CEF stamp sheet Philately The Engraving 1984 2F Versailles stamp illustration Decari

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Illustrated CEF philatelic sheet, dedicated to the theme "Engraving," from the First Day Issue series. On the left side of the sheet, a colorful illustration depicts a woman with curly hair, wearing a yellow dress adorned with green patterns and a necklace, in the process of engraving a wooden plate. The artwork, with an expressive and detailed graphic style, occupies a central place and immediately catches the eye with its vibrant colors, dominated by shades of red, yellow, and flesh.

In the bottom left corner, the sheet features a 2.00 F postage stamp accompanied by a First Day cancellation, made in Versailles on June 8, 1984. The circular postmark surrounds the stylized face of an engraved woman, echoing the main motif of the stamp. The stamp bears the inscription "La Gravure" (Engraving), as well as the face value and the signature of Albert Decaris, a member of the Institute, who designed both the stamp and the illustration for the sheet.

The right side of the sheet contains printed text under the title "LA GRAVURE," tracing the history, techniques, and evolution of engraving in Europe, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The text is clearly legible, printed in black on a white background, and highlights the importance of engraving as a means of artistic expression and printing.

The sheet is inserted into a perforated plastic sleeve, typical of CEF presentations, with a side header mentioning the series number ("N°728 from the CEF catalog"), the limited edition, and official notices. The whole presents a clean and neat appearance, with no visible defects on the exposed side.

The graphic style, typography, and presentation are characteristic of French philatelic sheets published in the 1980s, with a clear layout and great attention paid to showcasing the stamp and the thematic illustration.

Condition

Used item sold as is. The visible side is in very good overall condition, with no stains, creases, or apparent signs of wear. The plastic sleeve is also clean and without visible defects.

Did you know? Albert Decaris (1901-1988) was one of the greatest French engravers of the 20th century. A member of the Institute, he designed more than 500 stamps for the French Post Office, leaving his mark on many First Day sheets published by the CEF.

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Keywords: First Day sheet, La Gravure stamp, CEF philately, Decaris, 1984, French stamp, Versailles issue, FDC France, philatelic sheet, wood engraving, philatelic illustration, Albert Decaris engraving, France postage stamp