THE first Rare China Stamps Show was held in Qingdao on Oct. 16, attracting thousands of people eager to see a rare stamp called “China Red.”

    During the show, there were lectures on stamp collecting, stamp exhibitions and activities inviting government organizations, enterprises, communities, military camps and schools to promote stamp collecting.

    The stamps, including several rarely seen, were worth more than 100 million yuan (US$15 million) and were on exhibition for only one day because of security concerns.

    Long lines of visitors swarmed into the museum to see the rare stamps, including the “China Red,” the rarest stamp in China.

    Visitors were also able to see the “Big Dragon,” the first stamp introduced in the country, and many varieties of stamps and postcards representing different historical stages from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

    Activities related to stamp collecting will continue in Qingdao until the end of the year. (Jane Lai)