CEF Shelduck philatelic souvenir sheet 4.00 F bird France stamp

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This philatelic sheet, published by the CEF (Centrale d’Études Philatéliques), highlights the Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), an emblematic bird of French wetlands. On the visible side, the sheet features a detailed naturalist illustration of two shelducks, rendered in nuanced shades of green, brown, black, and white, accompanied by the caption "LE TADORNE DE BELON" and the scientific name. The illustration occupies the upper left part, offering a faithful representation of the species in its natural habitat.

Below the illustration, there is a French 4.00 F stamp, accompanied by a first-day cover cancellation, specifically marked "Protection des espèces protégées – Vair-sur-Loire". This cancellation, as well as the stamp, reuses the Shelduck motif, ensuring the graphic coherence of the whole. The stamp bears the inscription "République Française" and shows the same bird in flight or perched on the water.

To the right, an explanatory note printed in black on a white background details the characteristics of the species, its behavior, and its habitat, within a rectangular frame. The text occupies about half of the sheet, with clear and legible typography. The sober layout, typical of CEF sheets, highlights both the educational and philatelic aspects.

On the left margin of the sheet, several inscriptions are visible: CEF catalog number (No. 1115), copyright mentions, CEF logo, and indication of the limited edition, here numbered 792. The mention "Imprimé par la SODOPHIL" and the reference to the Société des Éditions Philatéliques are also present.

This sheet has a smooth surface, a brown frame, and a rigid cardboard structure, typical of CEF productions. No major defects are visible on the presented side. The colors are well preserved and the text is perfectly legible.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The visible side shows no apparent stains, folds, or tears. The corners and edges appear clean in the photo.

Internal Reference

CEF Number: 1115. Print Run Number: 792.

Did you know? The Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is a widespread duck species in Europe and Asia. Its name pays homage to Pierre Belon, a 16th-century French naturalist, a pioneer of modern ornithology. CEF sheets are sought after for the quality of their illustrations and their educational documentation, often produced in collaboration with specialized artists.

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Keywords: philatelic sheet, CEF, France stamp, Common Shelduck, waterfowl, Tadorna tadorna, first day cancellation, FDC, philately, ornithology, 4 franc stamp, commemorative sheet