CEF André Masson The Pythia illustrated stamp philately France sheet

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This illustrated philatelic sheet, from the CEF catalog, honors André Masson and his work "La Pythie". The visible side presents a meticulous composition: at the top left, the artist's name and the title of the work appear in bold. A detailed biographical text occupies the left side, tracing Masson's artistic journey, his participation in the surrealist movement, and his major influences.

To the right of the text, a large illustration combines a portrait of André Masson and graphic elements evoking the artistic universe of "La Pythie". The artist's face, rendered in gray tones, stands out against an ocher and brown background adorned with feather motifs and organic shapes, typical of the surrealist style.

At the bottom right, a 5.00 franc postage stamp is integrated into the sheet. This stamp depicts a colorful scene reminiscent of the codes of the work "La Pythie", with the mention "ANDRÉ MASSON - LA PYTHIE" and the artist's signature. A commemorative postmark "ANDRÉ MASSON - LA PYTHIE PARIS 9 OCT. 1988" is affixed around the stamp, attesting to the sheet's issue date.

On the left border, several printed mentions are visible: "N° 746 du catalogue CEF", "MODÈLE DÉPOSÉ CEF", "IMPRIMÉ EN FRANCE ET ÉMIS PAR LE RÉSEAU COMMERCIAL", as well as a limited edition number "5595". Two perforations are visible on the edge, allowing for filing in a philatelic album.

The sheet has a flat, clean, and well-preserved appearance on the visible side. No major defects, stains, or marked creases are observable in this area. The overall presentation is professional, ideal for display in a philatelic album or showcase.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side is in very good apparent condition, without notable defects.

Did you know? André Masson was one of the major figures of the surrealist movement in France. He participated in the development of automatic writing and influenced many 20th-century artists. His work "La Pythie" is emblematic of the encounter between mythology and modern art, and the stamp dedicated to him was issued in 1988 to celebrate his contribution to French artistic culture.

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