Rare mint never hinged (MNH) example of the 1949 70 yuan orange commemorative stamp issued by the East China People's Post, celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (1927–1949). This striking design features a column of advancing PLA troops under a waving red flag, with portraits of Zhu De and Mao Tse-tung dominating the background. The diagonal black overprint "SPECIMEN" marks this as a scarce archival or presentation issue, likely produced in limited quantity for international reference or postal archives. Printed via typography on ungummed paper, as was customary for Liberation Area stamps, this issue captures a defining moment in China’s transition to communist rule, mere months before the founding of the PRC.
Catalogued as Scott 5L77, Michel 82, Yvert 45, SG East China 378, and Yang EC-444, this SPECIMEN overprint version is significantly rarer than the standard edition and is seldom encountered on the open market in such pristine condition. A standout addition to any serious exhibit of Chinese revolutionary postal history.
Condition: Mint Never Hinged (MNH), excellent centering, fresh gumless paper as issued, strong overprint.
Estimate: "$300 – 450"