CEF Philatelic sheet Norman Abbeys Year Bernay St Pierre/Dives

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This philatelic souvenir sheet, published by CEF, highlights the Year of Norman Abbeys, with a focus on Bernay and Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. On the visible side, there is an elegant presentation with a golden frame, including explanatory text on the history and architecture of Norman abbeys. Three photographs illustrate the sheet: the facade of Bernay Abbey, a vaulted interior view, and an exterior view of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives Abbey. The images are printed in color, offering a contrast between the warm tones of the stones and the blue sky.

An illustrated postage stamp is affixed at the bottom right, accompanied by a First Day cancellation specific to the issue. The stamp's visual depicts Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives Abbey, identifiable by its characteristic Gothic architecture. The mention "Abbaye de St Pierre/Dives" appears below the corresponding image for immediate identification.

The main text, titled "Année des Abbayes Normandes" (Year of Norman Abbeys), details the different construction periods and architectural influences present in Normandy, mentioning Bernay and Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives Abbeys, as well as other major sites such as Fécamp, Saint-Ouen de Rouen, and Saint-Wandrille. The Gothic typography of the title reinforces the link with medieval religious heritage.

This sheet is inserted into a transparent plastic sleeve, typical of CEF editions, and bears the catalog number 14296 visible at the bottom left. The overall presentation is meticulous, ideal for preservation and consultation.

The left edge of the sheet mentions the CEF catalog reference and specifies the limited print run of the issue as well as the printing process (offset and silk). No defects or significant signs of wear are visible on the presented side.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side shows no notable defects, colors are vibrant and the print remains sharp. The plastic sleeve appears to be in good condition, with no apparent snags.

Did you know? CEF (Courrier d’Entreprise de France) philatelic souvenir sheets are renowned for their high-quality thematic issues, often printed in limited numbers. They combine historical text, iconography, and First Day cancelled stamps, making them sought-after pieces for documenting French postal and heritage history.

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Keywords: philatelic souvenir sheet, CEF France, Year of Norman Abbeys, Bernay, St Pierre/Dives, First Day stamp, FDC France, thematic philately, Norman abbey, souvenir envelope, first day cover, religious heritage, Gothic architecture