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.