France postage stamp year 1902 15c pale red Mouchon

France postage stamp year 1902 15c pale red Mouchon MNH (**)

In 1902, France issued a series of postage stamps known as the “Droits de l’Homme” (Rights of Man), designed by Louis-Eugène Mouchon. These stamps featured an allegorical representation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, with a seated female figure holding a shield inscribed with the text.

Key Features of the 1902 “Droits de l’Homme” Series

• Design: The central motif is a female allegorical figure holding a shield bearing the inscription “DROITS DE L’HOMME”.
• Perforation: The stamps were perforated 14 x 13½.
• Watermark: Unwatermarked.
• Millesimé (Year Mark): Some stamps from this series include a millesimé, indicating the year of issue. For example, the 15c orange stamp from 1902 is cataloged as Yvert 111b with the millesimé “2” .
• Overprints: Certain stamps were overprinted with “F.M.” (Franchise Militaire), indicating their use for military mail. These overprints are known to be forged by the forger Fournier, so collectors should exercise caution .
• Catalog Values: Catalog values for these stamps vary based on condition and rarity. For instance, a used 15c stamp is cataloged at $0.60, while a block of four 25c stamps with original gum is valued at $135.00