Taiwan 2015 - Spring Brocade

The Masterpiece: Spring Brocade by Giuseppe Castiglione

The central artwork on this sheet is "Spring Brocade" (錦春圖 - Jǐn Chūn Tú), painted by the famed Italian Jesuit missionary Giuseppe Castiglione (known in China by his court name, Lang Shining / 郎世寧).

Serving under three Qing dynasty emperors, Castiglione pioneered a unique painting style that combined Western perspective and chiaroscuro with traditional Chinese ink-and-wash brushwork. Spring Brocade highlights this mastery:

• A striking golden pheasant with brilliant crimson and gold plumage is perched atop a moss-covered garden rock.

• Adjacent to it sits a gentle dove, balanced against delicate white spring blossoms and lush foliage.

• In Chinese symbolism, the golden pheasant represents noble character and auspicious fortune, while spring blossoms signify renewal.

A Tactile Medium: Printed on Silk

What makes this issue a standout in any collection is its physical production. Rather than traditional stamp paper, Chunghwa Post produced this sheet using silk cloth laminate.

When viewed closely, the subtle woven texture of the silk shines through the print, directly imitating the surface of ancient silk handscrolls. This gives the colors a warm, textured depth that standard paper simply cannot replicate.

Taiwan 2012 - Deep-Sea Creatures in Taiwan

Into the Abyssal Zone: Taiwan’s Glowing Deep-Sea Stamps

Deep-sea biology and philately make a stunning pair in this 2012 "Deep-Sea Creatures" Souvenir Sheet released by Taiwan’s Chunghwa Post.

What makes this souvenir sheet a stand-out piece in any collection is its use of luminescent printing on phosphorescent paper. When exposed to UV light (ultraviolet / blacklight), specific sections of the sheet light up—simulating the natural bioluminescence that these pitch-black ocean dwellers use to hunt, camouflage, and communicate thousands of meters beneath the surface.

The four featured species capture the bizarre diversity of the ocean's bathyal zone:

• Pelican Eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) with its jaw-dropping throat pouch.

• Thorny Hatchetfish (Argyropelecus aculeatus), showcasing its mirror-like sides and belly photophores.

• Shao’s Anglerfish (Bufoceratias shaoi), complete with its bacterial light-lure.

• Giant Oarfish (Regalecus glesne), the ribbon-like giant of the deep.

If you collect thematic stamps featuring marine life, bioluminescence, or unusual printing security inks, this set is a must-see under a UV lamp!

Taiwan 2016 - Fan Painting & Calligraphy Bamboo Souvenir Sheet

Fan Painting & Calligraphy Bamboo Souvenir Sheet

Issued on January 13, 2016, by Chunghwa Post (Taiwan), this striking fan-shaped souvenir sheet is a notable piece of modern material philately. While a standard paper companion sheet was produced at NT$ 25, this NT$ 80 higher-value issue was printed directly onto a micro-thin, flexible natural bamboo sheet—a limited edition release capped at 500,000 copies.

The central die-cut stamp takes the shape of a traditional folding fan and showcases a running-cursive script poem by Ming Dynasty master Wen Zhengming (1470–1559), sourced from the collection of the National Museum of History in Taipei. Printing detailed classical calligraphy on a natural wood substrate pays direct tribute to traditional Asian craftsmanship, where bamboo was frequently used to make fan ribs, slips, and artistic objects.

Taiwan 2023 - 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition (Tea Scent)

Scenic Beauty & Fragrance: Taiwan’s TAIPEI 2023 Exhibition Souvenir Sheet

Issued on August 11, 2023, by Chunghwa Post to commemorate the 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition (TAIPEI 2023), this souvenir sheet combines stunning natural landscapes with a unique sensory detail.

The Scenery The set of four se-tenant stamps highlights Taiwan's regional charm:

• NT$6: Mossy rock formations at Heping Island, Keelung.

• NT$8: Golden autumn Ginkgo trees at Wuling Farm, Taichung.

• NT$9: Misty Alishan Tea Plantations, Chiayi.

• NT$10: Early morning glow over Sanxiantai, Taitung.

The Scented Detail 

To celebrate Alishan’s world-famous tea culture, Chunghwa Post added an interactive twist. Printed by Joh. Enschedé in the Netherlands, the left margin features a teacup and loose leaves printed with scented ink, giving off a delicate tea fragrance!