CEF Sheet René Magritte The Return illustrated stamp postmark 3604 philately

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This illustrated philatelic sheet honors the artist René Magritte and his work "Le retour". The visible side presents a meticulous composition with, on the left, a colorful artistic reproduction evoking Magritte's surrealist world: a man in a suit and bowler hat, typical of the painter's iconography, surrounded by cloudy motifs and stylized architecture. The illustration occupies a large part of the surface, accompanied by the handwritten inscription "à Magritte".

To the right of the sheet is a dark blue stamp, illustrated with a bird crossing a starry sky, a direct reference to Magritte's 1940 work "Le retour". The stamp bears the inscription "MAGRITTE LA FRANCE À RENÉ MAGRITTE" and a face value (not explicitly legible in the photo). Right next to it, a special round cancellation, legible as "MAGRITTE PARIS", completes the presentation, highlighting the philatelic authenticity of this first day sheet.

The sheet is inserted into a protective plastic sleeve for optimal preservation. In the bottom left, the number "3604" is printed, indicating a limited edition. On the side strip, several technical details are visible, specifying the edition: "Impression Héliogravure", "CEF", and catalog references (N° 1373, N° 108). The whole offers an elegant rendering, typical of French philatelic commemorative sheets.

The text printed at the bottom of the sheet traces René Magritte's biography, his artistic journey, and the genesis of the work "Le retour", explaining the symbolism of the bird and the starry sky. The whole highlights Magritte's surrealist approach and visual poetry, while contextualizing the stamp's issuance.

This sheet features a horizontal layout, with a black frame and meticulous typography. The overall condition observed is very good: no visible wear, folds, or stains on the exposed side. The legibility of the texts, illustrations, and cancellations is excellent, offering a philatelic item ready for display or preservation.

Condition

Used item sold as is. Visible side in very good condition, with no apparent defects.

Did you know? René Magritte, a major figure in Belgian surrealism, created "Le retour" in 1940, a symbolic work where the bird and starry sky convey the strangeness and poetry of his universe. CEF (Courrier d'Entreprise à la Française) sheets regularly commemorate major artists or events, with limited editions and special cancellations sought after for their print quality and documentary value.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping by a professional seller. The item is handled with care to ensure secure delivery.

Keywords: philatelic sheet, René Magritte stamp, CEF, first day cancellation, Le retour, surrealism, philatelic envelope, limited edition, stamp sheet, French stamp, Magritte stamp, commemorative stamp, French philately