France 1954 - Metric System

The origins of the metric system can be traced back to 1799 during the French Revolution. Fed up with the existing units of measurement, the French Republic implemented a new decimal system based on the kilogram and the metre. Initially, the system didn't last. France reverted back to their old system in 1812. But then in 1837 it was once again adopted by France, and this time it stuck.

In order to maintain this system internationally, three controlling bodies were set up in 1875 in France:-

1. The International Committee for Weights and Measures (French: Comité international des poids et mesures- CIPM). 
2. International Bureau of Weights and Measures (French: Bureau international des poids et mesures - BIPM). 
3. The General Conference on Weights and Measures (French: Conférence générale des poids et mesures - CGPM)

On 6 October 1954 France issued a stamp to commemorate the 10th General Conference on Weights and Measures (number 3 on the list above). The stamp was designed and engraved by Albert Decaris.

This beautiful stamp depicts the Angel of the French Republic measuring a meridian arc across the earth. Decaris has captured the far-reaching impact of the metric system in a profound way. Stunning!

Until next time...

Stay Decaris Crazy!

France 1954 - Abbey of Saint Philibert

Created in 1953, the International Centre for Romance Studies (Le Centre International d'Etudes Romanes) is located in Tournus, Burgundy, France. It is commonly known by the acronym CIER. The aim of the centre is to promote the study of Romanesque Art through exhibitions, study tours, and conferences and other activities. It is also dedicated to the preservation of the local monuments of Tournus, such as the Abbey of Saint Philibert, and the St. Lawrence church.

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On 20 June 1954, France issued a stamp to commemorate the establishment of the CIER. The stamp has a value of 30f. It was designed and engraved by Albert Decaris.

This stamp is beautifully designed. It features a Romanesque column in the foreground, while in the background stands the lovely Abbey of Saint Philibert. This striking church was once a Benedictine Abbey. It was founded in 875 by Benedictine monks who were fleeing Viking raids on the community on Noirmoutier. They carried with them holy relics of Saint Philibert of Jumièges.. The building that survives today was designed in the Romanesque style of Burgundy.

Until next time...

Stay Decaris Crazy!

France 1954 - Château Gaillard

Imagine you are travelling along the River Seine in a north-westerly direction from Paris. You enter the Eure département of historical Normandy. Then something catches your eye. A large circular castle standing on a huge mound. It looms some 90 metres over the commune of Les Andelys on the River Seine. You are seeing the stalwart medieval castle known as Château Gaillard.

Construction on the castle began in 1196. It was built for the King of England, Richard the Lionheart. At this time King Richard was also the Duke of Normandy. It was a massive castle with a considerably advanced design, employing the principles of 'concentric fortification'. Its complexity notwithstanding the castle was completed in the record time of just two years. It was built at the same time as the town of Petit Andely, which it overlooked. Today, the castle is in ruins, but it is still an awe-inspiring sight.

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On 8 June 1954 France issued a set of seven stamps featuring French Monuments. The 8f value features Château Gaillard and Les Andelys on the River Seine. According to Phil-Ouest, Albert Decaris only designed this stamp. But I cannot find another name on the stamp, which usually, from what I've seen, means that it was both designed and engraved by the one person. So I'll assume Decaris engraved this stamp also. If anyone knows differently, I'd love to hear from you.

In this design, the River Seine sweeps through the centre of the stamp, drawing the eye towards the middle distance where the ruin of the medieval castle, Château Gaillard, stands proudly. Below the castle to the left is the commune of Les Andelys.

Until next time...

Stay Decaris Crazy!

Tristan da Cunha 1954 - Definitives

Tristan Da Cunha, located in the south Atlantic Ocean, is the most remote archipelago in the world. It consists of four volcanic islands, three of which are uninhabited. The main island, the only inhabited island, is known as Tristan da Cunha, or Tristan for short. The other three islands are: Nightingale Island (which has two of its own smaller islands, Middle Island and Stottenhoff Island); Inaccessible Island: and Gough Island. Incidentally, these three islands are nature reserves.

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On 2 January 1954 Tristan da Cunha released its first set of Queen Elizabeth II definitives. The set was printed at De La Rue, and possibly engraved in-house. If anyone out there knows the name of the engraver or engravers who contributed to this set, I'd love to hear from you. All colours used in this blog are taken from Stanley Gibbons Elizabethan Sepcialised Catalogue, 1976 ed.

½d red and deep brown. Crawfish. The crawfish or crayfish, is known on Tristan as the Tristan Rock Lobster. They are found in abundance on the island.

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1d sepia and bluish-green. Flax Cart. Flax has been used on the island for thatched-roof houses.

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1½d black and reddish-purple. Rockhopper Penguin. Northern Rockhopper Penguins are one of the smallest penguin species. They are known by Tristan Islanders as Pinnamin. These lovely little creatures are incredibly agile. On Nightingale Island the penguins have to negotiate steep rock surfaces by hopping over the terrain, hence the name.

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2d grey-violet and brown-orange. Big Beach Factory. The original Big Beach Fishing Factory was destroyed by lava in 1961. The second factory was gutted by fire in 2008. 

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2½d black and carmine-red. Mollymauk. The yellow-nosed albatross is known by Tristan islanders as the 'Mollymauk'.

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3d ultramarine and olive-green. Island Boat.

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4d turquoise-blue and deep blue. Tristan from the South West.

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5d emerald and black. Potato Patches. Potatoes are a dietary staple of Tristan islanders. Unsuitable for many crops, the volcanic earth is perfect for potato crops.

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6d deep green and violet. Inaccessible Island from Tristan.

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9d reddish violet and venetian red. Nightingale Island. To the right you can also see one of Nightingale's two smaller islands, possibly Middle Island. 

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1/- deep yellow-green and sepia. St. Mary's Church. The church was opened in  1923.

 

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2/6 deep brown and light blue. Elephant Seal on Gough Island. The island is also home to the subantarctic fur seal. Unfortunately, a small amount of sealing has occurred on the islands.

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5/- black and red-orange. Flightless Rail on Inaccessible Island. This species is found only on this island. It is the smallest flightless bird in the world. Thankfully, the island has remained free of predators allowing the Rail to flourish.

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10/- brown-orange and purple. Spinning Wheel. Tristan is home to a thriving wool industry with over 1,000 head of sheep on the island. Every year the island hosts a Shearing Day.

Until next time...

Stay Engraver Crazy!