Philatelic sheet CEF Year of Norman Abbeys Bernay St Pierre/Dives

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This philatelic sheet published by CEF features a theme dedicated to the "Year of Norman Abbeys," with a particular focus on Bernay and Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. The visible side of the sheet displays an elegant layout, with a golden border highlighting the content. On the left, an explanatory text details the history and religious architecture of Normandy, highlighting the specific features of the abbeys of Bernay and Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. The text is printed in black on a white background, with a title in Gothic characters for a touch of heritage authenticity.

To the right of the sheet, two color photographs illustrate the buildings: the first shows the facade of Bernay Abbey under a blue sky, while the second presents the vaulted interior of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives Abbey, characterized by its arches and natural light. A round commemorative postmark, marked "Année des Abbayes Normandes," accompanies the ensemble, reinforcing the philatelic aspect of the item.

A French postage stamp with a face value of 1.00 franc, affixed to the lower right part, is canceled with the day's postmark, in harmony with the theme of Norman abbeys. The stamp depicts an architectural detail, perfectly integrated into the visual composition of the sheet.

The item is presented in a perforated plastic sleeve, typical of CEF editions, with the mention "N° 505 du catalogue CEF" visible on the left edge. Also noted are the mention "Tirage de l’émission limité à 33 800 exemplaires" (Limited edition of 33,800 copies) and the copy number "14297" printed in the lower left.

The ensemble is in good visual condition on the exposed side, with no apparent signs of wear, chips, or noticeable stains. The presentation remains professional and neat, ideal for storage in a binder or display case.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side presents a clean and well-preserved appearance, with no major observable defects.

Did you know? CEF (Courrier d’Entreprise à la Française) sheets are renowned for their print quality and thematic presentation, combining historical text, iconography, and a cancelled postmark of the day. They are often produced in limited series, making them preferred items for illustrating French postal and regional history.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: philatelic sheet, CEF, limited edition, Norman abbey, Bernay, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, canceled stamp, postal history, philatelic document, FDC France, French first day cover, religious architecture, Norman heritage