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.