France, postage stamps issued before 1900

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1853-60. Napoleon III. Legend EMPIRE FRANC. Letterpress. Imperforate.

Types: 20 c., blue
TI, TII		Types can be distinguished by three hairlines on the Emperor’s head: Type I: short and convex 3rd hairline on the right from the Emperor’s eye (1), the 4th hairline above the Emperor’s ear helix ends exactly above the ear helix (2), the hairline in the center of the Emperor’s head is short (3).
Constant varieties, 20 c., blue
I		POSTFS instead of POSTES, the lower part of the zero of the left denomination is broken.

 

POSSIBLE CONSTANT VARIETIES (not mentioned in available literature)
20 c., blue
1	The thin horizontal line behind the emperor’s head.
2	Small dot connecting letter F in FRANC with inner white frame.
3	The second letter E in EMPIRE deformed, white spot below the dot between the letters EMPIRE and FRANC.
4	A white triangular spot below the dot between the letter S and numeral 2.
5	The lowest horizontal stroke of the second letter E in EMPIRE is thick, letter R in FRANC is almost completely white.
6	The top outer frame is broken in several areas, medallion with the emperor’s portrait is connected with a lower white frame by a vertical line.
7	The second letter S in POSTES is deformed.
8	A blue dot on the second vertical line of the letter N in FRANC.
9	Multiple scratches on the top and bottom inscriptions.
10	Letter R in FRANC is broken on top.

 

1862. Napoleon III. Legend EMPIRE FRANC. Letterpress. Perforation 14 x 13½.

POSSIBLE CONSTANT VARIETIES (not mentioned in available literature)
20 c., blue
1	The horizontal stroke of the left numeral 2 is missing.
2	The lower frame below the letters PO and S in POSTES is broken.
3	A blue dot above the letter M in EMPIRE, a small incision in the lower frame between the letter S and numeral 2.
4	The left letter C of the denomination is broken at the bottom.
5	The top frame above the letter M of EMPIRE is deformed.
6	The white spot above the dot before the letter E of EMPIRE deforms the top frame.
6	Thin inscriptions, letters of top inscription damaged.
7	Thin inscriptions, letter F in FRANC damaged.
8	A thin line between the letters N and C in FRANC touches the lower frame.
9	White spot in the medallion in front of the emperor’s nose.

 

COINCIDENTAL VARIETIES
Perforation errors
Probably foreign object on the printing plate

 

1863-70. Napoleon III. Legend EMPIRE FRANC. Letterpress. Perforation 14 x 13½

Types of 10 c. and 20 c.
TI & TII		Small and large dots on the lower ribbon.

 

POSSIBLE CONSTANT VARIETIES (not mentioned in available literature)
20 c., blue
1	Multiple big white spots deforming the left frame.
2a	Thin line connecting the letter C in FRANCAIS and the inner white frame.
2b	Thin line connecting the letter C in FRANCAIS and the inner white frame, the letter R in FRANCAIS is almost completely white.
3	White spot (smoke) in front of Napoleon’s nose.

 

COINCIDENTAL VARIETIES
Perforation shifts

 

1871-75. Ceres. Legend REPUB FRANC. Letterpress. Perforation 14 x 13½

Types of 10 c., 15 c., 30 c. and 80 c.
TI, TII		Small and large numerals on the lower ribbon.
Types of 25 c., blue
TI, TII, TIII		There are three types of this stamp as it was printed on different plates: Type I: stamp without the following indications. Type II: colored dot on the left side of the upper right rosette, exactly on the vertical line, white dot under the lower left leaf of the lower right rosette. Type III: colored dot on the upper left leaf of the upper left rosette, colored dots on both upper upper leaves of the upper right rosette.

 

POSSIBLE CONSTANT VARIETIES (not mentioned in available literature)
25 c., blue
1	Letter A in FRANC is damaged.
2	The top outer frame above the letter U in REPUB is broken.
3	Dot before R of REPUB prolonged by a thin line.
4	The top frame above the inscription REPUB is damaged, upper right corner is broken.

 

COINCIDENTAL VARIETIES
Perforation errors

 

1876-78. Peace and Commerce (type Sage). Letterpress. Perforation 14 x 13½

Types of 2 c., 5 c., 10 c., 15 c., 25 c., 30 c., 75 c. and 1 f.
TI, TII		Type I: The letter “N” of the inscription “J A SAGE INV” is exactly under the letter “B” of “REPUBLIQUE”. Type II: The letter “N” is under the letter “U” of “REPUBLIQUE”.

 

COINCIDENTAL VARIETIES
Perforation shifts

1877-80. Peace and Commerce (type Sage). Letterpress. Perforation 14 x 13½

PERFORATION VARIETIES
Type 15 c., perforation 14:13 ¼

 

References

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1. Yvert & Tellier 2006, Tome 1, Timbres de France, ISBN 2-86814-149-8
2. Michel West- und Mitteleuropa 2005/2006, Schwaneberger Verlag GmbH, ISBN 3-87858-681-7