Saint-Pierre and Miquelon Uncovers Remarkable Find, Detailed in "Timbres" Publication
Rewritten Article
Head over to Timbres Magazine this May and brace yourself for a lively editorial diving deep into La Poste's latest blunder! Michel Melot, the fearless editor-in-chief, doesn't mince words when calling out PostEurop for choosing "national archaeological discoveries" as the theme for the 2025 Europa millennium stamps. Philaposte, the French postal service, steps into the ring with a boneheaded move - introducing a stamp depicting a dinosaur on the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration!
Melot provides a swift smackdown, stating that philatelists are up in arms because archaeology and paleontology are two different fields. The dinosaur depiction on the stamp is a clear misstep that leaves archaeology-loving collectors scratching their heads. Philaposte promptly withdraws the dinosaur stamp, replacing it with a more appropriate representation of the Lavau oenochoe, a Greek-origin ceramic wine jug adorned with gold and silver highlights found in a 5th-century BCE tomb, unearthed in 2014-2015.
Unfortunately, the dinosaur stamp was supposed to be printed using linogravure, a procedure never used by La Poste in France. The oenochoe stamp, on the other hand, can be easily printed using offset, ensuring that the initial release date remains unchanged. France isn't the only country to suffer from philatelic faux pas, as the Republic of San Marino also released a stamp featuring a skull of Titanocetus sammarinensis, a cetacean with no human connection, causing further controversy in the philately world.
The lavishly illustrated Lavau oenochoe stamp, priced at 2.10 euros, was designed by Renaud Bernadet and printed in 720,000 copies. It will be available for purchase on Monday, May 12 and can be pre-ordered in Paris at the Carré d'Encre (13 bis rue des Mathurins, 9th arrondissement) from 10 am to 7 pm on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. Those in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin) can pre-order the stamp at the Strasbourg Fonderie post office, located at 1, rue de La Fonderie.
A Nod to the Past – The First Philatelic Block Sheet
Bertrand Sinais, a renowned philatelic historian, delves into the fascinating history of one of the world's first block sheets in the latest issue of Timbres Magazine. Issued by France on the occasion of the International Stamp Exhibition held in Paris (May 2-12, 1925), this block sheet is a fantastic tribute to its ancestor, costing 24 euros and printed in 40,000 copies.
As the premier block sheet in the worldwide philatelic community, the French block sheet stands out from its contemporaries, boasting intricate marginal ornaments and an inscription along the border. Sinais explains that, in 1925, philately had achieved the lofty heights of recognition at the highest levels of the State, with President Gaston Doumergue's portrait featured prominently in the exhibition catalog at the Louvre's Pavilion of Marsan.
The exhibition generated tremendous media attention, which led to the issuance of non-postal vignettes, postal cards, and other collectibles. Visitors flocked to buy the block sheet, and collectors were equally eager to admire the philatelic marvels on display from around the world.
The French block sheet, composed of four 5-franc stamps of the "Sage" type, went on sale at the exhibition's opening, selling for 20 francs to visitors who had already paid the 5-franc entrance fee. There were 50,000 copies initially printed, with the block selling out soon after the exhibition's conclusion, fetching 40 francs in the secondary market.
Remarkably, the block has been counterfeited numerous times, with a forged version being discovered as early as 1937. Some copies have been re-framed in blue or red and distributed freely at Philexfrance, an event promoting reproductions. The Philatelic Society of Saint-Maur and Joinville issued a commemorative block for the centennial of the "Sage" type and the 50th anniversary of the Paris 1925 block sheet.
UNRWA – Postal Consequences in Palestine
Jean-Louis Emmenegger, editor-in-chief of the quarterly Swiss magazine Rhône Philately, delves into the postal implications of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Palestine since 1949.
Emmenegger starts by recounting the creation of the UNSCOP (United Nations Special Committee On Palestine) in May 1947, which published a report written by UN delegates who visited the area. The United Nations General Assembly voted resolution 181 in November 1947, calling for the creation of two independent states – one Jewish and one Arab.
The article showcases an official UNSCOP envelope posted in Jerusalem in July 1947, offering a snapshot of this historical moment. Rare examples of these envelopes can be found among philatelic collectors today.
Emmenegger then focuses on the State of Israel, which was born on May 14, 1948, forcing Palestinian Arabs to flee their lands and seek refuge in neighboring countries. The UN decided in late December 1949 to create the UNRWA to aid these refugees.
Postal pieces with the UNRWA's regional offices in Beirut (Lebanon) and Amman (Jordan) have been collected by philatelists, featuring stamps from these countries and oversized envelopes bearing specific headings. UNRWA sometimes also affixed its violet administrative stamp on the front of these envelopes.
The article goes on to explore the postal history of the Gaza Strip, which once belonged to Egypt (1948-1967) and has since been under the control of the Palestinian Authority (under the Oslo Accords). Notable pieces, such as an official UNRWA envelope bearing the mention "Gaza, Palestine via UAR," were sent registered to Geneva, postmarked with Egyptian cancellations.
Overall, Emmenegger's article offers fascinating insights into the complexities of postal services in the region and the intriguing posts sent by the UNRWA.
Rare Stamps from the French Establishments in India
François Chauvin, a historian, examines postal services for the French Establishments in India in the latest issue of Timbres Magazine. He delves into the archives of the five trading posts – Pondichéry, Karikal, Yanaon, Mahé, and Chandernagor – to understand the coexistence of two separate postal systems in this territory.
The article establishes that postal communications in French colonies were handled by two distinct services: the French post office, operated by the tax service, and the English post office. The French post office, with only a few factors and no uniform, was installed in a room of the tax service buildings. The English post office was established simultaneously in both British India and French territories in 1854.
Chauvin details the unique postal history of this situation, spanning France's recovery of these territories from Dupleix in 1817 up until the 1941 census. The French Establishments in India (EFI) had approximately 285,000 inhabitants, making up for about 0.05% of British India's population, with Pondichéry accounting for over half of the total EFI population.
The article provides a brief exploration of the postal agreements and arrangements between the two postal systems, leading to a captivating narrative that brings the history of the French establishments in India to life.
A New Chapter for the Paris Postal Museum
Michel Melot interviews Guillaume Goy, the new director of the Paris Postal Museum, in a revealing conversation that will resonate strongly with philatelists. Goy, a "historic" postman with a postal mother and an antique dealer father, holds a DEA in modern letters and cultural mediation, as well as a museum degree. He began his career at La Poste in 2000 as a financial advisor after working as a letter carrier and cashier during his studies.
Recently appointed as the market director of the delegated network in the overseas department, Goy boasts a unique perspective that few of his predecessors had. Expressing a genuine love for the artistic series of France, Goy is determined to put philately back at the heart of the museum's concerns. In his vision, philatelists are passionate individuals who cherish La Poste, its history, and its culture.
Goy aims to cater to collectors by focusing on aspects such as costumes, postal history, mail art, and various means of transport. He also plans to participate in major philatelic events, including the Spring and Autumn Salons, to connect with key players in the philately world, such as the Academy, Federation, dealers, and publishers.
Goy asserts that the museum will continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of philatelists as it heads towards its 80th anniversary, announcing plans to host a major exhibition on collection methods and the issues of transmission. Philatelists can look forward to exciting developments and collaborations over the coming months as the museum seeks to strengthen its connection with the philately community.
Other notable features of the magazine include an analysis of fluorescent stamps, a forensic investigation into shipwrecked English mailboats carrying opium cases, and the third installment of the animated drawings series on postcards, pre-stamped envelopes, and other fascinating items of cartophilic interest.
- Michel Melot criticizes PostEurop for choosing "national archaeological discoveries" as the theme for the 2025 Europa millennium stamps, claiming it's incorrect to mix archaeology and paleontology.
- The dinosaur stamp, planned to be printed using linogravure, was a misstep that left archaeology-loving collectors confused, leading to its withdrawal by Philaposte.
- Regarding the European philatelic scene, the Republic of San Marino also faced controversy by releasing a stamp featuring a cetacean skull with no human connection.
- The Lavau oenochoe stamp, designed by Renaud Bernadet and printed in 720,000 copies, is priced at 2.10 euros and will be available for purchase from May 12, with pre-orders taking place in Paris and Strasbourg.
- Bertrand Sinais' article in Timbres Magazine explores the fascinating history of one of the world's first block sheets, issued by France in 1925 for the International Stamp Exhibition held in Paris.
- In an article about UNRWA postal implications in Palestine, Jean-Louis Emmenegger highlights significant moments in the region's postal history, from the creation of UNSCOP to the impact of the Palestinian refugee crisis.
- François Chauvin examines the postal services of the French Establishments in India, discussing the coexistence of two separate postal systems in the territory from 1817 to 1941. The article offers insights into the unique postal history of this situation.
