New edition: The Dream of the Red Chamber theme stamps

The miniature sheet of the second set of stamps based on The Dream of the Red Chamber, released  in Nanjing, June 18, 2016. [Photo/IC]

The second set of stamps based on The Dream of the Red Chamber, the classic Chinese literature series, was released in the Oriental Metropolitan Museum in Nanjing on Saturday.

The new edition includes four stamps and one miniature sheet, which are all inspired by the most well-known stories from chapters 13 to 33.

The stamps' designer is Xiao Yutian, senior vice chairman of the China Hue Art Association.

"Classic literature theme stamps are very popular, both as collections or investment productions," said Shan Hong, director of the Nanjing Municipal Postal Administration.

According to Shan, the value of The Dream of the Red Chamber stamps released in 1981 grew nearly 1000-fold in the past 35 years.

Shan says The Dream of the Red Chamber has always been a popular theme for stamp designs. The Chinese mainland has released the stamps three times. The first editions was in 1981, the first set based on the Chinese classic literature series was released in 2014, and this year, is the second set.

The series aims to present vivid descriptions from the book in colorful scenes on the stamps.