French perforation shift of the 50 centime "sower" .

When this stamp was perforated there must have been an inscription in the top margin of the sheet and due to the error in perforating it has included the inscription "ILLUSTREE" on the stamp.

There are four types of this particular stamp with a lined background that depict the Sower (Semeuse).

On looking at the characteristics of this 50 centime red with the perforation shift I note the following:-

1) The lower eyelet of the letter B of République is larger than the upper one.

2) The eylets of the letter A's in Française are very small.

3) The eylet in R of République is larger than the eyelet of R in Française.

Therefore,based on these findings it is a type 2 stamp.

According to some literature that I have recently read,this 50 centime vermilion type ll was produced in rotary sheets, second booklets and second rotary booklets.

From which of these origins does it come from ?

I recently sent a scan of this stamp to the RPSL to get an answer, but the reply from an unnamed person on the expert committee could only confirm that the stamp is a mis-cut one (possibly from waste material) and has no particular philatelic significance.

I am sure that his comments does not bode well with some collectors of France who may have similar items in their collection.

So I whisper a fond adieu as far as this variety is concerned, Fred.

Edited By Fred Sellars on 18/09/2019 11:57:07

If anyone has any comments to make I would dearly love to hear them, especially regarding where this stamp originates from sheet/booklet ?

Or any other comments for that matter.

Fred.

After further investigation,it appears that the 50 centime "Semeuse" comes from a booklet of 20 that comprised of a horizontal block of 2×5 on either side of the booklet, it is listed in the annual Yvert & Tellier 'Frace' catalogue, attached to the stamps was a " Tab " known as a " Pub ",a French abbreviation of publicité that read " SPHERE REVENUE COLONIALE ILLUSTRÉE " .

The top row had the " Tab " on the upper section of the stamp, where the bottom row had the tab underneath the stamp.

I would like to thank Mr Mick Bister of the France and Colonies Philatelic society for supplying me with this information .

Fred.

Apologies........

The tabs on the 50 centime Semeuse should read " SPHÉRE REVUE COLONIAL ILLUSTRÉE "and not revenue as previously described .