EUROPA 1973 first day cover, Rouen postmark, French philately stamp

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

First-day cover visible in a plastic sleeve, illustrated and franked with a French EUROPA stamp at a rate of 0.90 F, issued in 1973. The stamp features a colorful graphic design on a dark green background, typical of EUROPA issues from this period, and bears the inscription "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE".

A perfectly legible round postmark indicates "76 ROUEN-GARE", dated September 29, 1973, with the mention "PREMIER JOUR D’ÉMISSION" (FIRST DAY OF ISSUE) around the date. To the left of the stamp, an illustrated postmark shows a philatelic tour route, with the cities of Liverpool, Hanover, Menin, Rouen, Freiburg, Varelo, Sessa, and the inscription "TOURNÉE PHILATÉLIQUE SATELLITES EUROPÉENS 15 septembre - 8 novembre 73 ROUEN-GARE" (EUROPEAN SATELLITES PHILATELIC TOUR September 15 - November 8, 73 ROUEN-GARE).

The envelope is addressed to "SCOTEM, 25 Rue Calmels, 75018 PARIS", with the address printed in violet. The whole is presented in a transparent sleeve, which protects the visible side and preserves the clarity of the inscriptions, stamp, and postmarks. No details of the back or internal contents are visible in the photo.

The envelope paper has a uniform white surface, with no apparent decoration on the front other than the postal elements and the address. The layout is characteristic of commemorative philatelic envelopes, with a thematic illustrated postmark and specific franking for the EUROPA issue.

The stamp is affixed in the upper right corner, well-aligned, and the postmarks are clear and well-centered. No major defects are observable on the visible side. The plastic sleeve gives a glossy appearance to the envelope and provides protection against dust and handling.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The envelope appears in good preserved condition on the visible side, protected by a plastic sleeve. The inscriptions, postmarks, and stamp are clear, with no apparent signs of wear on this side.

Did you know? EUROPA stamps have been issued annually since 1956 by several European countries to symbolize the unity and cooperation of the continent. In 1973, the theme was European satellites, as illustrated by the commemorative postmark on this first-day cover, which traces a philatelic tour through several European cities.

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Keywords: first day cover, FDC, EUROPA stamp 1973, philatelic postmark, France stamp, special issue, French philately, commemorative envelope, Rouen-Gare, European satellites tour, philately cover, French FDC