CEF Leaflet Tautavel Man philately cancelled prehistoric illustration

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This illustrated sheet presents a philatelic issue dedicated to "Tautavel Man". It is a First Day Sheet published by the CEF (Cercle des Émissions de France), easily recognizable by its characteristic presentation and the mention in the margin. The visible side features a cancelled stamp with a face value of 3.40 F, illustrated with a stylized human silhouette against a red sun background. The First Day cancellation bears the mention "Homme de Tautavel" and the date, confirming the philatelic nature of the item.

The central illustration, signed by Marie-Noëlle Goffin, depicts a prehistoric skull surrounded by stylized flames and silhouettes of prehistoric animals (elephants, rhinos), reinforcing the paleontological theme. On the left, a text box details the discovery and scientific importance of Tautavel Man, while the right part offers additional information on the archaeological context and the contemporary fauna of this period.

The sheet is printed on white paper with a black frame, with a neat presentation typical of CEF editions. The inscriptions are clear and legible, and the limited print run number (5596) appears at the bottom left, indicating a limited edition, an appreciated element in the field of thematic philately.

On the left edge, one can see the mention "N° 1020 du catalogue CEF" as well as references relating to La Poste and the CEF, attesting to the authenticity of this First Day Sheet. No other elements are visible on this side.

The graphic composition and printing quality make this sheet an excellent choice for enthusiasts of historical philately and prehistoric themes, combining artistic illustration and documentary interest.

Condition

Used item sold as is. The sheet shows good overall preservation on the visible side, with no apparent defects on the provided image.

Did you know? Tautavel Man, discovered in the Arago cave (Pyrénées-Orientales) in 1971, is one of the oldest human fossils found in France, dated to approximately 450,000 years old. This archaeological site is a global reference for the study of European prehistory.

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Keywords: First Day Sheet, CEF, Tautavel Man stamp, French philately, FDC envelope, prehistoric stamp, First Day cancellation, limited edition philately, prehistoric stamp, Marie-Noëlle Goffin, prehistoric stamp, French FDC