France Ceres 1 franc vermilion tête-bêche pair
France · 1849 · 1 franc
This legendary pair features two 1 franc stamps from France's first issue, one printed upside-down in relation to the other. The design depicts Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, wearing a garland of wheat and grapes, symbolizing the agricultural wealth of the French Republic. The vibrant vermilion color is a key characteristic of this issue.
Issued in 1849 during the Second Republic of France, the Ceres series were the first postage stamps of the country. Tête-bêche pairs are printing errors that occurred when a cliché was inverted in the printing plate, making them exceptionally scarce.
Printing Method
Typography
Catalog Numbers
Estimated Values by Condition
Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults
Well centered, fresh colors
Nicely centered, minor flaws
Average centering, acceptable
Off-center or visible wear
Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.
