France 1900 Mouchon Type Stamp

France · 1900 · 15c

This stamp features the Mouchon design, an allegory of the Rights of Man. A seated female figure, representing Liberty, holds a tablet inscribed 'DROITS DE L'HOMME' (Rights of Man) and a level, symbolizing equality. This design replaced the earlier Sage 'Peace and Commerce' type and was part of a series issued at the turn of the 20th century.

Issued at the beginning of the 20th century, this series reflected the French Third Republic's strong emphasis on secular, republican values, such as liberty, equality, and the rights of man, following the divisive Dreyfus Affair.