Ancient Chinese Painting Peacocks Postage Stamps Pictorial Book

Peacock lovers and lovers of beautiful things will be interested in a magnificent book containing actual mint quality Peacock postage stamps that were inspired by an ancient Chinese painting of two peacocks in a garden … published by The Directorate General of Posts, Republic of China. The painting was created in 1758 by an Italian Jesuit missionary who lived in China from the age of 27. Giuseppe Castiglione served in the royal court of Emperor Ch’ien-lung for half a century, and adopted the name of Lang Shih-ning. The book pictures his peacock hanging scroll in full color, along with a complete set of 1991 stamps: First Day Cover, a mint pair of stamps, and a souvenir sheet. The book also pictures paintings by Castiglione featuring different breeds of dogs and horses.