France stamps blocks of 4 Mercury and Marianne RF 1940s philately lot

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This lot comprises five blocks of old French postage stamps, each consisting of four identical unused stamps, carefully presented on a white sheet. Three blocks at the top of the image feature the Mercury motif, identifiable by the winged helmet and caduceus, with face values of 10, 30, and 40 centimes, in blue, red, and violet respectively. The fine engraving and graphic style typical of the immediate post-war period evoke French philatelic production of the 1940s.

The block at the bottom of the image shows four red Marianne-type stamps, with a value of 3 francs, accompanied by a printed margin bearing the date "16.5.46" and two red bars. The classic profile of Marianne, a republican symbol, is recognizable, with "RF" and "POSTES" clearly visible. The crisp impression of the faces, the typography, and the perforated borders are characteristic of the letterpress printing of the era.

The colors are vibrant and consistent across each block, with a dominance of blue, red, and violet for the Mercury stamps, and a deep red for the Marianne. The side margins are preserved on several blocks, highlighting the original presentation and cut. The dated margin on the Marianne block adds additional interest for precise identification of the issue.

The details of the motifs are clearly visible: Mercury, god of commerce, holds a caduceus and has a serene expression. On the Marianne stamps, the stylized and solemn design of the face illustrates the republican iconography of post-war France. The mentions "RF", "POSTES", and the face values are perfectly legible on each stamp.

The stamps are apparently unused, with no visible gum trace or hinge apparent on the face shown. The perforations are regular, with no tears or visible creases on this face. The set presents a clean, well-preserved appearance, with a slight trace of handling on the paper support, without affecting the stamps themselves.

Condition

Used items, sold as is. The stamps visible in the photo are unused, with no major apparent defects on the face shown. Slight marks on the paper support, without impact on the stamps themselves. Only the visible faces are described; no information about the back is provided.

Did you know? The Mercury series was issued in France starting in 1938 and used until the early 1950s, particularly for everyday postage. The Marianne type, an emblematic figure of the French Republic, has been featured on many stamps since the Liberation, each version illustrating a distinct political and artistic period in French postal history.

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Keywords: France stamps, blocks of 4, Mercury, Marianne RF, 1940s stamps, French philately, postage stamps France, lot postage stamps, Mercury series, red stamps, blue stamps, stamps lot France