Taiwan Taipei 1964 New Year Postcard First Day Issue Han#303 ROC Republic China

Item Specifics

Country

Taiwan (Formosa)

Catalog Number

303

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Cover (Postal History)

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Grade: Ungraded
A philatelic postal stationery card, Han #303, issued by the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the First Day of Issue of a new series. The card was not mailed and remains unaddressed. The front features a pre-printed 0.40 denomination stamp for the upcoming year (1965), a red printed cachet of a lantern, and a moral slogan along the bottom margin. The reverse side of the card features an illustration of two magpies on a plum blossom branch, a traditional motif titled "Joy on the Eyebrows." It includes a pre-printed New Year greeting. Translation The combined text from the postal card translates as follows: "Republic of China Postal Service Postcard. The stamp area is identified as 'Republic of China Postage Stamp' and is inscribed 'Year 54 of the Republic of China' (1965) and 'Kinmen Juguang'. A note states 'Postage stamp floral pattern invalid if cut off'. The red lantern cachet contains the text 'Good News/Gospel of the New Year'. A moral slogan at the bottom reads: 'Keep promises and be trustworthy, have self-confidence and trust in others.' The greeting on the reverse side reads: 'Happy New Year.' The artwork is titled 'Xi Shang Mei Shao' (Joy on the Eyebrows), a traditional idiom for great happiness. The card closes with the formal 'With a bow'." Postmark & Historical Context Postmark: The card bears a First Day of Issue cancellation from TAIPEI, TAIWAN, CHINA, dated December 1, 1964 (Tuesday), with a time of 11 AM. Philatelic Note: The postmark is dated December 1, 1964 (Minguo 53), while the pre-printed stamp is inscribed "中華民國五十四年" (Year 54 of the Republic, or 1965). This indicates the card was part of the series for the upcoming year but was issued in advance, a feature of interest to collectors. Historical Context for December 1, 1964: This card was issued during the martial law period in Taiwan under the Kuomintang (KMT) government. The slogan reflects a continued emphasis on public morality. The reverse illustration, "喜上眉梢" (xǐ shàng méi shāo), is a classic visual pun, as the word for magpie (喜鵲, xǐquè) sounds like the word for joy (喜, xǐ), and the word for plum blossom (梅, méi) is a homophone for eyebrows (眉, méi). The image thus conveys a sophisticated wish for radiant joy in the coming year.

Seller Information

Seller

2wayrus (787)

Registered Since

03/05/2019

Feedback

99.5%

Store

2colllect

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Item Location

Florida, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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