French Colonies General Issues, Eagle Type

French Colonies · 1859 · 10c

This stamp features the crowned imperial eagle of Napoleon III, a design common to the general issues for all French colonies at the time. The inscription reads 'COLONIES DE L'EMPIRE FRANCAIS' and 'POSTES'. This was the first stamp issued specifically for use across the French colonial empire.

Issued under the Second French Empire of Napoleon III, this stamp standardized postage across France's diverse and expanding colonial territories, replacing various local or French domestic stamps.