Canceled CEF UNESCO 1978 souvenir sheet, French stamps, first day

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This official CEF philatelic souvenir sheet honors UNESCO, featuring three French stamps issued on October 23, 1978. The ensemble presents a modern graphic composition, dominated by a stylized green leaf motif and geometric shapes in red, orange, and burgundy tones, evoking UNESCO's visual identity at that time. The three stamps bear the inscription "unesco" and different face values: 0.80 F (green/blue), 1.00 F (green/orange), 1.40 F (green/brown).

The upper part of the souvenir sheet features the three stamps aligned, each canceled with a round blue "Premier Jour UNESCO Paris 23 OCT. 1978" postmark. These cancellations attest to the official release date, giving the set a sought-after philatelic character for the UNESCO theme.

The souvenir sheet also includes an explanatory text about UNESCO, its mission, and the stamp issue bearing its effigy. To the right, the "unesco" logo is printed in black, duplicated, along with a large stylized green leaf and an orange disc, complemented by colored arcs. The highly structured layout aligns with the graphic aesthetics of the late 1970s.

The souvenir sheet is presented in a transparent plastic sleeve, inserted into a cardboard sheet with three perforations, typical of CEF (Connaissance et Etude des Feuillets) presentations. The mention "N° 1380 au catalogue CEF" and the number "11364" appear on the left side margin, confirming the authenticity of this edition.

The main visible colors are dark green, blue, orange, brown, and black, with an off-white background. The overall condition observed is good, with no apparent defects or creases on the visible side. The item presents a clean and neat appearance, suitable for album or framed display.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Clean visible side, clear stamps and cancellations, no notable alteration on the observed surface.

Did you know? UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) was founded in 1945 and its headquarters are in Paris. France's stamp issues featuring UNESCO began in 1946, marking the country's commitment to promoting values of peace and culture internationally. "First Day" souvenir sheets are particularly prized for their documentary value and refined aesthetics.

AFW Reassurance

Fast shipping, careful packaging, and tracked delivery. Professional seller specializing in philately and postal collectibles.

Keywords: first day sheet, CEF UNESCO, France stamp 1978, philatelic envelope, Paris cancellation, thematic sheet, FDC UNESCO, philately France, First Day card, UNESCO issue, UNESCO Paris stamp, France commemorative stamp