Lot of old French illustrated stamps coats of arms La Pérouse portraits philately

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

This lot presents a selection of antique French stamps, displayed on an album page, covering several emblematic themes of French philately. Notably, it includes series illustrated with portraits of historical figures, coats of arms of French cities, and commemorative issues, all featuring detailed graphics and varied colors.

The upper part of the page shows stamps with effigies, including André Blondel, Stendhal, and other personalities, in a palette of gray, green, black, and brown. There is also a stamp of La Pérouse, issued in blue, present in duplicate side by side, illustrating the navigator in front of a map. These stamps highlight the rich iconography of French issues from the mid-20th century.

The center of the page is occupied by a series of coat of arms stamps, each displaying the arms of cities such as Chambéry, La Rochelle, Orléans, Grenoble, Dijon, Limoges, Le Havre, Dax, Nice, Poitiers, and Antibes. These stamps come in bold colors (green, blue, red, purple, pink), with each pair being strictly identical per city. The heraldic motifs are reproduced with care, highlighting the diversity of local heritage.

Some stamps bear the mention "POSTES FRANÇAISES" at the top, accompanied by face value indications in francs or centimes. The borders and fonts are typical of post-war French issues, with a classic and refined graphic style. Several copies are grouped in pairs, which highlights the variety while facilitating thematic or regional classification.

The presentation on the album page shows a slight trace of oxidation in the central area, with no apparent impact on the visual integrity of the stamps themselves. The colors remain vibrant and the outlines sharp, although some edges may show slight traces of handling, common for this type of period material.

Condition
Used item sold as is. The visible stamps are generally fresh, with preserved colors and legible inscriptions. Some traces of use or handling are possible, as well as slight localized yellowing on the backing page. No major defects observed on the presented faces.

Did you know? French coat of arms stamps were very successful from the 1940s-50s onwards, with each issue honoring the coat of arms of a city, often accompanied by faithful heraldic colors. The "La Pérouse" series pays tribute to the famous explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse, who disappeared during his circumnavigation expedition at the end of the 18th century.

Professional Reassurance
Fast shipping and careful packaging by a professional seller. Items are handled with care to ensure their optimal protection until reception.

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