Booklet CEF Sacred Heart Church Audincourt stained-glass window Léger philately Red Cross

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This CEF philatelic sheet highlights the Church of the Sacred Heart in Audincourt, illustrated by a vibrant color reproduction of a Fernand Léger stained-glass window occupying the upper part of the document. The stained-glass window, composed of abstract shapes and black lines segmenting blocks of color (yellow, blue, pink, white, and black), reflects Léger's characteristic aesthetic, a major figure in French modern art. The sheet features a fine border and careful printing on white background paper.

In the lower part, two Red Cross stamps are integrated, each illustrating a detail of the stained-glass window, with the mention "F. Léger" and the face value "1.40 + 0.30". The stamps are canceled with a legible first-day postmark: "December 5, 1981, French Red Cross, Audincourt." The central area includes a descriptive text tracing Fernand Léger's biography and the context of the stained-glass window's creation for the Audincourt church, emphasizing his commitment to art accessible to all.

In the left margin, the sheet bears the mention "CEF" (Certificat d’Expertise Philatélique) and the issue reference "N° 812 of the CEF catalog." The individual number "3626" is printed at the bottom left, attesting to the limited edition. The whole presents a flat finish, typical of commemorative philatelic sheets, with clear printing and no apparent defects on the visible side.

The graphic composition harmoniously combines the reproduction of the stained-glass window, the philatelic elements, and the textual insert, offering both a decorative and documentary object. The vibrant colors and strong contrasts of the stained-glass window give this sheet a strong visual impact, characteristic of Fernand Léger's works.

This sheet highlights the theme of the Red Cross and religious heritage, while valuing modern artistic creation associated with French philately.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side shows no major defects; printing and colors are well preserved.

Did you know? Fernand Léger, famous for his colorful and geometric style, created the stained-glass windows for the Church of the Sacred Heart in Audincourt in the 1950s, marking one of the first examples of the integration of modern art into post-war French religious architecture.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: first day cover, Red Cross stamp, Fernand Léger stained glass, French philately, Audincourt, CEF philately, Sacred Heart church, modern art stamp, FDC France, commemorative sheet, religious stamp, philatelic cover