Continuing with the France 2021 philately, we pick up with July. If you haven’t seen the stamps from the first half of the year, check them out at France 2021 Jan. to June. The intro explaining a few aspects of engraving and design can be found there. The November section contains a great deal of material from the 2021 fall philatelic show LISA (75 years of the Salon Philatélique d’automne). Posters and special cards are included in this set.
July
Hunspach – Favorite village of the French 2020
1 stamp, sheet of 10, cancel, info sheet
Photogravure
“Renowned for its white half-timbered houses and cut-sided roofs, Hunspach combines charm with authenticity. This stamp of the vilage preféré 2020 pays tribute to this jewel of Alsatian heritage”. Stéphane BERN
Designer: David Lanaspa • DA COFFEE TIME • (@dacoffeetime) • Instagram photos and videos
Release date: July 5, 2021
Royal Chapel of Saint-Louis Dreux Eure-et-Loir
Tourist series
1 stamp, sheet of 12, cancel, info sheet
Built in 1816, on the site of the ancient fortress of the Counts of Dreux, the Chapel Saint Louis of Dreux was the burial place of the Bourbon-Orleans family. The first construction, by the Duchess of Orleans, in neoclassical style, was later enlarged by her son King Louis-Philippe in
neo-Gothic style. Home – Chapelle Royale de Dreux (chapelle-royale-dreux.com)
Designer: Line Filhon
Filhon designs stamps for France, TAAF, Saint Pierre and Michelon, French Polynesia and Monaco. She designed the Royal St Louis – Dreux Chapel for French post, and if conditions continue to improve in France, will be signing her work at Shop of the Royal Chapelle Saint Louis de Dreux, 2 square d ‘ Aumale, 28100 Dreux. on July 2, 2021.
Her first stamp was Royaumont Abbey, Val d’Oise, 2009 for La Poste. Filhon created the 2021 TAAF Sea Lions of Amsterdam Island souvenir sheet.
Release date: July 5, 2021
Faïencerie de Gien 1821 – 2021
1 stamp, sheet of 10, cancel, info sheet
Intaglio
Illustrator: Broll & Prascida
Engraver: Elsa Catelin
Cancel designer: Geneviève Marot
Musée de La Poste featured a special event with Elsa Catelin October 7, 2021. They had a video conference from Catelin’s studio, “Behind the scenes of the creation of the stamp“, about the Faïencerie de Gien stamp. “During this conference, Elsa Catelin, designer and engraver of postage stamps, reveals the backstage of philatelic creation: trades, artists, techniques”. After the demonstration, Catelin held a Q & A.
Release date: July 2, 2021
EUROMED: Traditional Jewelry of the Mediterranean
1 stamp, sheet of 15, cancel, info sheet
Photogravure
17th century – coulas (bangle-type bracelet)
Mediterranean red coral is widely used in jewelry making. In the hollow of the neck or the wrist, in earrings or in a necklace, “red gold”, reputed to bring good luck, still knows the same craze today.
Whatever its value, a piece of jewelry tells a story. It expresses a social status, a belonging to a religion, evokes a memory. This “memorial sign”, as Jean-Jacques Rousseau called it, is often part of a regional tradition.
In the 18th century, in the Arles region, future brides were offered the “coulas”, a bangle-type bracelet, in gold or silver, holding a chiseled medal. The coquetry of Arlésiennes stimulates the local silversmiths who compete in their know-how. The privileged relationship between Arles and the Order of Malta inspired them with sumptuous adornments. They revisit in particular the enamelled Maltese cross set with a diamond, to which they add a pendant in the shape of a teardrop.
A Latin cross for faith, an anchor for hope, a heart for charity, the Camargue cross created in 1926, whose ends recall the tridents of the gardians, has become the symbol of the Camargue soul.
Designer: Florence Gendre Florence Gendre, illustrateur dessinateur freelance à Paris – France (florence-gendre-illustration.com)
Gendre’s first stamp was the 2010 Georges Charpak issue. She specialises in highly detailed,exquisite illustrations and you can read bit about her design process on her website blog. Member of the French Society of Botanical Illustration (SFIB), the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) and the Art of Engraved Stamp (ATG).
Release date: July 12, 2021
France land of tourism – Natural sites
12 self-adhesives in a booklet
Photogravure
Top row left to right:
- PUY DE SANCY © Bernard JAUBERT/Onlyfrance.fr
- ROCHERS DES DEUX JUMEAUX © Arnaud BERTRANDE/ Onlyfrance.fr
- FORÊT DE FONTAINEBLEAU © ESCUDERO Patrick / hemis.fr
- GRAND BALLON © MATTES René /hemis.fr
- CASCADE DES TUFS © HUGHES Hervé /hemis.fr
- DÉSERT DE PLATÉ © Jean-Philippe Delobelle / Biosphoto
Bottom row left to right:
- DUNE DU PILAT © Jacques BRAVO/Onlyfrance.fr
- POINTE DU RAZ © Georges Lopez /Biosphoto
- TERRIL N°74A © CHAREL Franck /hemis.fr
- COLORADO PROVENÇAL © MATTES René / hemis.fr
- PAYSAGE DE L’AUBRAC © GUY Christian / hemis.fr
- LA LOIRE – © David Darrault / Biosphoto
Cover:
- DUNE DU PILAT © Jacques BRAVO /Onlyfrance.fr;
- PUY DE SANCY © Bernard JAUBERT/ Onlyfrance.fr;
- FLAT DESERT © Jean-Philippe Delobelle /Biosphoto
Designer: Etienne Théry
France Terre de Tourisme logo: Christelle Guénot
Release date: July 12, 2021
400 years Jean de la Fontaine
2 stamps on a souvenir sheet, souvenir folder, cancel
The following fables can be found on the souvenir sheet:
- “The frog that wants to be as big as the ox”,
- “the wolf and the dog”,
- “the city rat and the field rat”,
- “the goose with the golden eggs”,
- “the hare and the turtle”,
- “the tick and the fly”,
- “the crow and the fox”,
- “the lion in love”,
- “the pot of earth and the pot of iron”
- “the cicada and the ant”
The Fables of the Fountain (lesfables.fr)
Jean de La Fontaine – LAROUSSE
Both Monaco and Hungary issued stamps celebrating de la Fontaine.
Designer/engraver: Christophe Laborde-Balen https://www.labordebalen.com/
Release date: July 12, 2021
Caving – La spéléologie
1 stamp, sheet of 12, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
What is speleology (caving)?
Caving is a multidisciplinary activity with strong educational added value, it combines both scientific, environmental, sports and leisure aspects.
Its objective is to explore karst and underground, natural, artificial or anthropogenic in order to actively contribute to the study, knowledge and conservation of areas where caving is practiced, while taking into account the elements of the surface heritageLa spéléologie est une activité pluridisciplinaire à forte plus-value éducative, elle allie à la fois des aspects scientifiques, environnementaux, sportifs et de loisirs.
Elle a pour objectif l’exploration du karst et des milieux souterrains, naturels, artificiels ou anthropiques afin de contribuer de manière active à l’étude, la
connaissance et la conservation des terrains de pratique de la spéléologie, tout en tenant compte des éléments du patrimoine de surface.
32-definition_speleologie_votee.pdf (ffspeleo.fr)
FFS – French Federation of Speleology (ffspeleo.fr)
UIS – International Union of Speleology (uis-speleo.org)
Designer: Stephanie Ghinéa home stinea graphic design stephanie ghinéa
Photographer: Philippe Crochet Philippe Crochet – Photographer of caving and the mineral world (philippe-crochet.com)
Release date: July 26, 2021
September
Heritage of France in stamps – 2021 edition
10 sheets of ten different stamps
Intaglio
If you have this set, drop a comment. I’d be interested in hearing about what it looks like. What are you impressions, is it a good retrospective?
For the third consecutive year, the series “Patrimoine de France en timbres” registered over 5 years, presents ten sheets that include ten stamps, chosen by a committee of experts, through ten themes: Arts and letters, Aviation, Red Cross, The France of our regions, Postal history, Characters in the History of France, Architectural heritage of France, Science and technology, Sports and leisure and Transport La Poste 06/09/2021
Designer: Sarah Bougault using early French stamps
Bougault designed the April 2021 Treasures of Notre Dame set. She has engrave and/or designed 23 stamps for La Posta. Bougault worked with Susan Scott on Canada’s 2017 Battle of Vimy Ridge 1917-2017 Memorial souvenir sheet.
Release date: September 6, 2021
Wonderful tales
12 self-adhesives in a booklet, cancel
Photogravure
Illustrations & design: Henri Galeron
Great People| Galeron, Henri (editionsdesgrandespersonnes.com)
Release date: September 6, 2021
Camille Henrot
1 stamp, sheet of 9, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
“As an artist, I have the freedom to browse through ideas with the curiosity of the amateur,”… “I’m allowed to have an irrational approach to knowledge, which is a privilege I appreciate a lot. I see the world as a fragmented ensemble and that fragmentation is harrowing. Through the research implied by my projects, I can establish some continuity.” Camille Henrot | MoMA
Works | Camille Henrot | König Galerie (koeniggalerie.com)
Designer: Simon Dara Studio
Release date: September 13, 2021
UNESCO – United against racism and discrimination
1 stamp, sheet of 12, info sheet, cancel
Digital
UNESCO design: Benito Cabañas / Abracadabra for UNESCO Benito Cabañas – Posters Without Borders – International Immigration Poster Exhibition
Design/Layout: Valérie Besser
Besser has created over 30 postmarks for La Poste as well has created over stamp and info sheets sets since her first in 2001.
Release date: September 20, 2021
The Earth and People: “The Earth nourishes us, let’s protect it”
4 stamps on a souvenir sheet, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
Designer: Emilie Seto Émilie Seto Illustrations (emilieseto.com)
Release date: September 20, 2021
Crafts – Plumassier
Series: Crafts started in 2016
1 stamp, sheet of 12, info sheet, cancel
Mixed intaglio offset
Plumassiers are craftspeople who work with feathers to create fashions.
The following crafts have been highlighted in this series: stone sculptor, the jeweler, the ironworker, the cabinetmaker, the leather goods manufacturer, the crystal tailor, the binder, the organ builder, the metal engraver, the stained glass artist
Designer: Hélène Cayre Helene Cayre – Art and Illustrations
“Hélène Cayre would have loved to be born when lead pencil was still the king for drawing.” Hélène Cayre – Marie Bastille Marie Bastille
This illustration is a good example Cayre’s work. She leans towards standard black and white with sparks of colour to highlight certain parts of the illustration.
Engraver: Line Filhon
Filhon designs/engraves stamps for France, TAAF, Saint Pierre and Michelon, French Polynesia and Monaco. Her first stamp was Royaumont Abbey, Val d’Oise, 2009 for La Poste. Filhon was the winner of the 2019 Ceres Trophy for best intaglio stamp – Château de Chambord. The Chambord stamp also won the 2019 Grand Prix de l’Art Philatélique in the category France – Stamps in intaglio.
Fhilhon also won the 2018 Ceres Trophy for best intaglio and Grand Prix de l’Art Philatélique – category “France – Stamps erased” for Métiers d’art – Céramiste
Release date: September 27, 2021
Citroën 2CV Stamp Festival
1 stamp, sheet of 15, info sheet
Photogravure
Citroën 2CV – Photos, details and equipment – Citroën Origins (citroenorigins.co.uk)
Designer: Sophie Beaujard
Beaujard won the Grand Prix de l’Art Philatélique in 2019 for her Montpellier stamp. She designed La Poste’s 2021 Napoleon stamp and the TAAF 43 anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.
Illustration: Albin de la Simone
Artist/musician de la Simone also designed the March Louis de Funès 1914 -1983 set. His website Shop | online gallery (dessins-albindelasimone.com) contains his artwork but if you want to enjoy his (20+) Albin de la Simone | Facebook contains up-to-date information as well as a more personal view on his art and music.
Release date: September 27, 2021
Citroën Méhari Stamp Festival
1 stamp, sheet of 15, info sheet
Intaglio
Citroën Méhari – Photos, details and equipment – Citroën Origins (citroenorigins.co.uk)
Designer: Sophie Beaujard
Illustration: Albin de la Simone
Engraver: Pierre Bara
Bara engraved his first postal stamp, La Jeanne, in 2010 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
Release date: September 27, 2021
October
Council of Europe defends freedom of expression
1 stamp, cancel, info sheet
Digital
Designer: Bruno Ghiringhelli
Lyon based graphic artist, Ghiringhelli designed over 150 stamps since 2001
Illustrator: Angel Boligán Corbo
Cuban artist Angel Boligán Corbo is a member of Cartooning for Peace. He has lived in Mexico since 1992, working for El Universal, Conozca Más and El Chamuco. Boligán Corbo is a founding member of the CARTON CLUB. He has won over 192 awards & mentions worldwide.
Release date: October 1, 2021
Gustave Roussy 1874-1948
1 stamp, sheet of 15, info sheet, cancel
Intaglio
Designer: Nancy Peña
Engraver: Pierre Bara
Release date: October 4, 2021
Tutoyer the stars
12 stamps in booklet format
Photogravure
Designer: Katy Couprie
Cool notes: the designer used a Dremel and electric engraver on plexiglass plates to create the initial design. She then used water colours and an intaglio press to complete the design. I tried to access her website but it still requires Flash so I couldn’t see the site.
Coupre and fellow artist Antonin Louchard received special permission to spend a few nights in the Louvre Museum, allowing them to paint, photograph and simply create. They published a book titled Tout un Louvre in 2005 based on their “unbridled exploration of” the museum. Tout un Louvre – Musée du Louvre Editions
Release date: October 08, 2021
Valenciennes – 94th Congress of the French Federation of Philatelic Associations
1 stamp + label, sheet of 10, 2 cancels, special philatelic card
Intaglio
Designer: Benjamin Van Blancke Van Blancke: Artist and Illustrator specializing in ink drawing
The Valenciennes is Van Blancke’s first stamp for La Poste. He also designed the Nov 2021 Jeanne Hachette souvenir sheet. Van Blanke prefers to work with pen and ink.”Benjamin Van Blancke is passionate about history and architecture. Brutalism, classical and baroque periods are all influences on his production”. Van Blancke: Artist and Illustrator specializing in ink drawing
Engraver: Pierre Albuisson
Philatelic card: Geneviève Marot genevievemarot.com
Release date: October 11, 2021
Goldrak
2 stamps on souvenir sheet, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
Goldorak | Mazinger Wiki | Fandom
Designer: Mathilde Laurent
Illustrator/creator: Kazuhiro Ochi
Release date: October 11, 2021
CNES 1961-2021
1 stamp, sheet of 15, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
Designer: David Ducros
Release date: October 11, 2021
France – Japan: Mailboxes
2 stamps on a souvenir sheet, info sheet, cancel, philatelic souvenir
Offset
Designer: Valérie Besser
Release date: October 11, 2021
Red Cross
3 stamps on a souvenir sheet, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
Designer: Ségolène Carron Ségolène Carron (segolenecarron.fr)
Carron began her graphic design career in 2012. Previous stamp design: 2015 Saint-Gobain for La Poste. As well as graphic design, Carron has created 5 typefaces.
Release date: October 22, 2021
Georges Brassens 1921-1981
1 stamp, sheet of 15, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
Designer: Valérie Besser
Photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir (1931-2010)
Leloir was renowned for his jazz and rock photographs. His portfolio, a Who’s Who of the music world, included such greats as Duke Ellington, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Thelonius Monk, Sarah Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding.
Release date: October 25, 2021
November
Notebook Together, let’s celebrate a Christmas that feels good
12 self-adhesive stamps in booklet format
Photogravure
Designer: Arobace
Release date: November 2, 2021
Autumn Philatelic Fair – First Day Show Packs
The 75th Fall Show had an number of items that included regular postal items, posters and special FDCs. If you attended the show, feel free to leave a comment below and let us know about it. Let me know if you managed to buy any of the posters. This section lists what was sold at the Salon, images are below.
- THE POSTER MARIANNE L’ENGAG
- Les POSTERS
- POSTER BLOC PEUGEOT 404 WINNER OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SOUVENIR SHEET OF THE YEAR 2020
- POSTER MARIANNE
- PREMIUM POSTCARDS
- FAIENCERIE DE GIEN
- CHARLIE CHAPLIN THE KID
- PEUGEOT 204 CABRIOLET
SALON SPECIALS
- THE SEMEUSE LINEAGE
- the notebook 50 YEARS OF THE MARIANNE DE BÉQUET
“FIRST DAY” ISSUES
- The block 1946-2021 SALON PHILATÉLIQUE D AUTOMNE
- The BOOKLET LES BOITES A TIMBRES
- The block GRANDES HEURES DE L’HISTOIRE DE FRANCE JEANNE HACHETTE -LOUIS XI
- the stamp GUSTAVE FLAUBERT 1821-1880
Lisa – ANDORRA includes
MARIANNE NOTEBOOKS
- 75 YEARS OF THE SALON PHILATÉLIQUE D’AUTOMNE
LES LISA
- FRENCH SOUTHERN AND ANTARCTIC LANDS PACK
- PACK MARIANNE DE BÉQUET
ANDORRA
- VERN, ALNUS GLUTINOSA, GLUTINOUS ALDER OR VERNE
- ANGEL, BALDAQUI DE SANT BARTOMEU, ANGE BALQAQUIN DE SAN BARTOMEU
Release date: November 4, 2021
Poster – 75 years of the Salon Philatélique d’Automne
1 poster limited run of 1,000 copies sold for 10€
Offset
Poster size: 15.7″ x 26.6″/400 x 600 mm
Understanding the symbolism and importance of Marianne
Marianne is present everywhere in France and holds a place of honor in town halls and law courts. She symbolizes the “Triumph of the Republic”, a bronze sculpture overlooking Place de la Nation in Paris. Her profile stands out on the official seal of the country. It is engraved on coins and drawn on stamps and banknotes. Marianne is considered as the most prominent depiction of the French Republic.
But who is this woman, presented, by the artist Daumier, as a mother nursing two children, or, by the sculptor Rude, as an angry warrior voicing the Marseillaise on the Arc de Triomphe, or, by the painter Delacroix, as representing Liberty leading the people on the barricades, and where does she come from? One thing is certain. Her image never leaves the French indifferent. In the last two wars, certain people worshipped her just like a saint. Others, who were anti-Republican, often dragged her name through the mud.
Why is it a woman and not a man who represents the Republic? One could find the answer to this question in the traditions and mentality of the French, suggests the historian Maurice Agulhon, who set out on a real police investigation to discover the origins of Marianne which have remainded mysterious.
To begin with, why the name? Why Marianne rather than Françoise, Mireille or Madeleine? Some people believed it came from the name of the Jesuit Mariana, the 16th century theoretician. Others thought it was the image of the wife of the politician Jean Reubell, basing their belief on an old date.
According to the story, it appears that in 1797 when seeking a pleasant name of the Republic, Barras, one of the members of the Directoire, during an evening spent at Reubell’s, asked his hostess’s name; “Marie-Anne,” she replied. “Perfect,” Barras exclaimed. “It is a short and simple name which befits the Republic just as much as yourself, Madame.”
This anecdote contradicts a recent discovery which established that the fist written mention of the name of Marianne to designate the Republic appeared in October 1792 in Puylaurens in the Tarn department near Toulouse. At that time, people used to sing a song in the Provençal dialect by the poet Guillaume Lavabre: “La guérison de Marianne” (Marianne’s recovery). Marianne – France in the United States / Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. (franceintheus.org)
Designer: Yz Yseult
Engraver for original stamp: Elsa Catelin
Release date: November 4, 2021
Premium Cards – 75 years of the Salon Philatélique d’Automne
3 pre-stamped postcards
Offset
These postcards were created for the 2021 Salon Philatélique d’Automne and sold for 5€ each
- Faïencerie de Gien
- Peugeot 204
- The Kid
Release date: November 4, 2021
LISA (75 years of the Salon Philatélique d’Automne)
2 stamp packs – 6000 packs of 4 LISA – 4,92 € (1,06 € – 1,08 € – 1,28 € – 1,50 €)
French Southern and Antarctic Territories Pack
Offset
Designer: Claude Perchat
Marianne de Becquet
Offset
Designer: Sarah Lazarevic
Lazarevic is known as a both a graphic designer and typographer. Among the typefaces she has designed are Rameau (2011) and Métallo (2005).
Previous stamps include 2021 Camille Saint-Saëns 1835-1921, 2018 Hats, 2012 Isenheim Altarpiece, and 2010 Horses.
Release date: November 4, 2021
Poster – Marianne the Committed for 75th Salon Philatélique d’Automne
Poster – numbered poster includes a block of Marianne stamps printed with gold ink
Intaglio
Poster size approx.: 8.6″ x 11.2″/220 x 286 mm
20,000 copies
Creation: Yseult YZ Digan
Designer/engraver: Elsa Catelin
Release date: November 4, 2021
Sowing the Lineage – for 75th Salon Philatélique d’Automne
Souvenir sheet of 6 stamps
Intaglio
Interesting backstory to this series:
Already well known on coins, the Semeuse line appears on stamps of common use in 1903 and will reign for twenty years before making a return in 1960. It will be found again for its centenary in 2003 and for the 3rd anniversary of the green letter in 2014. Today we celebrate the hundred years of the stamp 50 c Semeuse blue line, first published in this facial. The Sowing Lineage| The ink square (lecarredencre.fr)
Designer: Sylvie Patte and Tanguy Besset
Engraver: Claude Jumelet
Release date: November 4, 2021
Carnet Marianne 75 years of the Salon philatélique d’automne
Booklet
Designer: Yseult YZ Digan
Engraver: Elsa Catelin
Release date: November 6, 2021
50 years of the Marianne de Béquet
12 stamps in red and blue
Signature Béquet on the blue stamps typographed and red stamp intaglio
Designer: Sarah Lazarevic
Release date: November 6, 2021
Overprint – 80 Years Order of Liberation
Sheets of 30
Intaglio
Sheet inscribed THE LAST LARGE FORMAT SHEETS and each stamp inscribed Last Issue.
These are the last remaining sheets, issued 2020, of oversized sheets.
Designer: Sandrine Chimbaud
Engraver: Pierre Albuisson
Release date: November 8, 2021
Gustave Flaubert 1821-1880
1 stamp, sheets of 15, info sheet, cancel
Photogravure
Designer: Claude Perchat (cancel)
Designer: Florence Wojtyczka
Release date: November 8, 2021
Les Grandes Heures de l’Histoire de France – Jeanne Hachette v 1454 – Louis XI 1423-1483
2 stamps philatelic souvenir, info sheet, cancel
Intaglio
Designer: Benjamin Van Blancke
Engraver: Pierre Albuisson
Release date: November 8, 2021
1946 – 2021 Salon Philatélique d’Automne Souvenir Sheet
1 stamp on a souvenir sheet, info sheet
Designer: Stéphane Humbert-Basset
Engraver: Claude Jumelet
Release date: November 8, 2021
Stamp Boxes booklet
12 self-adhesive stamps in booklet format, cancel
Photogravure
This is a fun celebration of boxes designed to store stamps. To my knowledge, this is the first time any postal service has issued a stamp celebrating decorative stamp storage boxes. La Poste supplied a bit of info on the history of stamp boxes:
The first stamp boxes appeared around 1840 in Great Britain and became widespread around 1880 in various countries including France.
They are made of different materials, wood, brass, silver, gold, crystal, porcelain and also bakelite, papier-mâché, etc …
They often take various forms, such as envelopes, boxes with one or more compartments, with multiple decorations: stamps, drawings, shape of animals, … They are sometimes for several uses, storage, stamp humidifier, spring dispenser, letter scales or even with a paper cutter or blotting stamp. Booklet Stamp Boxes | The ink square (lecarredencre.fr)
Cancel designer: Arobace
Designer: Huitième Jour using photos from Musée de la Poste and loans by Danièle Dutertre.
Release date: November 8, 2021
Stamp Book 2021
book cover featuring Dora Maar
bookmark front and back
sample pages
book on the 2021 stamp program
Offset
The book covers the history behind stamp themes and unpublished issues.
Chapters:
- Art
- Literature
- Heritage
- Society
- History
- Tourism
- Nature
Includes 55 stamps & clear protective covers and a bookmark featuring “The Kid“
If you purchase this book, please let me know in the comments. It looks like a beautifully designed special album and I’d be interested in hearing from people first hand descriptions.
Release date: November 22, 2021
1521 – 2021 Christmas tree tradition – Sélestat
1 stamp, sheet of 12, info sheet, cancel, philatelic souvenir
Photogravure
1521 Christmas tree tradition – Sélestat 2021
The City of Sélestat, a humanist city in the heart of Alsace, carefully preserves in its municipal archives a register of accounts where it is reported that in 1521, it was necessary to pay the forest guards 4 schillings so that they watch over the corn* from St. Thomas, once celebrated on December 21, three days before Christmas. This is the oldest known handwritten mention to date referring to this part of the Christmas tree tradition.
1521 Christmas tree tradition – Sélestat 2021 | The ink square (lecarredencre.fr)
The decorative balls in the image are explained by the city of Sélestat:
After several tracks considered, it is the visual of the chandelier in Meisenthal balls that was retained. “Like a chandelier” is a pendant lamp composed of 173 Christmas balls in Meisenthal glass, created and designed by the City of Sélestat in partnership with the International Center of Glass Art of Meisenthal. This chandelier is visible every year in December in the Romanesque church of Sainte-Foy (12th century) in Sélestat. Suspended in the crossing of the transept, the balls with multiple colors come in counterpoint to the stained glass windows, recreating the shape of a fir tree that the light comes to animate. Official launch of the national stamp – City of Sélestat (selestat.fr)
Christmas balls of Meisenthal glass, this chandelier is a contemporary evocation of the old chandeliers of the church. image courtesy City of Sélestat
Sélestat and its fir tree – City of Sélestat (selestat.fr)
Official Website of the City of Sélestat – City of Sélestat (selestat.fr)
Designer: Bruno Ghiringhelli
Release date: November 20, 2021
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing 1926-2020
1 stamp, sheet of 15, info sheet
Intaglio
Designer/engraver: Sophie Beaujard
Release date: November 22, 2021
Josephine Baker
4 stamps on a souvenir sheet, cancel
Offset
Josephine Baker | National Women’s History Museum (womenshistory.org)
Video ‘The Story of an Awakening’: The life and times of Josephine Baker • FRANCE 24 English – YouTube
PBS documentary Josephine Baker | Living St. Louis – YouTube (about 30 min long)
Designer: Agence Huitième-Jour
Release date: November 29, 2021
December
A World in Common – 80th Anniversary of the French Development Agency (AFD)
4 stamps
Offset
Two young artists, from here and there, share their world in common in 2101.
On the occasion of its 80th anniversary, AFD gave carte blanche to 2 young artists from 2 different continents, to imagine a world in common, within the next 80 years, in 2101. Clémence Sauvage, a young French illustrator, and Alaa Satir, originally from Sudan, then created with 4 hands a garden world where creativity and solidarity make the common good flourish. Their poetry and optimism are reflected here in the composition of this unpublished collector. Collector Un monde en commun in 2101 | The ink square (lecarredencre.fr)
Artists: Clémence Sauvage (France) & Alaa Satir (Sudan)
Alaa is a member of Cartooning for Peace.
Release date: December 2, 2021
And that’s it for the year! So many amazing stamps to look at. If you enjoyed all these French stamps, make sure you stop by Musée de La Poste. It’s a great spot to learn more about French designers, stamps, history and more. They often have live broadcasts (free) with artists and engravers. The Musée is a great resource for both collectors and people who are just curious about French stamps.
Don’t forget the first half of the year – France’s 2021 stamps – Jan to June
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