CEF 125th anniversary French Red Cross cancelled stamp sheet philately
CEF 125th anniversary French Red Cross cancelled stamp sheet philately
AFW - Antique France Worldwide
Description
This illustrated philatelic sheet, published by the CEF (Connaissance et Étude de la Philatélie), commemorates the 125th anniversary of the Red Cross. The visible side features a graphic composition of stylized red crosses, forming a bouquet held by a bright blue ribbon. The entire piece is printed on a beige to light brown gradient background, framed by a golden line, characteristic of CEF presentations.
At the top of the sheet is the inscription "125e anniversaire de la Croix-Rouge" (125th anniversary of the Red Cross). On the right side, an explanatory text traces the history and mission of the Red Cross, clearly visible in the photo. In the lower right section, there is a French 2.20 franc postage stamp, issued for this anniversary, accompanied by a first-day cancellation "CROIX-ROUGE FRANÇAISE 93 LE BOURGET" and a stylized portrait of Henri Dunant, founder of the Red Cross.
The sheet bears the CEF catalog number 525, mentioned in the upper left margin. The CEF printing and limited edition details are visible on the side strip, specifying a limited edition of 20,300 offset copies and 1,350 silk copies (the precise material is not mentioned in the keywords, so not affirmed here).
The sheet is inserted into a transparent plastic sleeve, typical of CEF philatelic presentations, revealing the individual serial number "7400" in the bottom left corner. No major defects are visible in the image: the sheet appears to be in very good condition, with no apparent folds, stains, or tears on the presented side.
The graphic composition, the presence of the stamp, the cancellation, and the historical text make it a sought-after item for any Red Cross theme or modern French postal history collection. This sheet is a classic example of a CEF presentation, appreciated for the quality of its illustrations and philatelic information.
Condition
Used item, sold as is. Visible side in very good condition. Neat presentation, no apparent defects on the photographed side.
Did you know? The first Red Cross stamp was issued in France in 1914 to support humanitarian work during World War I. The Red Cross, founded in 1863, is the origin of international humanitarian law and the use of the red cross symbol on a white background, recognized worldwide.
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Keywords: first day sheet, Red Cross stamp, CEF philately, 125th anniversary Red Cross, France FDC, special cancellation, Red Cross stamp France, illustrated cover, commemorative issue, Henri Dunant stamp, philatelic cover, French Red Cross