Germaine Richier Europa The Griffu 340 Strasbourg stamp sheetlet

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Visual and Technical Description

This CEF philatelic sheet honors artist Germaine Richier, a major figure in modern sculpture, through her work "Le Griffu" (The Clawed One). The sheet features a photographic reproduction of the sculpture, showing a stylized human silhouette, stretched in a dynamic and expressive posture. The central image is printed in black and white, highlighting the angular forms and raw texture of the original model. Beside it, a franked stamp, with a face value of 3.40 francs, depicts the same work, accompanied by a "Céramique Contemporain – Europa – Strasbourg" cancellation.

The sheet features a sober border, with an explanatory text detailing Germaine Richier's biography and the artistic context of the work. The text, printed in black on a white background, offers excellent readability and highlights the artist's importance in 20th-century sculpture. The layout, typical of CEF editions, gives the whole a commemorative and didactic aspect.

On the left side, the CEF catalog reference (N° 1158) can be seen, as well as the edition and limited print run information. The sheet bears the number 540, visible at the bottom left. A CEF vignette and the commemorative stamp "EUROPA 87 STRASBOURG" attest to the authenticity and philatelic nature of this piece.

The entire piece is in good visual condition on the presented side. No major defects, stains, or apparent folds are visible on the exposed part. The edges appear clean, the surface is pristine, and the print remains vibrant and contrasted. The careful presentation of this sheet makes it a choice item for collectors of thematic philately and modern art.

The sheet thus combines artistic reproduction, a commemorative stamp, and biographical text to offer an educational and aesthetic medium, at the crossroads of philately and art history.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side is clean, with no notable defects.

Did you know? Germaine Richier (1904-1959) is recognized as one of the rare French sculptors to have achieved international renown in the 20th century. Her work "Le Griffu," created in 1952, marks an important stage in sculptural expressionism, exploring the boundary between human and animal, vegetal and mineral. This sheet also commemorates the prize she received at the Sao Paulo Sculpture Biennial in 1952.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: philatelic sheet, CEF, Germaine Richier, Europa stamp, Le Griffu, modern sculpture, Europa Strasbourg, French philately, contemporary art, artist biography, philatelic cancellation, French stamp sheet