The French Republic is situated in Europe and is one of the world’s leading industrial powers. To the northwest is the English Channel, to the west, the Bay of Biscay, its southern land border is Spain, and to the south east is the Mediterranean Sea. Its land borders to the east consist of Monaco, Italy and Switzerland and to the northeast Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. To the north it has a small sea border with the North Sea. Its overseas territories consist of French Guyana and several island territories in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its capital is Paris.
The country has seen 4 Republics in charge, the first being under Napoleon in the 19th century. Since 1958, the 5th Republic led by Charles de Gaulle was formed and remains to this day. About 83 million foreign tourists visit France every year, more than any other country in the world. It is a highly developed country and a world power.

The first postage stamp series of France was the Ceres series issued in 1849. These stamps appear regularly on modern commemorative issues. The Ceres have been redesigned on several occasions over the years, first as the cost was too high. Even the logo of the French philatelic service used the Ceres head.
Tête-bêche is a French term which means “tumble” or “head to toe”. In philately, this term refers to booklet stamps where some of the stamps are printed upside down. In French philately, this refers to some of the greatest rarities in the world. The tête-bêche pairs printed between 1849 and 1875 on French stamps were not manufactured in this way intentionally. They are “plate errors of extreme rarity”.
The three items pictured above have a 2012 Scott catalogue value of $543 000.
1849
Napoleon III Series
SG # 17
Used (Hinged)
SG # 18
Used (Hinged)
SG # 22
Used (Hinged)
SG # 23
Used (Hinged)
1870
Ceres Series
SG # 187
Used (Hinged)
1876
Peace and Commerce Series
SG # 245
Used (Hinged)
SG # 248
Used (Hinged)
SG # 251
Used (Hinged)
SG # 252
Used (Hinged)
SG # 282
Used (Hinged)
SG # 284
Used (Hinged)
SG # 232
Used (Hinged)
SG # 279
Used (Hinged)
SG # 234
Used (Hinged)
SG # 262
Used (Hinged)
SG # 263
Used (Hinged)
SG # 237
Used (Hinged)
SG # 223
Used (Hinged)
SG # 240
Used (Hinged)
1900
Blanc, Mouchon and Olivier Merson Series
SG # 288
Used (Hinged)
SG # 289
Used (Hinged)
SG # 290
Used (Hinged)
SG # 292a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 295
Used (Hinged)
SG # 300
Used (Hinged)
SG # 301
Used (Hinged)
SG # 303
Used (Hinged)
SG # 304
Used (Hinged)
SG # 305
Used (Hinged)
SG # 369
Used (Hinged)
SG # 307
Used (Hinged)
1902
Mouchon Series (Redrawn)
SG # 310
Used (Hinged)
SG # 311
Used (Hinged)
1903
Sower Series
SG # 314
Used (Hinged)
SG # 316
Used (Hinged)
SG # 317
Used (Hinged)
SG # 320
Used (Hinged)
1906
Sower Series (Ground below feet)
SG # 325
Used (Hinged)
Sower Series (No Ground below feet)
SG # 331
Used (Hinged)
SG # 333
Used (Hinged)
SG # 337
Used (Hinged)
SG # 339
Used (Hinged)
SG # 343
Used (Hinged)
SG # 345
Used (Hinged)
1919
Blanc Series (Surcharge)
SG # 379
Used (Hinged)
1920
Various Scenes Series
SG # 497
Used (Hinged)
SG # 498
Used (Hinged)
SG # 499
Used (Hinged)
SG # 380
Used (Hinged)
SG # 380
Used (Hinged)
SG # 500
Used (Hinged)
SG # 381
Used (Hinged)
SG # 501
Used (Hinged)
SG # 413a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 414
Used (Hinged)

SG # 415
Used (Hinged)
SG # 415b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 382a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 416
Used (Hinged)
SG # 505
Used (Hinged)
SG # 417
Used (Hinged)
SG # 418
Used (Hinged)
SG # 418a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 418b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 419
Used (Hinged)
SG # 592
Used (Hinged)
SG # 421
Used (Hinged)
SG # 384
Used (Hinged)
SG # 385
Used (Hinged)
SG # 422
Used (Hinged)
SG # 423
Used (Hinged)
SG # 425
Used (Hinged)
SG # 428a
Used (Hinged)
1923
Pasteur Series
SG # 396
Used (Hinged)
SG # 396a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 397
Used (Hinged)
SG # 397a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 398
Used (Hinged)
SG # 399
Used (Hinged)
SG # 400
Used (Hinged)
SG # 400b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 400c
Used (Hinged)
SG # 400d
Used (Hinged)
1924
Olympic Games Series
SG#401
Used (Hinged)
SG # 402
Used (Hinged)
International Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art dated 1925 Series
SG # 407
Used (Hinged)
SG # 408
Used (Hinged)
SG # 410
Used (Hinged)
SG # 411
Used (Hinged)
1926
Various Frames Series (Surcharge with new value and bars)
SG # 433
Used (Hinged)
1927
Birth Centenary of Berthelot Series
SG # 457
Used (Hinged)
1929
The 500th Anniversary of Relief of Orleans Series
SG # 469
Used (Hinged)
Views Series
SG # 470a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 471
Used (Hinged)
SG # 472
Used (Hinged)
SG # 473a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 474b
Used (Hinged)
1930
Centenary of French Conquest of Algiers Series
SG # 479
Used (Hinged)
Exposition Coloniale Internationale de Paris Series
SG # 488
Used (Hinged)
SG # 489
Used (Hinged)
SG # 490
Used (Hinged)
SG # 491
Used (Hinged)
SG # 492
Used (Hinged)

1932
Peace Series
SG # 502
Used (Hinged)
SG # 506
Used (Hinged)
SG # 507
Used (Hinged)
SG # 508
Used (Hinged)
SG # 509
Used (Hinged)
SG # 509a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 510
Used (Hinged)
SG # 512
Used (Hinged)
SG # 512a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 513a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 514
Used (Hinged)
SG # 515
Used (Hinged)
1933
Portraits Series
SG # 516
Used (Hinged)
1934
4th Century of Cartier’s Discovery of Canada Series
SG # 522
Used (Hinged)
Air Series, 25th Anniversary of Channel Flight
SG # 523
Used (Hinged)
Twig of Peace Series (Surcharge in Figures and Bars)
SG # 524
Used (Hinged)
1935
Breton River Scene Series
SG # 525
Used (Hinged)
Maiden Trip of Liner Normandie Series
SG # 526
Used (Hinged)
St Trophime in Arles Series
SG # 527
Used (Hinged)
Tercentenary of the French Academy by Richelieu Series
SG # 530
Used (Hinged)
Death Tercentenary of Callot, Engraver Series
SG # 531
Used (Hinged)
1936
Air Series
SG # 535
Used (Hinged)
SG # 537
Used (Hinged)
SG # 538
Used (Hinged)
Death Centenary of Ampere Series
SG # 543
Used (Hinged)
Daudet’s Mill in Fontvieille Series
SG # 544
Used (Hinged)
Death Centenary of Rouget de Lisles Series (Composer of the Marseillaise)
SG#548
Used (Hinged)
Jaures Commemoration Series
SG # 552
Used (Hinged)
100th Flight between France & South America Series
SG # 553
Used (Hinged)
Paris International Exhibition Series
SG # 556
Used (Hinged)
SG # 557
Used (Hinged)
SG # 558
Used (Hinged)
SG # 560
Used (Hinged)
1937
Chamonix-Mont Blanc Skiing Week Series
SG # 567
Used (Hinged)
Paris International Exhibition Series
SG # 569
Used (Hinged)
Mermoz Commemoration Series
SG # 571
Used (Hinged)
13th International Railway Congress, Paris Series
SG # 573
Used (Hinged)
300th Anniversary of Publication of “Discours” Series, Wrongly Inscribed “Discours de la Methode”
SG # 574
Used (Hinged)
150th Anniversary of US Constitution Series
SG # 589
Used (Hinged)
Opening of the Col de L’Iseran Road Series
SG # 590
Used (Hinged)
1938
Ceres Series
SG # 591
Used (Hinged)

Various Scenes Series
SG # 595
Used (Hinged)
SG # 596
Used (Hinged)
SG # 597
Used (Hinged)
SG # 598
Used (Hinged)
SG # 599
Used (Hinged)
SG # 600
Used (Hinged)
Clement Ader (Aviation Pioneer) Series
SG # 612a
Used (Hinged)
£55 as per SG 1995
Visit of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth to France Series
SG # 615
Used (Hinged)
French Refugee’s Fund Series
SG # 616
Used (Hinged)
Mercury Series Inscribed “Republique Francaise”
SG # 620
Used (Hinged)
SG # 621
Used (Hinged)
SG # 623
Used (Hinged)
SG # 624
Used (Hinged)
SG # 626
Used (Hinged)
SG # 629
Used (Hinged)
1939
New York World’s Fair Series
SG # 638
Used (Hinged)
Iris Series
SG # 643
Used (Hinged)
SG # 643a
Used (Hinged)
International Water Exhibition Series, Liege
SG # 644
Used (Hinged)
1941
Marshal Petain Series, Various Frames
SG # 718
Used (Hinged)
SG # 720
Used (Hinged)
SG # 721
Used (Hinged)
SG # 725a
Used (Hinged)
1942
Marshal Petain Series
SG # 745
Used (Hinged)
1943
Provincial Coats of Arms Series
SG # 776
Used (Hinged)
1945
Various Frames Series
SG # 905
Used (Hinged)
SG # 909
Used (Hinged)
SG # 911
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 913
Used (Hinged)
SG # 914
Used (Hinged)
SG # 916
Used (Hinged)
SG # 917
Used (Hinged)
SG # 918
Used (Hinged)
SG # 919
Used (Hinged)
SG # 920
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1001
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1006
Used (Hinged)
SG # 928
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1007b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1002
Used (Hinged)
SG # 921
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1004
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1004b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1005
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1005a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1006
Used (Hinged)
SG # 928
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1007
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1007b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1007c
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1007d
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1007e
Used (Hinged)
1946
Air Series
SG # 967
Used (Hinged)
SG # 968
Used (Hinged)
Provincial Coats of Arms Series
SG # 971
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 972
Used (Hinged)
SG # 973
Used (Hinged)

Views Series
SG # 978
Used (Hinged)
SG # 980
Used (Hinged)
SG # 981
Used (Hinged)
SG # 982a
Used (Hinged)
Peace Conference Series
SG # 984
Used (Hinged)
1949
Various Frames Series of 1945 (Surcharge “5F” & Value Cancellation Bars)
SG # 1044
Used (Hinged)
Provincial Coats of Arms Series
SG # 1051
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1052
Used (Hinged)
Views Series
SG # 1058
Used (Hinged)
Views Series
SG # 1067
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1068
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1068b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1069
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1070
Used (Hinged)
1951
Textile Industry Series
SG # 1109
Used (Hinged)
French Veterinary Research Series
SG # 1119
Used (Hinged)
Provincial Coats of Arms Series
SG # 1121
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1123
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1124
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1124
Used (Hinged)
M. Nogues Series (Aviator)
SG # 1128
Used (Hinged)
Famous French Poets Series
SG # 1130
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1131
Used (Hinged)
United Nations General Assembly Series
SG # 1133
Used (Hinged)
1953
Literary Figures & National Industries Series
SG # 1162
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1167a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1167a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1169
Used (Hinged)
Provincial Coats of Arms Series
SG # 1183
Used (Hinged)
1954
Air Series
SG # 1194
Used (Hinged)
Various Scenes Series
SG # 1201e
Used (Hinged)
Views Series
SG # 1205
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1207
Used (Hinged) (Damaged)
SG # 1208
Used (Hinged)
Provincial Coats of Arms Series
SG # 1229
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1230
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1231
Used (Hinged)
1955
“France” Series
SG # 1238
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1238b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1238c
Used (Hinged)
Views Series
SG # 1262
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1265
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1268
Used (Hinged)
1956
Sports Series
SG # 1297
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1299
Used (Hinged)
1957
Air Series
SG # 1319
Used (Hinged)
Various Scenes Series
SG # 1335
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 1352
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1353a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1354
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1355
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1356b
Used (Hinged)
1958
Arms of of French Towns Series
SG # 1409
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1410
Used (Hinged)
1959
Heroes of the Resistance (3rd Series)
SG # 1422
Used (Hinged)
“Marianne” in Ship of State Series
SG # 1437
Used (Hinged)
1960
Various Series
SG # 1453
Used (Hinged)
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1455
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1456
Used (Hinged)
Various Designs Series (new currency)
SG # 1457
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1458
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 1462
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1464
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1465
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1466
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1467
Used (Hinged)
“Marianne” Series
SG # 1494
Used (Hinged)
Arms Series
SG # 1499
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1499a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1499b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1499d
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1499f
Used (Hinged)
Study of Bird Migrations Series (Inscribed ETUDE DES MIGRATION)
SG # 1511
Used (Hinged)
1961
“Marianne” Series
SG # 1513
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 1543
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1548
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1549
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1550
Used (Hinged)
1962
Gallic Cock Series
SG # 1562
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1562a
Used (Hinged)
1963
Record Undersea Dive Series
SG # 1595
Used (Hinged)
French Art Series
SG # 1604
Used (Hinged)
Celebrities of European Economic Community Countries Series
SG # 1613
Used (Hinged)
400th Anniversary of Louis the Great College Series, Paris
SG # 1617
Used (Hinged)
French Philatelic Services Congress Series, Caen
SG # 1618
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 1620
Used (Hinged)
World Water Skiing Championship Series, Vichy
SG # 1624
Used (Hinged)
1964
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 1655
Used (Hinged)
Europa Series
SG # 1662
Used (Hinged)
1965
French Art Series
SG # 1674
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1965)
SG # 1684
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1686
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1688
Used (Hinged)
Reafforestation Series
SG # 1693
Used (Hinged)

1966
Arms Series
SG # 1700
Used (Hinged)
Europa Series
SG # 1726
Used (Hinged)
Arms Series
SG # 1735
Used (Hinged)
1967
French Art Series
SG # 1742
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1745
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 1755
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1756
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1757
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1759
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1760
Used (Hinged)
“Republique” Series
SG # 1768
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1843
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1768b
Used (Hinged)
1968
300th Birth Anniversary of Le Sage Series – writer
SG # 1793
Used (Hinged)
Bicentenary of the Union of Corsica & France Series
SG # 1804
Used (Hinged) (Damaged)
1969
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 1817
Used (Hinged)
Air Series – 1st Flight of Concorde
SG # 1823
Used (Hinged)
1970
43rd Federation of Philatelic Services Congress Series – Lens
SG # 1881
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1970)
SG # 1885
Used (Hinged)
Air Pioneers Series
SG # 1890
Used (Hinged)
25th Anniversary of United Nations Series
SG # 1899
Used (Hinged)
1971
“Marianne” Series (Bequet)
SG # 1904
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1905
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1904ap
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1905bp
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1904b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1905d
Used (Hinged)
World Ice Skating Championships Series – Lyon
SG # 1911
Used (Hinged)
44th French Federation of Philatelic Services Congress Series – Grenoble
SG # 1927
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1971)
SG # 1931
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1932
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1933
Used (Hinged)
59th Interparliamentary Union Conference Series, – Paris
SG # 1934
Used (Hinged)
1972
French Art Series
SG # 1944
Used (Hinged)
Winter Olympic Games Series – Sapporo, Japan
SG # 1949
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1972)
SG # 1958
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1959
Used (Hinged)
SG # 1961
Used (Hinged)
1973
Martinique Flower Cultivation Series
SG # 1982
Used (Hinged)
French Technical Achievements Series
SG # 1998
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1973)
SG # 2006
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2007
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2008
Used (Hinged)
Centenary of Hansen’s Identification of Leprosy Bacillus Series
SG # 2013
Used (Hinged)
300th Death Anniversary of Moliere (Playwright) Series
SG # 2015
Used (Hinged)
History of France Series
SG # 2017
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2018
Used (Hinged)
25th Anniversary of Declaration of Human Rights Series
SG # 2024
Used (Hinged)
1974
“Arphila 1975” Stamp Exhibition Series – French Art
SG # 2033
Used (Hinged)
Europa Series – Sculptures
SG # 2038
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2039
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series
SG # 2044
Used (Hinged)
30th Anniversary of Liberation Series
SG # 2048
Used (Hinged)
Centenary of Universal Postal Union Series
SG # 2057
Used (Hinged)
1975
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1975)
SG # 2063
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2064
Used (Hinged)
1976
Regions of France Series
SG # 2106
Used (Hinged)
French Art Series
SG # 2111
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2113
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1976)
SG # 2115
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2117
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2120
Used (Hinged)
Europa Series
SG # 2125
Used (Hinged)
50th Anniversary of French Fairs & Exhibitions Federation Series
SG # 2145
Used (Hinged)
1977
Regions of France Series
SG # 2151
Used (Hinged)
Europa Series
SG # 2181
Used (Hinged)
Tourist Publicity Series (Inscribed 1977)
SG # 2188
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2190
Used (Hinged)
“Sabine” Series (by Louis David)
SG # 2212
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2215
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2217
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2222
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2225
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2226
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2228
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2229
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2230a
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2231
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2233
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2234
Used (Hinged)
1980
Handicrafts Series – Embroidery
SG # 2258
Used (Hinged)
Federation of French Philatelic Societies Congress Series, Dunkirk
SG # 2369
Used (Hinged)
1981
French Art Series
SG # 2398
Used (Hinged)
Centenary of Saint Maixent Military Academy Series
SG # 2414
Used (Hinged)
“Sabine” (by Louis David) Series (Inscribed Republique Francaise)
SG # 2424
Used (Hinged)
150th Anniversary of Naval School Series
SG # 2436
Used (Hinged)
1982
Liberty Series
SG # 2444
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2445
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 2447
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2448
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2455
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2484
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2466
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2467
Used (NH)
SG # 2469
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2477
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2478
Used (Hinged)
Art Designs Series
SG # 2534
Used (Hinged)
1983
Regions of France Series
SG # 2555
Used (Hinged)
World Communications Year Series
SG # 2575
Used (Hinged)
Flowers Series – Engravings from Paris Natural History Museum Library
SG # 2583
Used (Hinged)
1984
Birds of Prey Series
SG # 2645
Used (Hinged)
1988
Art Series
SG # 2850
Used (Hinged)
1989
“Marianne” Series
SG # 2907
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2908
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2910
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2911
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2918
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2921
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2923
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2926
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2927
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2929
Used (Hinged)
1990
Freshwater Fishes Series
SG # 3003
Used (Hinged)
1993
Stamp from “Marianne” Series of 1989 – no value expressed
SG # 3122
Used (Hinged)
40th Death Anniversary of Django Reinhardt Series – guitarist
SG # 3138
Used (Hinged)
1997
Francois Mitterand Commemoration Series (President 1981-1995)
SG # 3361
Used (Hinged)
“Participatory Innovation” Series
SG # 3362
Used (Hinged)
French Army Operations in North Africa Series (1952-1962)
SG # 3398
Used (Hinged)
Marianne of 14 July Series
SG # 3415
Used (NH)
SG # 3417
Used (Hinged)
Red Cross Fund Series – Christmas
SG # 3454
Used (Hinged)
Cultural Heritage Series
SG # 3524
Used (Hinged)
1999
800th Anniversary of Granting of City Rights to Saint-Emilion and 50th Anniversary of Re-institution of the Jurade (controllers of St-Emilion wine appelation) Series
SG # 3591
Used (Hinged)
2001
Animals Series
SG # 3715
Used (Hinged)
New Year Series
SG # 3763
Used (Hinged)
SG # 3764
Used (Hinged)
2003
Art Design Series
SG # 3898
Used (Hinged)
Centenary of the Tour de France Series
SG # 3914 and 3915
Used (Hinged)
SG # 3914
Used (Hinged)
SG # 3915
Used (Hinged)
Regions (2nd Issue)
SG # MS3926
Used (Hinged)
SG # MS3926
Used (Hinged)
Syndicat des Eleveurs (Cinderella?)
Used (Hinged)