{"product_id":"feuillet-philatelique-cef-1916-verdun-1976-voie-sacree-oblitere-france","title":"Philatelic sheet CEF 1916 Verdun 1976 Sacred Way cancelled France","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAFW - Antique France Worldwide\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDescription\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis philatelic sheet, published by the CEF (Connaissance et Étude de la Philatélie Française), pays tribute to the Battle of Verdun, commemorating the years 1916 to 1976. The visible side features a soberly colored illustration depicting a French soldier in uniform, seen from behind, in a trench, with a bayonet rifle. In the background, barbed wire, sandbags, and a sky tinged with red and gray evoke the intensity of the fighting. In the center-right, a monument marked \"Voie Sacrée\" and the number \"55\" are visible, recalling the strategic road linking Bar-le-Duc to Verdun during the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheet incorporates a French commemorative stamp with a face value of 1.00 franc, illustrated with symbols of the Battle of Verdun. A specific postmark dated \"21-2-1976\" and mentioning \"1916–1976 Verdun\" accompanies the stamp, confirming the special philatelic issue. The CEF logo and the sheet number (\"3344\") are also visible in the lower-left margin, indicating a limited and numbered edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo the right of the illustration, a text printed in French details the context of the Battle of Verdun and the significance of the Voie Sacrée. The overall presentation is meticulous, with a fine golden frame and a layout typical of CEF editions, appreciated by philatelists for their graphic and historical quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheet is presented flat, with no visible folds, and the surface appears clean, without stains or apparent tears on the exposed side. The colors remain sharp, with a dominance of gray, beige, and red tones. The main inscriptions (\"1916 VERDUN 1976\", \"Voie Sacrée\", stamp value, postmark) are perfectly legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis type of commemorative sheet, often called an \"illustrated first day cover\" or \"illustrated FDC,\" is an excellent medium for thematic philately on the First World War and major events in French history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsed item, sold as is. The visible side shows no major defects; the print quality, stamp, and postmark are well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDid you know?\u003c\/b\u003e  \nThe \"Voie Sacrée\" (Sacred Way) refers to the 55 km strategic road between Bar-le-Duc and Verdun, used for the supply and logistics of French troops during the Battle of Verdun in 1916. This road has become a symbol of French resistance and is the subject of numerous philatelic and commemorative tributes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAFW Reassurance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour order will be handled with the utmost care: secure packaging, fast shipping from France, professional service provided by AFW.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eKeywords: philatelic sheet, CEF, Verdun 1916, Voie Sacrée, commemorative stamp, illustrated FDC, first day cover, WWI, Battle of Verdun, French philately, French stamp, First Day Cover, WW1 philately\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AFW","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54343510229319,"sku":"51815-0974dd8e-a0cf-454a-b601-a5a152209a71-PA0.02","price":1.39,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0989\/5152\/8775\/files\/s-l1600_9e1c9337-b6cb-4fed-99d3-511123d99db9.jpg?v=1784051305","url":"https:\/\/shop.antiquefranceworldwide.com\/en\/products\/feuillet-philatelique-cef-1916-verdun-1976-voie-sacree-oblitere-france","provider":"AFW","version":"1.0","type":"link"}