Old tea brick

[Alex86]

Hi everybody. I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me what the characters stamped on this old tea brick mean. I'd love to know how old it is and what kind of tea it is.

http://imgur.com/trTdsE4

[abcdefg]

Alex, I'm not positive about any of this, but here's my best guess.

 

First of all, it's a commemorative tea brick, not intended for drinking. So don't break it up and brew it; results will be disappointing.

 

I think the characters on the right are: 新 寿 记 (in their Traditional form -- the ones I've typed here are Simplified.) Meanings of the three words are roughly: New, Long Life, Memories/Remembrances.

 

The big central character is 大, which means large. I don't recognize the other large character that looks something like an "A" below it.

 

Writing upper left looks like a different language, not Chinese. I could make some blind guesses, but think it best to first give someone else who knows more time to reply.

 

I have no idea as to the age or as to what kind of tea it is. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[roddy]

That's a 泰, not a 寿 - Xintaiji, maybe from the shop mentioned here

[abcdefg]

Yes, Roddy is right. (Not a big surprise.) Way to go, Roddy!