France Postage Due Stamp, Unpaid Letter

France · 1859 · 10c

This is the first postage due stamp issued by France, featuring a simple typographic design. The central element is the large numeral '10' indicating the centimes due, framed by ornate scrollwork. The inscription 'CHIFFRE TAXE' appears at the top, meaning 'figure to be paid', and 'PERCEVOIR' at the bottom, meaning 'to collect'.

Issued under Napoleon III, this stamp standardized the collection of insufficient postage, ensuring the recipient, rather than the postal service, covered the shortfall. This system was crucial for the efficiency of the developing postal network.