China Stamps - 1985, J112, Scott 1989-91 Friends of Chinese People, complete set, MNH, F-VF - (91989)

China Stamps - 1985, J112, Scott 1989-91 Friends of Chinese People, complete set, MNH, F-VF : Background : Agnes Smedley (February 23, 1892 ????? 6 May 1950) was an American journalist and writer best known for her semi-autobiographical novel Daughter of Earth. She was also known for her sympathetic chronicling of the Chinese revolution. In China, Smedley served as a correspondent for the Frankfurter Zeitung and the Manchester Guardian. During the 1930s she applied for membership in the Chinese Communist Party but was rejected due to Party reservations about her discipline and what it viewed as her excessive independence of mind. Smedley was devastated by this rejection but remained passionately devoted to the Chinese communist cause.Strong was born on November 24, 1885 in Friend, Nebraska. Strong travelled in China and other parts of Asia. She became friends with Soong Ching-ling and Zhou Enlai. As always her travels led to books: China's Millions (1928), Red Star in Samarkand (1929). She settled permanently in China until her death in 1970, publishing a "Letter from China." During that time she fostered a close relationship with Zhou Enlai and was on familiar terms with Mao Zedong. She lived in the old Italian Legation which had been converted into flats for the leading "foreign friends". They were allocated on the "bleak basis" of seniority; New Zealand civil servant Gerald Hensley recalled that when he visited Rewi Alley in 1973 Alley was living in the best downstairs front apartment which had been allocated to Strong until she died, at which time Alley moved into it and everyone else moved on one place.Edgar Snow (17 July 1905 in Kansas City, Missouri ????? 15 February 1972 in Geneva) was an American journalist known for his books and articles on Communism in China and the Chinese Communist revolution. He is believed to be the first Western journalist to interview Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong, and is best known for Red Star Over China (1937) an account of the Chinese Communist movement from its foundation until the late 1930s.