First Day Cover Provence Landings 1969 15th Anniversary Philately
First Day Cover Provence Landings 1969 15th Anniversary Philately
AFW - Antique France Worldwide
Description
This First Day Cover illustrates the 15th anniversary of the French Landing in Provence, a historic event of the Second World War. On the visible side, a colorful commemorative stamp depicts French soldiers landing on a beach, under a blue sky and facing military ships. The stamp bears the inscription "DEBARQUEMENT FRANÇAIS EN PROVENCE" (FRENCH LANDING IN PROVENCE) and the mention "XVe ANNIVERSAIRE" (15th ANNIVERSARY), with the artist's signature "Lhospot" in the bottom right corner.
The official First Day postmark is clearly visible, with the inscription "1944 Débarquement Français en Provence, Rhône, 23 août 1969, 83 Saint-Raphaël". This round postmark surrounds a stylized central design reminiscent of the landing, confirming the authenticity of the First Day issue. The bilingual text "PREMIER JOUR D'ÉMISSION – FIRST DAY COVER" is printed on the bottom right of the visible side of the envelope, reinforcing its philatelic character.
The envelope appears well-maintained, protected by a transparent plastic sleeve in the photo. The visible part shows vibrant colors on the stamp (blue, beige, brown, touches of red and green), with no major apparent defects on the surface. A small white rectangle, glued to the bottom right, bears the handwritten inscription "12F", likely an old rating or exchange value.
The item is typical of First Day philatelic envelopes issued for major historical anniversaries, with a neat presentation and a clear postmark. The illustrated scene, graphic style, and postmark date (1969) suggest production from the late 1960s, consistent with philatelic practices of that period.
Condition
Used item, sold as is. The visible side shows no notable defects (no visible stains, tears, or creases in the photo). The stamp's colors are well-preserved. Plastic protective sleeve visible in the photo.
Did you know? The Provence Landing, also called Operation Dragoon, took place on August 15, 1944, a few weeks after the Normandy Landings. It allowed for the rapid liberation of southern France and has been commemorated by numerous philatelic issues, including this one, issued in 1969 for the 25th anniversary.
AFW Reassurance
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Keywords: first day cover, FDC France, Provence Landing, 1969 commemorative stamp, military philately, Saint-Raphaël postmark, anniversary issue, French First Day Cover, WWII stamp, illustrated envelope, France 1969 stamp, philately cover