A man holds a bust of Mao Zedong, the former chairman of the Communist Party of China, inside a souvenir shop in Shaoshan, Mao’s birthplace. (Photo : China Daily)
From commemorative stamps and coins to statues and paintings, seasoned collectors and ordinary citizens alike continue to seek Mao memorabilia and other “red articles.”
Miscellaneous items associated with the pioneers of communism in the country and with the founding of the People's Republic of China, branded as “red articles,” continue to gather interests and buyers, reported China Daily.
For one, Mao badges in gold and red receive constant buyers.
One craft shop in Shaoshan, the birthplace of Mao in Xiangtan in Hunan Province, annually earns more than 1 million yuan from the sales of Mao-related items, specifically his statues.
A souvenir shop in the same city enjoys brisk sale of the bronze busts of the revered chairman.
Mao Zedong (1893-1976) was the former chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Mao served as chairman of the CPC’s Central Committee from June 19, 1945 until his death on Sept. 9, 1976.
The government issued commemorative coins in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II (1939 to 1945) and the end of the war.
One buyer, Xue Kaizhong from Zhongshan in Guangdong Province, expected prices of such coins to increase once September hits the calendar.
According to China Daily, Xue was “not surprised” when the collective price of the 6,600 yuan worth of silver and gold commemorative coins he purchased in late August increased just a couple of weeks later. Come middle of September, the coins were worth 9,000 yuan.
Commemorative stamps are likewise sought-after items.
In two hours, all 890 sets of available stamps were purchased from the post office in Zhongshan in Guangdong Province.
"Many people think that only those in the older generation are ‘red article’ fans, but more young people are interested now,” said Ji Yucheng, red collection committee director of the China Association of Collectors, to China Daily.
Ji said that at present, the number of collectors of red articles in the country reaches nearly one million. He said that items that normally command the highest prices are documents and oil paintings.
