Heraldry Appraisal

Strip of 0.12 Franc French Heraldry Postage Stamps (Blason d'Agen)

This item is a horizontal strip of four French postage stamps featuring the coat of arms (blason) of the city of Agen. Each individual stamp has a face value of 0.12 Francs, issued by the Republique Francaise. The design prominently displays a heraldic shield divided into sections with red and gold (yellow) motifs, including stylized fortresses and an eagle, traditional to the Agen coat of arms. The stamps are printed on white paper with vertical perforations between each stamp, though the top and bottom edges appear to be imperforate or roughly trimmed. The stamps exhibit heavy circular black postal cancellations (postmarks) across the front, indicating they are in 'used' condition. There is visible yellowing and staining, likely due to age or improper storage, particularly on the left-most stamp and along the edges. The strip appears to have been removed from an envelope, as the edges are slightly irregular. These belong to the 'Blasons de villes' series commonly issued in the 1960s. The printing quality is standard for mid-20th-century mass-produced philatelic materials, showing clear typography but notable foxing and environmental wear.