1955 People's Republic of China 2f Green Postage Stamp (Military Aviator)

This is a used Chinese postage stamp issued in 1955, part of the 'National Defense' set (Scott #244). The stamp features a monochromatic green intaglio-printed image of a military aviator in characteristic flight gear, including a helmet and goggles. The denomination '2f' is clearly marked in both Arabic numerals and Chinese characters. The stamp is printed on cream-colored paper with traditional perforations along all four edges. A significant feature is the heavy black postmark, which appears to be a dual-circle or boxed cancellation dated '1956' with the location 'PEKING' (the former English romanization for Beijing) partially visible. The condition shows visible wear consistent with postal use, including slightly irregular perforations and minor surface soiling. This stamp represents early Communist-era Chinese philately, focusing on military modernization themes. The engraving quality is sharp, capturing fine details in the pilot's harness and facial features, which is characteristic of the production standards of the Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Factory during this period.