France 20 Centimes Ceres (Bordeaux Issue)
France · 1870 · 20 C.
The stamp features a profile of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, facing left, with 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' at the top and 'EMPIRE FRANCAIS' at the bottom, flanked by 'POSTES' and the denomination '20 C.'. It is printed in blue.
This is a provisional issue from the Siege of Paris (1870-1871), used for mail carried by 'ballons montés' (manned balloons) to circumvent the Prussian blockade. It represents a unique and desperate postal service during wartime.
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Catalog Numbers
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Antonio_Nurra&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="User:Antonio Nurra (page does not exist)">Antonio Nurra</a> · License: Public domain
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.
