CEF Channel Tunnel 1994 France canceled stamps inauguration sheet

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This CEF philatelic sheet commemorates the inauguration of the Channel Tunnel in 1994. The entire set is presented in a three-hole punched plastic sleeve, with an official imprint on the left side mentioning SODOP, the limited edition, and the number 5502.

The main face of the sheet is illustrated with a graphic composition signed by Jean-Paul Cousin, centered on the tunnel theme. Three cancelled French postage stamps are visible, with face values of 2.80 F (two copies) and 4.30 F (one copy), all issued by La Poste and bearing the mention "Tunnel sous la Manche". The dominant colors are dark blue, orange, white, and green, with stylized motifs evoking the cross-Channel link and technical elements.

The upper part of the sheet features an abstract artistic visual, with two circles and white lines on a blue background, symbolizing the Franco-British junction. The left part shows the first-day cancellation stamp, dated June 24, 1994, in Coquelles (Pas-de-Calais), affixed to the stamps.

A large text area on the right details the history of the project, its realization, and its importance for circulation between France and the United Kingdom. The printing is clear, with no handwritten inscriptions or visible defects on the presented face.

The sheet is offered in used condition, with the visible set being clean, without creases, stains, or apparent tears on the photographed area. The reference number of the sheet, "N° 1119 bis du catalogue CEF", is visible on the side strip.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible face appears in good overall condition, with no major observable defects on the sleeve or the sheet itself.

Did you know? The Channel Tunnel, inaugurated in 1994, connects France and the United Kingdom via a 50.5 km underwater railway infrastructure, of which approximately 38 km are under the sea. It is one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world, the result of a cross-Channel project conceived in the 19th century, but realized more than a century later.

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Keywords: philatelic sheet, CEF, Channel Tunnel, France stamp, 1994 inauguration, first day cancelled, Jean-Paul Cousin, La Poste, philately, Channel Tunnel stamps, limited edition, commemorative sheet, France postage stamps