France year 1943 Charity Stamps MNH

France year 1943 Charity Stamps MNH**

In 1943, during the German occupation, France (under the Vichy regime) and the Free French forces both issued a significant number of semi-postal stamps (charity stamps). These stamps featured a mandatory surtax (e.g., $1.20F + 2.80F$) that went toward war relief and national social programs.

1. Vichy Regime Issues (État Français)

The Vichy government released several sets in 1943, often focusing on national identity and social order (“Travail, Famille, Patrie”).

• Famous Men of the 16th Century: A set of 6 stamps featuring influential figures like:
  • Henry IV (King of France)
  • Michel de Montaigne (Philosopher)
  • Ambroise Paré (Surgeon)
  • François Clouet (Painter)
• National Relief Fund (Secours National): * Stamps featuring Marshal Philippe Pétain were common, often sold in strips or with a “Francisque” (the regime’s double-headed axe symbol) on a central label.
  • One notable set depicted Regional Headdresses (Coiffes régionales) from provinces like Picardy, Brittany, and Auvergne.
• Arms of French Cities: A definitive series featuring provincial coats of arms (e.g., Lyon, Flanders, Languedoc).
• Prisoners of War: Specific issues were released to raise money for the families of French soldiers held in German POW camps (Au profit de la famille du prisonnier).

2. Free French & Liberation Issues

While Vichy controlled the post in France, the French Committee of National Liberation (CFLN) issued stamps from Algiers and London for use in liberated territories (like Corsica).

• The “Marianne of Algiers”: Designed by Edmund Dulac, these were intended to replace the Pétain stamps.
• Resistance Aid: High-value semi-postals were issued to fund the Resistance, often featuring the Cross of Lorraine.

Philatelic Summary Table

Historical Note: Many of the Vichy stamps from 1943 were demonetized (declared invalid) immediately after the Liberation of France in late 1944.