Shows for - Stamp Insider Online

The Story Behind the Stamp by Daniel A. Piazza
U.S. 2005 Lunar New Year Double Sided Pane of 24
In 1988, the Organization of Chinese Americans
began lobbying the USPS to promote
their cultural heritage. Clarence Lee was
commissioned to design the 1992 Chinese
New Year stamp (Scott 2720). His cut-paper
rooster and Chinese calligraphy on a red
background was popular not only here, but
also in China where 2 million were reportedly
sold. The USPS decided to continue the series,
and Lee created a stamp featuring a different
animal of the Chinese zodiac for the next 11
years, culminating with the 37-cent Year of
the Monkey (Scott 3832) in 2004. USPS planned to end the series in 2005 with a miniature
sheet of all 12 stamps redenominated with the first-class rate, 37 cents.
Intending it as an honor for Lee, the USPS was surprised when some Chinese were horrified.
The problem: 12 × 37 cents = $4.44, and many Chinese have an almost pathological
fear of the number four, unlucky because when spoken in Cantonese it sounds like the word
for death. The fear is apparently deadly for some: a study in the December 22, 2001 issue of
the British Medical Journal suggested that Chinese patients were 13 percent more likely to
die of a heart attack on the fourth of the month. When the number must be written, it is
often enclosed in a circle to isolate its harmful powers. Tetraphobia is widespread in Asia.
Japan’s All Nippon Airways has no seats or rows numbered four on any of its aircraft. USPS
redesigned the sheet as a double-sided pane of 24 (Scott 3895) — the first issue of its kind;
all previous double-sided panes were sold in booklet form only. The new face value, $8.88,
was much more acceptable; the Chinese word for eight sounds similar to that for prosperity,
so it is considered lucky.
The panes were released
January 6, 2005 in Honolulu.
The set was reissued this year
as a sheet of 12 reflecting the
new 39-cent rate.
Sources: Jay Bigalke, “New
39¢ New Year Stamps”, in
Linn’s Stamp News, December
5, 2005, and Vicki Viotti,
“Chinese New Year stamps
to be celebrated” in the Honolulu
Advertiser, December
12, 2004.
Douglas Weisz U.S. Covers
FDCs, Naval, Flights, Events,
Postal History, and Stationery
P.O. Box 1458
McMurray, PA 15317-4458
773-914-4332
E-mail:
weiszcovers@adelphia.net
September / October 2006 33