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France Stamps and Postal History

France stamps – The first French mail service was set up on 19th June 1464 by decree of Louis XI, however only operated for king and royal court. The first France stamps were the 20 centimes black, and 1 franc orange-vermilion issued on 1st January 1849. They were an original signatorie of the UPU in 1874. On 1st 1899, following the introduction of the Imperial Penny Post a week earlier, they established a Colonial rate equal to the internal mail rate. 

Stamps during the War

In 1914, France entered the war against Germany after the invasion of Belgium, immediately moving into German Alsace, horrendous trench warfare followed. In 1916 German stamps overprinted for the Western Military Command were therefore used in occupied areas. In May 1939 the Germans invade Holland and Belgium and quickly passed through to enter France from the north-east and also directly south of Luxembourg. The French army fell back and its British allies, pinned to the Channel coast, were forced to withdraw from Dunkirk. On 6th June 1944 the Allies invaded Normandy and in August, southern France. By the end of 1944 virtually all of the country was liberated and Paris became the capital again in August, with new designs printed in Washington and brought to France by the Allies in June, these were used in liberated areas as forces advanced.

France issue beautiful stamps depicting outstanding art and also culture. Collectors enjoy a rich diversity of early classics, in addition to fascinating wartime postal history, postage dues and revenue stamps.

France stamps
Kwik-Bid #4334 (19 lots) Sandafayre #5334 (38 lots) Public Auction #8334 (8 lots) All Lots
(65 lots)

Lots Per Page:

  • Cover image of lot 311

    Lot 311 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £280 - £320

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - 1914-1938 STRASBOURG COVERS & CARDS COLLECTION relating to Strasbourg from WWI to the outbreak of WWII, incl. censorship markings, regimental handstamps and others incl November 1918 manus...

    14

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  • Cover image of lot 312

    Lot 312 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £60 - £80

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - 1924-42 MINT COLLECTION incl. 1924 Olympic Games set, 1924-25 Decorative Arts set, 1936 Vimy set, 1936 Paris Exhibition set, 1936 Intellectuals set, 1938 Intellectuals set etc. Yv. 2017 S....

    3

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  • Cover image of lot 313

    Lot 313 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £240 - £260

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - 1939-45 WWII STRASBOURG COVERS & CARDS COLLECTION incl. 1939 'Journee du Timbre' cds cancelled covers & cards, picture post card, new issue card & cover bearing 'Strasbourg Cathedral' 70c ...

    20

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  • Cover image of lot 314

    Lot 314 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £85 - £95

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - 1958-77 COUNCIL OF EUROPE & UNESCO COLLECTION of stamps & covers incl. 1958 European Council illustrated FDC, Council printed Stationery cover to Switzerland, 1959 covers group bearing (Fr...

    10

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  • Cover image of lot 315

    Lot 315 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £15 - £20

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - 1977-80 Philatelic Documents, all different. (21)

    21

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  • Cover image of lot 316

    Lot 316 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £150 - £200

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - FRANCE & COLONIES a mainly never hinged mint range on stock cards etc, incl. Banknote 50f (toned gum), many different Colonies issues etc, careful viewing advised. (Qty)

    7

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  • Cover image of lot 317

    Lot 317 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £150 - £180

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - FRANCE & COLONIES 1849-1990's COLLECTION IN FIVE STOCKBOOKS from various classic issues to 1f and 5f, duplicated Peace and Commerce types, Sowers, later mint and used issues, various Colon...

    5

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  • Cover image of lot 318

    Lot 318 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £75 - £90

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - STRASBOURG 1946-78 COVERS & CARDS COLLECTION featuring the development of European institutions incl. Europa. (70+ items)

    10

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  • Cover image of lot 354

    Lot 354 (Kwik-Bid #4334)

    Monday 30th May 2022, 16:30

    Est. £100 - £120

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - 1971 Gen. de Gaulle IMPERF strip/4 with label, Yv 1695a/8a, NHM

    1

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  • Cover image of lot 355

    Lot 355 (Kwik-Bid #4334)

    Monday 30th May 2022, 16:30

    Est. £60 - £65

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    FRANCE - 1988-2009, Collection of booklets, face value approx. £ 100 (11)

    2

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Lots Per Page:

Kwik-Bid #4334 (19 lots) Sandafayre #5334 (38 lots) Public Auction #8334 (8 lots) All Lots
(65 lots)