What Can be Done: The popularity of stamp collecting began a rapid trajectory in the 1860s. And nowhere did philately catch on quicker than in France (the very word for our hobby—philately—was coined by a Frenchman). The classic stamps of France can be specialized in to a high degree. There are shades and cancellations, and, for the rarity conscious, classic France has some of the rarest tête–bêche issues (tête–bêche is when two stamps exist upside down relative to each other in the plate). Tête–bêche stamps are consistent printers’ errors that were made when the plate was being composed. For tête–bêche stamps to have come down to philatelists, the user of the stamp had to have saved a pair, and it had to come from a printing from the plate that was made before the error was discovered and corrected. The twentieth century of French stamps includes interesting booklets, precancels, and some of the most attractive engraved stamps in all the hobby. French semi-postals are highly prized too, as are French airmails. France maintained numerous post offices abroad, especially in China. These issues are greatly sought after by collectors.
Specialty Catalogs: Scott does an excellent job with the stamps of France. The listings are clear and consistent. The Scott Classic is particularly excellent in its listings (and the section for France is one of the best of all its sections). Take a look, if you have access to the Scott Classic, at the listing for Balloon Monte covers. During the Franco Prussian War, the Germans created a siege around Paris. Conditions were harsh (hunger was so widespread that Parisians raided the Zoo and ate the animals). Communication with the rest of France was only possible by taking letters and putting them on hot air balloons and sending over German lines to unoccupied France (there were also some attempts to float mail down the Seine in metal balls—many ended wet). Some letters are scarce (all are interesting), and Scott has a very good listing of these. France has two specialized catalogs that are issued in France—the Yvert catalog and the Ceres catalog. Both are very good and list numerous interesting varieties. The French Post Office has long issued limited edition Proofs and imperfs of modern French sta
mps that are available by subscription, and the specialized French catalogs list these. They are beautiful and, for the most part, reasonably priced.
Specialty Albums: The Scott specialty series for France is an excellent album. Yvert makes a multivolume specialty series in several grades of quality, the highest grade being a magnificent album. And the Lighthouse hingeless album for France is wonderful too.
Expense: France has several thousand stamps that have been issued. The vast majority of these can be had mint for less than a few dollars per set. Some of the classics are very rare, as are a couple of the airmails. Overall though, French philately provides good value for the money.
Availability of Material: France is one of the most popular collecting areas of all. As such, French stamps are readily available.
Overall Collecting Grade: A