France 1870 Ceres Bordeaux Issue 20c Blue
France · 1870 · 20c
This definitive stamp features a profile of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. The design, originally created by Jacques-Jean Barre, is surrounded by agricultural symbols like grapes and wheat, symbolizing France's prosperity. This particular issue is known as the 'Bordeaux issue' as it was printed in Bordeaux during the Franco-Prussian War.
Issued during the Siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War, the provisional government relocated to Bordeaux and printed these stamps to maintain postal services. The crude printing (lithography for some values, typography for others) reflects the difficult wartime conditions.
Printing Method
Typography
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View on Wikimedia CommonsEstimated 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.
