France stamp year 1849 20c Black Mi 3 Used

France stamp year 1849 20c Black Mi 3 Used

The period from 1849 to 1870 marks the earliest era of French postage stamps, beginning with the introduction of stamps under the Second Republic and continuing through the Second Empire. This period is of great significance in philately, as it includes some of France’s most iconic and sought-after issues.

Key Issues and Designs

1. Ceres Series (1849–1850)
   Introduction: France’s first postage stamps were issued on January 1, 1849, featuring the profile of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, symbolizing the Republic.
   Design:
   Engraved by Jacques-Jean Barre.
   No country name; only “RÉPUB FRANC” (short for République Française) was inscribed.
   Key Denominations:
   20 centimes black: Used for domestic letters.
   1 franc carmine: Used for international and heavier mail.
   Rarity: The 1 franc carmine is particularly rare and valuable.
   Characteristics:
   Printed on unwatermarked paper.
   Perforations were not introduced; stamps were cut manually.
2. Napoleon III Series (1852–1870)
   Introduction: With the rise of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (later Napoleon III), a new series featuring his portrait was introduced.
   Design:
   Profile of Napoleon III, initially as “President” and later as “Emperor.”
   Engraved by Désiré-Albert Barre (son of Jacques-Jean Barre).
   Key Denominations:
   10 centimes bistre.
   40 centimes orange: Used for heavier domestic mail and international correspondence.
   Changes in Inscription:
   Early stamps read “REPUB FRANC”.
   After 1853, replaced with “EMPIRE FRANC” to reflect the establishment of the Second Empire.
   Printing and Characteristics
   Engraving: All stamps were intaglio-printed, a hallmark of their sharp and detailed design.
   Paper: Initially unwatermarked; later issues had lozenges or wavy-line watermarks for security.
   Perforations: Stamps from this period were imperforate, requiring manual cutting with scissors or knives.
   Notable Issues
   1849 Ceres 1 franc carmine: One of the most valuable stamps of France, especially in mint condition.
   1853 Napoleon III 5 franc stamp: Often seen as the flagship of the Second Empire series.
   1870 Bordeaux Issue:
   A provisional series printed during the Franco-Prussian War when Paris was under siege.
   Produced hastily in Bordeaux, leading to crude and variable printing.