CEF Council of Europe 1949-1999 philatelic souvenir sheet cancelled Strasbourg

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This commemorative philatelic sheet, part of the CEF series, honors the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe (1949-1999). On the visible side, it features a carefully crafted montage consisting of a color photograph showing several European flags flying in front of the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg. The main image is framed, accompanied by an illustrated stamp at the bottom left, bearing the inscription "Conseil de l’Europe 1949-1999" and a specific "67 Strasbourg" postmark.

The sheet is printed on smooth-finish white paper, with a brown frame that enhances the composition. The text on the right traces the history and role of the Council of Europe, mentioning its creation date (May 5, 1949), its mission for peace and the protection of human rights, as well as significant elements of its institutional evolution.

The left side of the sheet contains technical information, including the reference "N° 1428 bis du catalogue CEF," the mention "Limited edition," and the individual number "808" printed at the bottom. The sheet also features the CEF logo and information about the edition.

The stamp, in blue, red, and yellow colors, displays a stylized map of Europe and golden stars, recalling European symbolism. The postmark is specially made for the event, making it a sought-after item in thematic philately, particularly on the Europe/Council of Europe theme.

The visible side shows no apparent major defects; the surface appears flat and clean, with no noticeable folds or stains on the photographed part. The whole is protected by a transparent plastic sleeve, typical of CEF presentations.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side is in good overall condition, with no notable defects visible in the photo.

Did you know? The Council of Europe, founded in 1949, is the oldest intergovernmental European organization. It is the origin of the European Convention on Human Rights, signed in 1950 and ratified by most member states, guaranteeing the protection of fundamental rights on the continent.

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Keywords: CEF sheet, Council of Europe stamp, Strasbourg philately, special postmark, Europe stamp sheet, commemorative issue, French philately, 1949-1999, Europe thematic stamp, canceled sheet, CEF Philately, Council of Europe stamp