It’s going to be another good year for Taiwan’s 2023 stamps! Why? Well, first off, the stamps are so fun to explore, but mostly because I spent some time over the past few months organising my notes on Taiwan. Hopefully, this will result in better details for the 2023 program. 

Taiwan’s post office, Chunghwa Post, picks up a number of themes from previous years, including last year’s epic Twenty Four Solar Terms and the 2021 Alpine Plants. Also not to be missed is the Modern Taiwanese Composers, another continuation from 2022. I will be adding more details to the composers later in the month by the way. I’m still parsing the information, so look for it later. 

I wish I could find more information about the artists and designers for you, but I’m often unsure whether I have to correct person. I’ve written previously that translations are tricky and I stumble around a bit. And this is a shame because I’m struck by what I call the artists and designers inspired beauty when it comes to both topics and design. Nowhere is  this more evident than 2 sets I hope return, either this year or next. 2022’s Taiwan Folk Beliefs and Classical Poetry  ticked the proverbial boxes on many levels.

First, they offered the  opportunity to explore deeply rooted stories from Taiwan’s cultural history. And that is one of the great beauties of philately. If you are willing to listen, they have wonderful stories to tell us. I have to admit, I was bowled over by the Folk Beliefs issue and spent quite a bit of time reading about the tales.

Ke Hongtu 柯鴻圖 did a great job on this set. 

The Classic Poetry appeared in both 2022 (top 4 stamps) and 2021 (bottom 4) .  Both sets were created by Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd | 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司 using art by Shen Zhen | 沈禎. 

It’s not just the art that makes the stamps so interesting It’s the layout and calligraphy that tell a continuous story over two years. The stamps are gentle “slices of life” portraits.

That being said, this year, I’m trying to improve details about the listed artists and designers, and I’ll be going back through the previous 2 years in an attempt to standardise the information. I’ll also be tagging earlier stamps with details about whether they were part of a series and thematic information. It’ll take time, but will be worth the effort. 

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January

Inauguration of Citizen Justices Legal Reform
Theme: history

1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, philatelic card, commemorative card
lithography

Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司 Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd

Release date: January 3, 2023 | year 112

Lee Tung-hui (1923-2020), President, Birth Centenary
Theme: history | people

1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, 2 cancels, philatelic card, postcard 
lithography

As the president of Taiwan from 1988 to 2000, his efforts to promote Taiwan’s democratisation earned him the nickname, ‘Taiwan’s Father of Democracy’. But what made Lee famous was how he revamped the dynamics of the trilateral relationship between the United States, Taiwan and China. Lee Tung-hui’s leadership legacy | East Asia Forum

Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司  Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd 

Release date: January 13, 2023 | year 112

February

Twenty Four Solar Terms – Spring
3rd in series: Forbidden City Ancient Painting|
Theme: art | history

6 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, philatelic card, 6 pre-stamped postcards, stamp guard card  
lithography

I’m not sure the phrase “stamp guard card” is the correct translation. The original reads 故宮古畫郵票－二十四節氣（春）套票護票卡. So if you have a better translation, I’d appreciate the help.

This is a continuation of the a series featuring paintings held by the National Palace Museum (npm.gov.tw)

“Mo Miao Zhulin” is a huge album collection of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, a complete set of 6 volumes, numbered by the local branch, and the 8 solar terms map painted by Zhang Ruoyi, its way of interpreting the solar terms is based on landscape patterns, and there are ancient styles to express the local climate, or a little embellishment of the customs activities, animal and plant ecology in nature, presenting the changes of different solar terms. The Forbidden City Ancient Painting Stamp – 24 Solar Terms (Spring) will be issued soon (yahoo.com)

Designer: 查爾特設計廣告有限公司 Chart Design Advertising Co., Ltd
查爾特設計 | CHART DESIGN | 品牌識別規劃設計 | 包裝設計

Release date: February 3, 2023 | year 112

March 

Phonetic Symbols
1st in new series

10 stamps, sheet of 20, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card 
lithography 

This will be a 4 part series aimed at promoting a sense of fun in learning. Each stamp will showcase a special Taiwanese feature

Designer: 歐普廣告設計股份有限公司 OPPLE Advertising Design Co., Ltd 
Taiwan OPPLE Design. Shanghai Opu Design “Works” (upcreate.com.tw)
Previous designs by OPPLE include 2008 Mikado Pheasant (Syrmaticus mikado) and 2011 Celebration Fireworks,

Release date: March 20, 2023 | year 112

April

Modern Composers of Taiwan
2nd in series
Theme: people 

4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card  
lithography

This set picks up from 2022 

• Chen Sizhi 陳泗治  (1911-1992)   Chen Sizhi | Taiwan Music Hall (openmuseum.tw)
• Lu Quansheng 呂泉生(1916-2006)   Lv Quansheng | Taiwan Music Hall (openmuseum.tw)
• Guo Zhiyuan 郭芝苑 (1921－2013)   Guo Zhiyuan | Taiwan Music Hall (openmuseum.tw)
• Ma Shuilong 馬水龍  (1939-2015) Ma Shuilong | Taiwan Music Hall (openmuseum.tw)

Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司  Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd 

Release date: April 20, 2023 | year 112

Fruit Stamps
definitive

1 stamp

Release date: April 20, 2023 | year 112

May

2023 New Zealand 38th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Commemorative Envelope

1 cover, cancel

Release date: May 4, 2023

Twenty Four Solar Terms – Summer  
4rd in series: Forbidden City Ancient Painting
Theme: art | history

6 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card, postcards  
lithography

This is a continuation of the a series featuring paintings held by the National Palace Museum (npm.gov.tw)

The ancient Chinese divided the sun’s annual circular motion into 24 segments. Each segment was called a specific ‘Solar Term’. The element of Twenty-Four Solar Terms originated in the Yellow River reaches of China. The criteria for its formulation were developed through the observation of changes of seasons, astronomy and other natural phenomena in this region and has been progressively applied nationwide. It starts from the Beginning of Spring and ends with the Greater Cold, moving in cycles.  The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun’s annual motion – intangible heritage – Culture Sector – UNESCO

Designer: 查爾特設計廣告有限公司 Chart Design Advertising Co., Ltd 
This translates as both Chart and Charter Design, depending on which translator I use. 

Release date: May 3, 2023  | year 112

June

Alpine Plant Stamps 
2nd in series
theme: flora

4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card
lithography

• Veronica morrisonicola –  Veronica morrisonicola · iNaturalist
• Dianthus pygmaeus – Observations · iNaturalist
• Anaphalis nepalansis – Anaphalis nepalensis (Spreng.) Hand.-Mazz. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science
• Nemosenecio formosanus – Nemosenecio formosanus (Kitam.) B.Nord. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science

Designer: 徐偉 Xu Wei 

Release date: June 6, 2023 | year 112

July

Leisure Activities Stamps
1st in new series

6 stamps, sheets of 18, FDC, cancel, philatelic card

Designer: 曾凱智 Zeng Kaizhi

Release date: July 7, 2023 | year 112

Taipei 2023 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition   
Series: stamp exhibitions
Theme: tourism

4 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card  
lithographic

• 和平島豆腐岩(面值6元) | Heping Island Tofu Rock (face value 6 yuan)
• 武陵農場銀杏(面值8元) | Wuling Gingko Farm  (face value 8 yuan)
• 阿里山茶園(面值9元) | Alishan Tea Garden (face value 9 yuan)
• 三仙台晨曦(面值10元) | Sanxiantai Dawn (face value 10 yuan)

The souvenir sheet uses tea scented inks.  The press release doesn’t say which tea aroma  will be detectable. 

The 39th International Asian Stamp Exhibition  takes place between August 11 to 15, 2023
Taipei 2023 Asian International Stamp Exhibition (post.gov.tw)

The theme is Treasure Island Style Day.

This  year’s  exhibition  is  organised by Chunghwa Post at the Taipei World Trade Centre, Hall 1. An estimated quarter million people are expected to attend.  

Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司  Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd 

Release date: July 11, 2023 | year 112

Taipei 2023 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Stamps – Art Writing Treasure Island Love 
Series: stamp exhibitions
Theme: literature 

2 stamps, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card  
Lithographic overprinting engraving gravure

Theme: Timeless Art and Literature Day. 

Driving Over Fangliao by Yu Guangzhong  | Falling Peanuts by Xu Dishan

Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司  Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd 

Release date: August 8-11, 2023 | year 112 (I might have the days wrong. I’ll correct if I am)

Taipei 2023 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Stamp Sheetlet – Colorful Porcelain Exhibition Style
Series: stamp exhibitions
Theme: porcelain | antiquities 

2 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card  
lithograph on illuminated paper

Theme: Classical Treasures Day

• 清 乾隆 洋彩開光花鳥紋雙連瓶 Qing Dynasty Qianlong consecrated yangcai flower and bird pattern on two bottles
• 清 乾隆 霽青描金游魚轉心瓶 Qing Dynasty Qianlong Jiqing showing golden Fish swimming on the vase

Designer: Zeng Kaizhi 曾凱智

Release date: August 8-11, 2023 | year 112 (I might have the days wrong. I’ll correct if I am)

Commemorative stamps of the 2023th Asian International Stamp Exhibition 39 in Taipei – Bai Di Yao Classic
Series: stamp exhibitions
Theme: art | antiquities

2 stamps,FDCs, cancel, philatelic card  
lithograph on illuminated paper

Theme: Classic Philatelic Day

Artist: Yu Shengshan 作者余省善 
Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司  Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd 

Release date: August 8-11, 2023 | year 112 (I might have the days wrong. I’ll correct if I am)

Commemorative stamps of the 2023th Asian International Stamp Exhibition 39 in Taipei – SANRIO CHARACTERS
Series: stamp exhibitions
Theme: art | cartoons

10 stamps on 2 souvenir sheets, FDCs, cancel, philatelic card  
lithograph on illuminated paper

Theme: Dancing Youth Day

Art: Sanrio Co., Ltd 

Release date: August 8-11, 2023 | year 112 (I might have the days wrong. I’ll correct if I am)

Purple Spotted Butterfly

1 stamp, FDC, postcard

Designer: 徐偉  Xu Wei

Release date: August 11, 2023

Taipei 2023 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Stamps – Timeless Art and Literature Day

2 stamps, sheets of 18
lithograph with intaglio

特以余光中 / Yu Guangzhong’s “Car Passing Fangliao”

 及許地山  / Xu Dishan’s  “Peanuts”

Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司  Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd 

Release date: August 12, 2023

Taipei 2023 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Stamps – Bai Di Yao Classic 百蝶耀經典

2 stamps, souvenir sheet of 10
lithography

Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司  Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd 

Release date: August 12, 2023

September

Changhua County 300th Anniversary  

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, booklet cover
lithograph

BDF070F2-286B-4E2D-B8C0-9D33A64B6D09.pdf (post.gov.tw)

Designer: Natural Light Design Ltd 自然光設計有限公司

Release date: September 23,2023

October

Treasure Island Style Stamp – Kinmen County

4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20
lithography

Designer: Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd | 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司

Release date: October 11, 2023

Phonetic Symbols Stamps (Volume 2)

10 stamps, sheets of 20
lithography

Designers: OPPLE Advertising Design Co., Ltd 歐普廣告設計股份有限公司

Release date: November 11, 2023

December

New Year’s Stamps  Auspicious Dragon Presents the New Year

2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 sheets of 20
lithography

Designer: Zeng Kaizhi 曾凱智

Release date: December 12, 2023

Human Rights Stamps

4 stamps
lithography

Designer: Daguan Vision Consultants Co., Ltd | 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司

Release date: December 12, 2023