Yvert 1041 Appraisal

1947 Martinique 20f 'Le Mont Pelée' Postage Stamp (Yvert #1041 / Scott #242)

This item is a 20-Franc postage stamp from the French Overseas Department of Martinique. The stamp features a detailed landscape rendering of Mount Pelée (Le Mont Pelée), the infamous volcano near Saint-Pierre. It is part of a series showcasing the scenery and people of the island. The design is executed in a deep violet and black bicolored intaglio print on cream-colored paper. The stamp possesses standard perforations and is currently mounted on a black hingeless mount within a collector's album. The center-left features the value '20f' with the words 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' and 'MARTINIQUE' clearly visible. The artwork includes tropical vegetation in the foreground and figures on the right, providing scale to the volcano in the background. Included handwritten annotations below the stamp incorrectly suggest a 1955 date, though the 'Yvert 1041' identifier typically refers to the 1947 issue. The stamp appears to be in used condition, indicated by a circular date stamp (CDS) cancellation ink marking visible over the upper left and central portions of the design. The perforations appear largely intact, though a slight softening is visible at the lower left corner. The coloration remains strong with minimal fading, showcasing the high-quality engraving typical of French Colonial philately from the mid-20th century.