2 Francs Appraisal

French Postage Stamp, 2 Francs, Landscape with Town and River

This item is a used French postage stamp, likely from the mid-20th century, featuring a detailed landscape illustration. The primary colors are a muted teal or blue against an off-white or cream background, indicating it might be a monochromatic print or relief printing style. The stamp measures approximately 3.5 cm by 2.5 cm, bordered by perforations on all four sides. The illustration depicts a panoramic view of a river cutting through a valley with hills or mountains in the background. In the foreground, on the right side, there's a charming town with pointed roofs and what appears to be a prominent spire or tower, possibly part of a church or castle. Trees or lush vegetation line the lower left of the stamp. The top edge reads 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' in capital letters, signifying its origin. In the bottom left corner, the denomination '2fr' is clearly visible within a circular design. Below this, in small print, are the words 'L.A.B.E.U.R.E.U.L. DEL', likely the engraver or designer's mark. The bottom right features the word 'POSTES'. The stamp exhibits clear evidence of use with a prominent circular postmark diagonally across the center-right, obscuring some of the details of the landscape and the town. The postmark appears to have 'NA'' and 'IN' partially visible, with 'DE L'EAU' and 'ES' visible at the bottom, suggesting a town name like 'DE L'EAU D'ES'. The perforations appear intact, though there is a slight amount of browning or age-related discoloration consistent with an older paper item. The overall condition is good for a used stamp, with no apparent tears or major creases other than the postmark. The printing quality is fine, showing good detail in the etched lines of the landscape.