French Colonial Empire Appraisal

French Sudan 1 Franc Postage Stamp (1F)

This is a vintage postage stamp from French Sudan, featuring a depiction of a seated African woman. The stamp primarily uses a striking red-brown color for its border and text elements, contrasting with the black ink used for the central vignette. The woman, possibly an indigenous inhabitant, is shown in traditional attire, with visible neck and wrist adornments (possibly beads or bangles). She appears to be engaged in a domestic activity, seated beside a large woven basket or bowl, and another smaller vessel. The background suggests an outdoor setting with a tree visible in the distance on the right. The top border of the stamp clearly displays 'POSTES' (French for 'Posts') flanked by decorative elements. The denomination '1f' (indicating 1 Franc) is prominently featured in the lower-left corner of the central image. Below the central image, the text 'SOUDAN FRAN‡AIS' (French Sudan) is inscribed in capitalized letters. In the lower-left corner, beneath the denomination, the name 'A. DELZERS' is printed, likely referring to the engraver or designer. The stamp exhibits classic perforations around its edges, indicating it is an unused or uncancelled stamp, or at least a portion of one. The overall condition appears good with clear printing, though some minor discoloration or aging of the paper is possible given its age. The style suggests an early to mid-20th-century colonial issue, characterized by detailed engraving and a focus on ethnographic subjects.