France 1970 Stamp Day: Mail Coach and Postilion
France · 1970 · 50c + 10c
This semi-postal stamp, issued for Stamp Day 1970, features a dynamic engraving of a 19th-century mail coach, known as a 'Malle-Poste', drawn by a team of horses. A postilion, the rider on the lead horse, guides the coach at speed. The design celebrates the history of the French postal service and the vital role of horse-drawn mail delivery.
Issued during a period of modernization, this stamp looks back nostalgically at the pre-railroad era of mail transport, highlighting the speed and dedication required to deliver correspondence across the country.
Printing Method
Engraved
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.
