition. The perforations show characteristic 1950s irregularity, and the red pigment displays the expected matte density of the era. The fibrous texture and slight oxidation of the paper are consistent with genuine survivors from this period. Market demand for early PRC commemoratives remains strong, particularly in the domestic Chinese market; however, the 800 Yuan denomination is the most common of the three-stamp set, which limits its individual value. Comparables for single copies in this condition typically range from $60 to $100, whereas a complete set of three would command a premium. Factors impacting value include the centering—which appears slightly shifted to the left—and the integrity of the gum on the reverse, which cannot be seen here. Authenticity cannot be definitively confirmed from an image alone as high-quality reprints (official and unofficial) exist. A full authentication would require a physical inspection to verify the paper thickness, watermark-less structure, and the presence of any expertizing marks or 'hinge' remnants. I recommend a forensic microscopic exam of the ink's 'bite' into the paper to rule out modern digital reproductions.