In 1235, the Mongols pioneered one of the world’s first postal services. Over its 800-year history, they employed postal horse stations , which were later extended around the world. Continuing this historic tradition, Mongolia issued its very first postage stamps, known as “Eldev-Ochir,” in 1924, prior to Mongolia’s declaration as an independent state and the introduction of its national currency. (Notably, the stamps do not bear the name “Mongolia” but only the monetary denomination of each). These “Eldev-Ochir” stamps have garnered attention in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide as symbols of freedom and independence. They also serve as evidence of Mongolia’s contribution to the development of postal services in the Asia-Pacific region. When the “Eldev-Ochir” stamp was first put into circulation in Mongolia in 1924, mail correspondence and parcels between Mongolia, China, and Russia increased dramatically. As a result, political, business, and personal postal relations between Russia and China, which have large populations in the Asian region, passed through Mongolia. All seven types in this postage stamp series are exceptionally rare and authentic, featuring “Eldev-Ochir,” a legendary sceptre symbolizing strength and an irresistible force. The vajra (Sanskrit: वज, romanized as vajra meaning bright lightning) is a mythical and ritual weapon symbolizing the properties of diamond (indestructibility) and lightning (invincible power). It is used symbolically in religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism and often represents the spiritual strength and spiritual strength of Asian peoples. Their inscription on the MOWCAP Regional Register in 2024, coincides with the people of Mongolia celebrating the centenary of Mongolia’s First Postage Stamps “Eldev-Ochir” and this year also marks the 150^th anniversary of the founding of the Universal Postal Union, one of the world’s first intergovernmental organisations. These stamps hold historical and cultural significance not only for Mongolia but also for the Asia-Pacific region and the world, representing symbols of independence and contributions to the early 20^th century emergence of global postal integration.

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“The Family Chart of Hereditary Lords of the Khalkha Mongols, the House of Genghis Khan” is a genealogy chart of 980 Genghisids that runs for thirty generations covering almost 700 years of Mongolian history and was compiled around 1832-1862. The chart is in the shape of multiple layers of a circular diagram reminiscent of the sun’s rays written with a brush in black and red ink on a coated canvas measuring 85 by 88 centimetres. The core circle starts with Genghis Khan followed by his youngest son Tolui Noyan, his grandson Kublai Khan, his great-grandson Crown Prince Chinkin, going on to include other emperors and princes of the Yuan dynasty and North Yuan, khans and princes of Khalkha Mongols. The Family Chart is significant because it is dedicated to the members of the famous Golden Clan, who played a significant role in enhancing cross-cultural exchange primarily in Central and East Asia through their cultural and trade-related policies. This document is one of only three remaining, oldest and most well-preserved authentic sources for studying the genealogy of Genghisids, because other related documents were destroyed during the Great Purge of the 1930s.

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Woodblocks for the Tibetan-Mongolian Dictionary of Terms and Definitions, were first created in 1742 by Mongolian Buddhist scholars and translators, but these were lost. A complete set of the woodblocks was recreated in 1924 and were some of the last woodblocks to be created in Mongolia using traditional methods. It is these woodblocks that have been inscribed on the Asia-Pacific Memory of the World Register in 2016.

Woodblocks have been produced in Mongolia since the 10th century. The inscribed woodblocks demonstrate the continuation of this printing practice until the early 20th century. They also illustrate the culture, traditions and technology of printing at a time when European printing methods were starting to be used.

The dictionary has been a source of reference for Mongolian scholars, intellectuals and the general population over many generations. It is recognised for its practical translations and in-depth guidelines. The dictionary contributed to the development of the translation of the Tibetan Buddhist Canons Kanjur and Tanjur into Mongolian. These translations were completed in 1749. The dictionary also includes the theory of translation from Tibetan into Mongolian, and this theory is still useful today. It continues to be an invaluable source for the in-depth study of the Mongolian language and its evolutionary changes over time.

There are 385 woodblocks with dimensions of 54.7х7.4cm. The woodblocks were commissioned by the Institute of Sutra and Script and carved in 1924 at the Agiin Datsan, the Buddhist Monastery of Aga, in Buryatia. The government of Mongolia has given the woodblocks the status of the “Most Valuable Documentary Heritage of Mongolia.

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