France’s first stamps picture Roman goddess Ceres

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

France has long been popular with American collectors. One of the most important countries of Europe from the 15th to the 20th centuries, France looms large in our history as both a colonial power and the first ally of the nascent United States.

The French alliance was a primary factor in the success of the American Revolution. It was France that sold the Louisiana Purchase territory to the United States, virtually doubling the size of the country overnight. French cultural and linguistic influence remains strong in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast as well as in Maine, Vermont, New York and New Hampshire near the border with Quebec. France’s contributions in literature, science and the arts are known and appreciated worldwide.

France issued its first stamps in 1849-50. The first set of definitives featured the Roman goddess Ceres in the design. Ceres was the goddess of grain, crops, agriculture, and pastoral, agricultural and human fertility. We get our name for edible grains, cereal, from this Roman goddess. The choice of the design subject reflects both the importance of French agriculture and the lingering influence of the Roman Empire in Gaul, which eventually became France.

France’s first Scott-listed stamp, the 10-centime bister Ceres stamp on yellowish paper, is also popular with collectors of Scott No. 1s of the world. The imperforate stamp was printed by typography on unwatermarked paper. This stamp is very similar in design to French Colonies Scott No. 9. It is also easily confused with France Scott No. 42 from the Bordeaux issue.

France Scott No. 1 is generally browner with sharper printing, and the numerals and lettering are wider. Scott No. 42 is more yellowish with blurry printing and more narrow lettering, especially the “0” in the “10.”

The Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940 values a France No. 1 stamp without faults in very fine grade (four margins) at $1,500 in unused, original gum condition and at $210 in used condition. An attractively canceled used example in very fine grade is a good buy at $150 to $175. Used examples should have an identifiable French cancellation rather than one from a colony. Stamps offered as having original gum should be expertized.

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