Even if it was designed by a Japanese architect, Uheiji Nagano, during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan (1895–1945), the building which now houses the Office of the President of the Republic of China has a facade with many traditional European elements (Renaissance, Baroque and neo-Classical features), typical for island's colonial period. Erected between 1912 and 1919 (therefore during the WWI, in which Japan was on the Allied side), the structure, which originally housed the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan, was the tallest building in Taipei during Japanese rule (60m), and reflects the concerns of the Japanese architects to orient the buildings toward the rising sun.
During the WWII, the building suffered heavy bombing from the Allied Powers and was severely damaged (the fire burned for three days). Repaired in 1947 following the original plans, it became the Office of the President in 1950, after the retreat of the ROC central government from mainland China to Taiwan.
The stamp is part of a series of four, released on May 4, 2012, which has as goal to convey glad tidings through auspicious phrases, used in connection with weddings and other celebrations:
• A Match Made in Heaven (NT$3.5)
• One Child after Another (NT$3.5)
• The Hall Is Packed with Wealth and Riches (NT$5)
• A Family Experiences Two Joys (NT$12) - it's on the postcard
References
Presidential Office Building, Taipei – Wikipedia
Beauty of the Presidential Office Building – Office of the President R.O.C official site
Congratulations Postage Stamps, 2012 – Taiwanese Postage Stamps
sender: Jesse / Jesse-peng (postcrossing)
sent from Budai (Taiwan), on 19.06.2012
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