Stamp Collector

82 MAY 2020 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk costumes, mail transport, letter writing and stamp history, and they form an excellent collection. Between 1999 and 2009, to try to attract young people to stamp collecting, the subject of these stamps became comic strip characters, such as Tintin and Asterix. Stamp Day was renamed Stamp Festival (Fête du Timbre) from 2000. Coats of Arms Collectors interested in heraldry have a rich source of stamps in France’s coats of arms series. Between 1941 and 1966 France issued around 90 stamps depicting the coats of arm of French provinces and cities. The first two series were issued in 1941 and 1942. Comprising a total of 24 stamps, they were issued in single colours, as were the 1945 pair of stamps to mark the liberation of Metz and Strasbourg. All other issues were in full colour. Air France has issued airmail stamps since 1927 and they form an interesting and attractive collection. Issuing policy has been fairly conservative, with just over 80 stamps, the main themes being famous aviators and aircraft over the ages. Some of the early stamps are expensive, while most airmail stamps are available at modest prices. Liberation There are around twenty stamps that commemorate France being liberated from occupation during the Second World War. The first was the 1945 stamp that depicted Marianne on Pegasus, the winged horse, exhorting French resistance forces. Designed and engraved by Pierre Gandon, it is truly a magnificent stamp. Subsequently, there have been stamps issued to commemorate the 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th anniversaries, while a 2014 stamp marked the seventieth anniversary of D-Day. Tips on starting a France collection It is worth a collector taking time to decide which era or subjects of French stamps is of most appeal. This can be done by buying a modest collection of French stamps from a dealer, at auction or online. Looking through a collection with the aid of a catalogue may inspire interest in certain aspects and provide encouragement to go further and build up those sections. 1950 Stamp Day issue depicting a rural postman. Designed and engraved by Albert Decaris 1957 Stamp Day issue illustrating an 18th-century felucca.The stamp was designed and engraved by Albert Decaris 1925 precanceled Sower definitive stamp 1975 precanceled stamp illustrating a Gallic coin,one of a set of twelve stamps issued in 1975 and 1976 Right: issued in January 1945, this Liberation stamp was engraved by Pierre Gandon and illustrated Marianne exhorting French resistance forces. A superb stamp • 2005 airmail stamp celebrating Adrienne Bolland, often described as France’s most accomplished female aviator Below, from right: two of the 1941 set of twelve stamps illustrating coats of arms, the set being surcharged for the benefit of the National Relief Fund. The stamps were each printed in a single colour. The stamps here depict the coats of arms of Rennes and Montpelier • 1958 coats of arms stamps, part of a set of eight stamps. The stamps here depict the coats of arms of Lyon and Nice • Stamp Day was renamed Stamp Festival in 2000. This 2007 Stamp Festival stamp depicted Harry Potter, one in a series of stamps trying to tempt young people to collect stamps 2004 stamp marking sixty years since the liberation of France from German occupation