1949 East China Liberation of Nanjing and Shanghai Commemorative Stamp

This is a historical postage stamp from the East China Liberated Area, specifically issued in 1949 to commemorate the liberation of Nanjing and Shanghai. The stamp features a violet-purple monochromatic intaglio-style print on off-white paper. Centrally, it depicts maps of the liberated regions within a curved arched frame. The denomination is indicated as 300 Yuan, with the number '300' visible in the lower right corner and Chinese characters 'San Bai Yuan' on the lower left. The top banner includes Chinese characters reading 'East China' and 'Postage,' with a central arc commemorating the 'Liberation of Nanjing and Shanghai.' The year '1949' is prominently centered at the bottom. Physically, the stamp shows characteristic rough, irregular perforations typical of mid-20th-century regional issues during the Chinese Civil War. There is visible aging with slight yellowing or foxing across the surface. The bottom edge exhibits a significant paper margin, indicating it was likely at the edge of a sheet. Condition-wise, the perforations are uneven, particularly on the left side, though the central graphic remains well-centered and legible. This piece is a significant artifact of the People's Republic of China's early philatelic history, representing the transition of power in major metropolitan centers.