France 1902 'The Sower' (La Semeuse) by Oscar Roty

France · 1902 · 15c

This definitive stamp features the iconic 'La Semeuse' (The Sower) design by Oscar Roty. The allegorical figure of a woman sowing seeds represents the fertility and agricultural strength of France, with the rising sun in the background symbolizing a new era. This specific issue is the 'Semeuse lignée' (Sower with lines), distinguished by the lined background.

Issued during the French Third Republic, the Sower design became one of the most enduring symbols of France, appearing on its stamps and coins for decades. It represented national pride and the country's deep agricultural roots at the turn of the 20th century.