France 20 Centimes Ceres, 1849

France · 1849 · 20 centimes

The stamp features a left-facing allegorical bust of Ceres, goddess of agriculture, wearing a wreath of wheat and grapes, with 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' above and 'POSTES 20 C' below.

This stamp is one of France's first adhesive postage stamps, issued shortly after the Second Republic was established, marking a significant step in postal reform and national identity. The cancellation indicates it was used in Brussels, suggesting international postal activity.