Philatelic sheet CEF Arts et Métiers Liancourt 1780-1980 first day

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This philatelic sheet, published by the CEF (Cercle des Émissions Philatéliques Françaises), commemorates the bicentenary of the École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts & Métiers, founded in Liancourt in 1780. The visible side presents a meticulous graphic composition, dominated by the title "ÉCOLE NATIONALE SUPÉRIEURE D’ARTS & MÉTIERS", followed by a detailed historical text printed in black, tracing the genesis and importance of the institution. On the left, a watercolor illustration depicts the school buildings in Liancourt, surmounted by the caption "LIANCOURT 1780-1980".

The right side of the sheet features a stylized blue map of France, accompanied by a portrait of François Alexandre Frédéric, Duke of La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, founder of the school, in period costume with a white wig and red coat. A commemorative 2.00 franc postage stamp, illustrated with the same building, is affixed to the bottom right, canceled with a "PREMIER JOUR" (First Day) postmark dated May 9, 1980, also mentioning Liancourt.

The sheet is presented in a perforated transparent sleeve, typical of CEF products, with the mention "N° 536 du catalogue CEF" and the reference "10992" printed on the side strip. The whole is made of smooth cardboard paper, with clear prints and an elegant layout, in line with CEF standards for French philately.

The dominant colors are the off-white of the support, the black of the text, the vibrant blue of the stylized map, the grey tones of the watercolor illustration, and the bright red of the clothing in the portrait. The first day cancellation and the stamp are perfectly legible, enhancing the commemorative aspect and the philatelic quality of the sheet.

This document constitutes a visual and historical testimony to the celebration of the school's 200th anniversary, highlighting its origins, its founder, and its influence in French technical education.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The sheet is protected in its original sleeve, with no visible defects on the presented side. The prints and colors are well preserved, with no apparent stains or creases.

Did you know? The CEF "Premier Jour" (First Day) series of sheets was launched in France in the 1950s, offering philatelists illustrated commemorative documents, stamped with a special cancellation on the day the stamp was issued. These sheets often combine historical text, artistic illustration, and a philatelic postmark to highlight major events or institutions in French history.

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