('Liberation ANNECY 19-8-1944 F.F.I.', reduced size)
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During the liberation of France (1944-45) many stamps, most of them with the image of Petain, were overprinted with patriotic texts or 'R.F' (Republique Francaise). Many of them were issued for philatelic purposes only. Since the basic stamps are very common, no doubt forged overprint will exist.
Some examples:
Alençon: if anybody posesses a picture, please contact me!
('Liberation ANNECY 19-8-1944 F.F.I.', reduced size)
18-8-1944 Libération Annemasse F.F.I.
With this '18-8-1944 Liberation Annemasse F.F.I.' overprint I have seen the following Petain stamps of France: 60 c violet, 70 c orange, 80 c green, 1 F red, 1.20 F brown, 1.50 F brown, 2 F green, 2.40 F red, 3 F orange, 4 F blue and 4.50 F green.
Aigurande: 'Libre' and cross
Two 1 F Petain stamps of France, one with R.F. 'AUTUN LIBEREE
8-9-44' overprint, the other without overprint
'BACCARAT LIBRE 1-11-44'
(Badonviller 'R.F.')
'R.F.' Bordeaux
Apparenly, two different types of 'R.F.' overprints were used in Bordeaux. The overprints exist on the Petain stamps in the values: 60 c, 70 c, 80 c, 1 F, 1.20 F, 1.50 F, 2 F, 2.40 F, 3 F, 4 F and 4.50 F.
With inscription 'F.F.I. Brianconnais Libere 6-SEPT.-1944' on Petain stamps: 70 c, 80 c, 1 F, 1.20 F, 1.50 F, 2 F, 2.40 F and 3 F.
'RF LIBERATION CANNES (A.-M.) 24-VIII-44' on Mercury issue: 10 c blue, 30 c orange, 40 c violet and 50 c blue.
With overprint 'Chablais libéré F.F.I. 17-8-1944' I have seen the following Petain stamps of France: 60 c violet, 70 c orange, 80 c green, 1 F red, 1.20 F brown, 1.50 F brown, 4 F blue and 4.50 F green.
Chalons 'R.F.'
'R F C L B H' Decazeville
Stamps with inscription 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' in an arc with 'F.T.P.' in the centre were issued in Evian. I have seen the values 1.20 F and 1.50 F, both in the color combination blue and red.
Grandvillars: if anybody posesses a picture, please contact me!
(Lille)
Lille: stamps of France with large double cross and RF on top.
(Lyon or region 'Rhone-Alpes' with overprint 'R.F.')
Lyon: one of the more common stamps issued in this period, 'R.F.' on common stamps of France; 15 values: 10 c blue, 30 c red, 40 c violet, 50 c blue (all with Mercury) and 60 c violet, 70 c orange, 80 c green, 1 F red, 1F20 brown, 1F50 brown, 2 F green, 2F40 red, 3 F orange, 4 F blue and 4F50 green (all with image of Petain).
(Cross and '18.11.1944 Libération Delle' and cross + 'LIBRE' of
Measnes)
Arms with 'R.F. METZ DELIVREE' overprinted:
On Iris issue: 80 c green, 1 F blue, 1.20 F violet and 1.50 F
orange.
On Mercury issue: 10 c blue, 30 c red, 40 c violet and 50 c blue.
'RF GOUVERNEMENT PROVISOIRE', Marseilles
('RF' Montreuil Bellay)
'R.F' overprint with bar below. I've only seen it this overprint on the 1.50 F Petain issue.
(Nevers: 'FRANCE LIBRE' in a rectangle with rounded corners)
(Nice; 'R.F. NICE 28 Aout 1944 FRONT NATIONAL')
I've seen this overprint on the following Petain stamps: 1.50 F brown and 2 F green.
I've also seen this overprint on the following Mercury stamps: 10 c blue, 30 c orange, 40 c violet and 50 c blue. They seem to have some green overprint at the backside. A misprint exists of the 30 c red with inverted '28 Aout 1944'.
Niort: if anybody posesses a picture, please contact me!
('RF' in a box of Poitiers)
(Cross and 'V': Sylvanes Les Bains)
(Tours, 'R.F.' overprint)