Cinderella 1981 - 30th Anniversary of the World of Philatelists

Last year it was brought to my attention by a fellow Decaris lover that the master actually engraved a stunning cinderella mini-sheet, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the World of Philatelists. I was, as you can well imagine, very keen to track down my own copy of the cinderella. Surprisingly, it didn't take very long to track down. Why I had never stumbled across it before, is still a mystery to me. 

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This great mini-sheet was issued in 1981. The dominant feature of this mini-sheet is a pair of hands holding up the world. To the left we see one of Decaris' favourite subjects, Notre Dame Cathedral, located on Ile-de-France, Paris. It even includes a ship at the centre top. I adore this cinderella! 

Interestingly, each mini-sheet has a number stamped on the reverse, which provides us with a bit of a clue as to how many of these bad boys were printed. Below are images of the reverse of my copy and that of my friend, mentioned above (he happens to have a stamp blog too. Click HERE to take a look). 

Until next time...

I Muse...On Returning to the Hobby of Kings

Hi everyone! As the title suggests, I'm back! It was only the other day that I realised it has been over a year since I've written a stamp-related blog post. The last year and a half of my life has been a swirling vortex of turmoil - and that's putting it mildly! My whole existence pretty much changed overnight and in order to cope, I tended to place things that reminded me of the past, way up high n the shelves of my of my mind. Stamp collecting being one of the things that were shelved. Instead I explored other hobbies I have a passion for that didn't have that "past life" stigma attached to them. I've gotten back into modelling and I've even dipped my toe into the fascinating world of tabletop wargaming. But I have missed my stamp collecting, and I've only recently come to realise that there is now room in my world for both of my hobby passions! Anywho, enough rambling...

Since this is my first blog post back I thought I'd kick things off with a bang by revealing some eye candy in the form of some postal covers I scanned last year but never got around to publishing. Enjoy guys! And I'll see you soon with one of my regular blog posts.

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This gorgeous cover actually features the talents of a few stamp engravers, but for the purposes of this blog, I draw your attention to the stamp affixed to the top right of the cover. This stamp, designed and engraved by Albert Decaris, features the ocean liner, SS Pasteur. This stamp was issued in France on 17 May 1941. For more detailed coverage of this stamp, click HERE.

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This next cover, which again features several lovely stamps, includes a stamp from Albert Decaris' History of France series. This stamp, designed and engraved by Albert Decaris, was issued 18 November 1968. It depicts the iconic figure, Joan of Arc as she departs Vaucouleurs in 1429.

Until next time...

France 1958 - Heroes of the Resistance (Part 4 - Jacques Bingen)

It is defined as the act of fighting against something that is attacking you, or refusing to accept something. This is resistance. And perhaps none typify and deserve the distinction of this title than the French Resistance, La Résistance in French.

It all began in the summer of 1940. The Nazis had barnstormed into France and the swastika was now flying high in Paris from such prominent places as the Hôtel de Ville and on top of the Eiffel Tower. Amid this turmoil, a prominent French writer by the name of Jean Cassou, penned the words, refus absurde "absurd refusal". Little did he know, these words would inspire the proud citizens of France to rise up against the Nazi intruders in any way possible. Thus the Resistance was born. The Resistance was for the most part organised into small groups of men and women who engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Nazis. Additionally, they published underground newspapers, established effective intelligence networks, and maintained escape routes for Allied soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. For more detailed information on the Resistance, click HERE.

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Jacques Bingen was a vital and high-ranking member of the French Resistance. Born in Paris on 16 March 1908, Bingen trained as an engineer at the École des mines de Paris. Interestingly, he was the brother-in-law of André Citroën, the famous car maker. Between 1930-1931, he served in the artillery branch of the French Army. Then in 1935 he was appointed director of the French shipping company, Société Anonyme de Gérance et d'Armement.

In 1939 at the onset of World War II, he was drafted back into the French Army. He fought in the Battle of France, and was wounded on 12 June 1940 at Saint-Valery-en-Caux. Following the surrender of France, he found his way to British-held Gibraltar, and from there he went to England in July. After joining the Free French under General Charles de Gaulle, he was put in charge of its burgeoning merchant marines. But he wasn't happy in this role. He craved action and desperately wanted to fight for France in a more active way. So, on 1 October 1941 he resigned and joined the Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action, which was the Free French intelligence service. On 16 August 1943, his wish for more action manifested when he "parachuted into France to help organize and unite the various disparate groups that comprised the Resistance" (Wikipedia). Also worth note, he was instrumental in the creation of the French Forces of the Interior in February 1944. 

But, as we have seen in the previous parts of this series, success in the Resistance brings one to the attention of the Gestapo. On 12 May 1944, Jacques Bingen was betrayed by Belgian double agent Alfred Dormal. He was captured at Clermont-Ferrand. To avoid the risk of breaking under torture, he committed suicide at Chamalières by swallowing a capsule of cyanide. Bingen was honoured for his service to his country posthumously with the Ordre de la Libération award. He also now has a street in the 17th arrondissement of Paris named after him.

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On 21 April 1958, France issued the second set of stamps in a series titled Heroes of the Resistance. This set comprised four stamps. All stamps were designed by Albert Decaris, but he only engraved two. To look at the first three parts in this stamp series, click on the links Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. In this blog we shall study the fourth and final stamp in the set depicting Jacques Bingen. This stamp was designed by Albert Decaris and engraved by Jean Pheulpin. This tasteful design features the face of an intelligent, resourceful, and brave individual. A great stamp!

Until next time...

France 1958 - Heroes of the Resistance (Part 3 - Simone Michel-Lévy)

It is defined as the act of fighting against something that is attacking you, or refusing to accept something. We are of course talking about resistance. And perhaps none typify and deserve the distinction of this title than the French Resistance, La Résistance in French.

It all began in the summer of 1940. The Nazis had barnstormed into France and the swastika was now flying high in Paris from such prominent places as the Hôtel de Ville and on top of the Eiffel Tower. Amid this turmoil, a prominent French writer by the name of Jean Cassou, penned the words, refus absurde "absurd refusal". Little did he know, these words would inspire the proud citizens of France to rise up against the Nazi intruders in any way possible. Thus the Resistance was born. The Resistance was for the most part organised into small groups of men and women who engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Nazis. Additionally, they published underground newspapers, established effective intelligence networks, and maintained escape routes for Allied soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. For more detailed information on the Resistance, click HERE.

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Simone Michel-Lévy, born 19 January 1906, worked for the French Resistance as a communications expert. Her role as regional director of telephone communications in Paris allowed her to set up an intelligence network pivotal to the war effort. In the course of her duties she established an important radio intelligence network between Paris and Normandy, which was used in the preparations for the D-Day invasion. She was also responsible for the creation of a covert courier system to get vital messages to England where the Free France movement was based, led by General Charles de Gaulle. Like most influential Resistance fighters, Simone Michel-Lévy came to the attention of the Gestapo. On 5 November 1943 she was arrested and tortured. But she didn't crack, and gave the Gestapo nothing. Realising they'd get nothing from this formidable woman, the Gestapo had her deported to Ravensbrück, then Flossenbürg. While in prison, she managed to organise an uprising against the camp guards. Unfortunately, she was caught and hanged on 13 April 1945, just ten days before the camp was liberated by the Allies. A sad end for a tremendously courageous woman.

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On 21 April 1958, France issued the second set of stamps in a series titled Heroes of the Resistance. This set comprised four stamps. All stamps were designed by Albert Decaris, but he only engraved two. To look at the first two parts in this set, click on the links Part 1, Part 2. In this blog we shall study the third stamp in the set depicting Simone Michel-Lévy. This stamp was designed and engraved by Albert Decaris.

This very poignant portrait is based on Simone Michel-Lévy's prison mugshot. Decaris has really managed to capture her mask of immense strength, determination, and willpower that saw her confront Gestapo torturers without yielding a shard of information. Note also the striped prison shirt she is wearing. A respectful tribute to an incredibly brave woman.

Until next time...