France Postage Due, Chiffres-Taxe Type

France · 1882 · 15c

This stamp is a classic French postage due issue, known as the 'Chiffres-Taxe' type. The design is purely functional, featuring the large numeral '15' for the centime value, framed by ornate typographic elements. The inscriptions 'CHIFFRES TAXE' and 'A PERCEVOIR' indicate its purpose: to collect insufficient postage from the recipient.

Issued in the late 19th century, these stamps were a standard part of the French postal system, ensuring that the postal service was properly compensated for underpaid mail. This design type was long-lived, seeing use for several decades.