Postage stamps and postal history of France

This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of France.

First stamps[edit]

Second Republic[edit]

The first stamps of France were issued on 1 January 1849.^[1] They were designed by Jacques-Jean Barre. The medallion depicts the head of goddess Ceres facing left.

In 1852 a new series of definitive stamps were issued, retaining the inscription "REPUB FRANC" but replacing Ceres with the head of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte.

Second Empire[edit]

In 1853, after proclamation of the 2nd Empire, the inscription was changed to "EMPIRE FRANC", while retaining the head of Napoleon III in the medallion.

Starting in 1862, a new type of definitive stamp was introduced. It depicts the head of Napoleon III with a laurel wreath and the inscription changed to "EMPIRE-FRANÇAIS".

The Napoleon stamps remained in use until the fall of the 2nd Empire in 1870.

Third Republic[edit]

The Ceres series stamps, in a slightly different design and printed in lithography, were reintroduced in 1870 and remained in use until 1876. In 1876 a new design of definitive stamps was introduced. It was designed by Jules Auguste Sage and displayed an allegory of Commerce and Peace.

References[edit]

^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2011-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved 23 September 2010

External links[edit]

The France & Colonies Philatelic Society (UK)

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[1] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2011-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved 23 September 2010

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