1973 Monaco J.H. Fabre Birth Sesquicentennial Postage Stamp

This is a philatelic specimen issued by Monaco in 1973 to commemorate the 150th anniversary (1823-1973) of the birth of the renowned French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre. The stamp features a horizontal rectangular format with a clean, perforated edge typical of mid-20th-century European issues. The design is executed via a multi-color intaglio or photogravure process, showcasing a sophisticated composition. On the left side, there is a detailed portrait of J.H. Fabre wearing his iconic wide-brimmed hat, rendered in dark blue and black line-work. The right side of the stamp is vibrant, depicting various insects including a large moth (Great Peacock Moth), a praying mantis, a beetle, a cicada, and a caterpillar, reflecting his life's work. The palette consists of various shades of blue, green, brown, and white. Numerical and literal markings include the denomination '0,45', the name 'MONACO', the dates '1823' and '1973', and the subject name 'J.H. FABRE' in the lower-left corner. The artist's name 'GANDON' is visible in the bottom right corner, referring to the master engraver Pierre Gandon. The condition appears to be mint or near-mint, though a slight horizontal line or fold through the center of the image suggests it may have been stored in a stock book. The paper shows consistent aging with no significant foxing or toning visible on the face.