Illustrated philatelic sheet CEF François Arago Famous People

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This philatelic souvenir sheet, published by CEF, honors François Arago, a significant figure in French scientific history. On the visible side, there is a large black and white illustration of François Arago's portrait, enhanced with a blue watercolor background. Below the portrait, the inscription "Les Hommes Célèbres" (Famous Men) and the name "François ARAGO" are clearly legible, accompanied by the symbol of the Cygnus constellation, represented by yellow stars linked together. The illustration bears the mention of the artist René Quillivic, Grand Prix de Rome for engraving and creator of the issued stamp.

To the right of the sheet, a printed biographical text presents François Arago's career, his contributions to astronomy, optics, and other scientific fields. This text is written in French, in clear typography on a white background, and occupies the right half of the sheet.

A blue stamp with a face value of 1.80 francs is affixed to the right side, featuring a portrait of Arago and visible inscriptions. The stamp also bears a First Day postmark dated February 28, 1986, in Estagel, attesting to its philatelic authenticity. The First Day cancellation is clear and partially overlaps the stamp, reproducing the portrait and graphic elements related to the issue.

The sheet is pre-perforated on the left, with a margin containing the reference "N° 880 du catalogue CEF" and various technical mentions related to the edition and distribution. The number 7699 is visible at the bottom left, likely corresponding to the numbering of the limited edition. The whole presents a meticulous layout, typical of modern commemorative sheets.

The document is presented on a neutral background, without framing, and the visible surface shows no major alteration. The colors are well preserved, with a marked contrast between the illustrated areas and the textual part.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side shows no apparent defects, no stains, and no major creases. The stamp and the First Day cancellation are clear and well positioned. Any additional inspection would pertain to areas not visible in the photo.

Did you know? François Arago (1786-1853) was a French scientist and politician, director of the Paris Observatory, and an influential member of the Academy of Sciences. He played a key role in the dissemination of science in France and was one of the first to advocate for the abolition of slavery in the French colonies.

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