Lot classic France used stamps Ceres Napoleon blue and brown philately

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This lot features an assortment of classic French postage stamps, primarily from the 19th century, carefully arranged in a transparent philatelic sleeve. The collection includes a notable series of canceled stamps featuring Ceres and Napoleon III, recognizable by their distinctive medallion profiles, highly representative of the classical period of French philately. The dominant colors are vibrant blue and orange-brown, typical of early French issues.

Among the visible stamps, several examples of the famous "Ceres 25c blue" are present, alongside other face values and shades, including "2 centimes brown-red" and tax stamps (postage due stamps) at the bottom of the photo. Some stamps are still mounted on envelope or document fragments, highlighting postmarks and postal markings, such as a "3992" postmark and a "D’IVRY AVRIL 63" dated postmark clearly legible.

At the top of the image, two Parisian postal coupons are visible, with the mention "COURS POSTAUX DE PARIS POUR PARIS" and manual numbering, typical of the early days of urban Parisian postal services. Details of perforations, serrations, and intact or partially trimmed margins are clearly visible on several examples, allowing for appreciation of the diversity of conservation status, ranging from well-centered stamps to others with narrower margins.

The collection offers a beautiful palette of printing shades, as well as varied cancellations, including numeral cancellations, lozenges, and circular date stamps, illustrating the richness of French postal history. Also distinguishable are "50 centimes à percevoir" tax stamps at the bottom, with different colors and mentions "CHIFFRE TAXE," completing this philatelic panorama.

Some stamps show signs of use, clear or partial cancellation marks, and traces of handling, characteristic of period pieces. The collection is of great documentary value for postal history, with a diversity of face values, colors, and types of cancellations visible on the exposed side.

Condition

These stamps are used and sold as is. Several examples show traces of cancellation, folds, rounded corners, or trimmed margins, as well as variations in paper freshness. The overall condition is consistent with classic stamps that have circulated, some mounted on fragments.

Did you know? The first French "Ceres" postage stamps were issued in 1849 and are recognizable by the head of the goddess Ceres, symbol of the Republic. Ceres and Napoleon III types are sought after for their different shades, cancellations, and specific postal uses, bearing witness to the beginnings of philately in France.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping by a specialized professional seller. Each lot is carefully prepared to ensure safe transport.

Keywords: classic French stamps, Ceres blue, Napoleon III stamp, 19th century canceled, French postage stamp, old French stamps, postage due stamp, philately lot, stamp lot France, blue postage stamp, perforated stamps, lozenge cancellation, Paris postal coupon, French stamp lot