China 1878-1883 Large Dragons, Thin Paper, 5 candarins

China · 1882 · 5 candarins

This stamp is part of China's first official postage stamp series, known as the 'Large Dragons'. The design features a prominent dragon, a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, set against a background of clouds and water. The denomination, '5 CANDARINS', is inscribed in English at the bottom, with Chinese characters on the sides.

Issued by the Qing Dynasty, the Large Dragons series marked the establishment of a modern postal system in China, replacing the traditional courier services. These stamps were initially intended for official mail but were soon made available for public use.