Philatelic sheet CEF 1685-1985 Welcome of the Huguenots tolerance

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This CEF philatelic sheet celebrates the tercentenary of the welcoming of the Huguenots, covering the period 1685-1985. On the visible side, a color illustration depicts two historical figures, one wearing a dark jacket with a yellow scarf, the other wearing a red beret and a goatee, evoking the Reformation era. The drawing style combines fine lines and bold colors, typical of French commemorative philatelic creations from the 1980s.

The main illustration is signed by Albert Decaris, a member of the Institute, whose name is mentioned below the drawing. To the right, the sheet presents a detailed historical text about the Reformation, the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and the persecutions suffered by French Protestants. A commemorative 2.50 F stamp, predominantly red, is integrated on the right side, accompanied by a first day cancellation dated 1985, with the inscription "1685-1985 Accueil des Huguenots" (Welcoming of the Huguenots) and a stylized Huguenot cross.

The sheet bears the official mentions of the CEF (Cercle des Émetteurs de France), with the reference N°768 from the CEF catalog in the upper left. The presentation is neat, printed on smooth-textured white paper, with a brown frame around the illustration. The text printed at the bottom of the page provides complete historical context, making this sheet particularly informative.

The left edge of the sheet is perforated with two holes, typical of the CEF filing system, facilitating archiving in a specialized binder. The serial number 8516 appears in the lower left, attesting to the limited and numbered edition of the sheet.

The combination of artistic illustration, historical text, and the first day stamp makes this sheet a visual and philatelic testament to the history of the Huguenots in France. The visual and inscriptions are clear and legible on the presented side.

Condition

Used item sold as is. The visible side shows good general preservation, with no apparent stains or folds on the illustrated area. The perforated edge and corners appear intact in the photo.

Did you know? CEF sheets have been published in France since the 1950s to commemorate major historical events, combining original illustration, explanatory text, and a first day stamp. The engraver Albert Decaris, mentioned here, is one of the most prolific artists in French philately, having created over 500 stamps between 1935 and 1988.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: CEF sheet, first day cover, Huguenots, tolerance pluralism, French philately, Albert Decaris, commemorative issue, Protestant Reformation, FDC France, illustrated sheet, stamp sheet, French philately, Protestant history