Hunan Stamps
Hunan is a landlocked province situated in South Central China, historically significant within the vast Chinese postal network. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to the centralized administration of the Republic of China and later the People's Republic of China, with stamps primarily denominated in Chinese Yuan and featuring Chinese characters.
- Issued stamps
- 1949–1949
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- CNY
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- China (Republic)
About Hunan stamps
While never a separate colonial entity, Hunan experienced administrative shifts during periods of warlordism and civil conflict, which occasionally led to localized surcharges or provisional issues reflecting regional instability before full integration into the national postal system. The language consistently featured on its official postal stationery is Mandarin Chinese.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify Hunan stamps
- Look for Chinese characters indicating 'Hunan' (湖南) or other regional identifiers.
- Examine for surcharges or overprints, which are characteristic of provisional issues from this period.
- Note the denomination, typically in Chinese Yuan (圓 or 元), and the design style which often reflects the contemporary national issues of China.
Popular series
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Hunan Provisional Issues
1949
Stamps issued during the transitional period of civil conflict, often surcharged or overprinted, reflecting local administrative control before the full establishment of the People's Republic of China's postal system.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$1,000+
The value of Hunan provisional issues from 1949 varies significantly based on rarity, condition, specific surcharge, and historical significance. Stamps with clear overprints and good centering tend to fetch higher prices. Forgeries are known, so expertization is recommended for high-value items.
Catalogs. Hunan stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Hunan stamps
Hunan stamps refer to postal issues from the Hunan province in South Central China, specifically provisional or localized issues that appeared during periods of administrative transition, particularly around 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. These are distinct from the regular national issues of China, though they often share design elements.
The value of Hunan stamps can range from a few dollars for common provisional issues to several hundred or even thousands of dollars for rare surcharges, errors, or historically significant items. Factors like condition, specific overprint, and scarcity play a crucial role. Consult a philatelic catalog or an expert for accurate valuation.
Hunan stamps can be identified by their Chinese characters, often including '湖南' (Hunan), and the presence of surcharges or overprints that distinguish them from national issues. Designs typically reflect the style of contemporary Chinese stamps. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Hunan provisional stamps are typically listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott (under China - Local Issues or Provisional Issues), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information including issue dates, denominations, and estimated values.
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