Centenary of the Entente Cordiale - 6 April 2004 - joint issue with La Poste

At the turn of the 20th century the language of diplomacy was partly French; the term 'Entente Cordiale' had already been used to describe the relationship between Britain and the United States.

History. Despite centuries of history alternating between war and peace Britain and France's imperial expansion continued during the 19th century with few clashes until July 1898 when the French sought to increase their influence in the Egyptian territory of Sudan as part of their expansion from West Africa. At the same time the British were expanding southwards from Egypt. Troops from both countries arrived at Fashoda and Kitchener and Marchand agreed that the Egyptian, British & Frech flags should all be flown from the fort.

The French Foreign Minister, Declasse, proposed co-existence between the French and British Empires and the ensuing Entente Cordiale gave France influence over Morocco and the west, and Britain over Egypt and the east. The Anglo-French accord was signed in London on 8 April 1904, and it virtually ended colonial rivalry.

The Stamps
This is a joint issue with the French Post Office, La Poste, with designs common to both countries, featuring contemporary British and French paintings.
The 28p and 0,75euro stamps feature 'Lace 1 (trial proof) 1968' by Sir Terry Frost, while the 57p and 0,50 euro stamps show 'Coccinelle' by Sonia Delaunay.

Sir Terry Frost (1915-2003) was one of Britain's most distinguished and passionate abstract artists. Born in Leamington Spa he was a prisoner of war in 1941 and later studied art in Birmingham. His career spanned six decades, much of it spent living and working in south west Cornwall. Sadly he died before knowing his work was to appear on a stamp.

Sonia Delaunay (1855-1979) was born in Ukraine as Sarah Stern (nicknamed Sonia). She studied art in Karlsruhe and Paris in 1905 and married French painter Robert Delaunay. She was the first living female artist to have a retrospective exhibition at the Louvre in 1964 and in 1975 was named an officer of the French Legion of Honor.

Technical details:
The stamps are printed by Walsall Security Print in gravure, perf 14x14½, in sheets of 25 and 50.
The images are from Royal Mail's Stamp Preview, Postmark Bulletin, and Philatelic Bulletin, and are Copyright 2004 by Royal Mail.

Norvic Exclusive First Day Covers

We have produced covers with both British and French stamps, postmarked Paris & London (L9013 or L9039) or with Paris & Filton Concorde (M9018) postmarks. Price £8.95 each
This is a digital mock-up - the size of the postmarks may not be as shown. See links below for other versions
Click here for Concorde postmarked cover or here for Big Ben & Eiffel Tower postmarked cover. Use the 'BACK' button on your browser to return to this page.

Set of two British stamps mint - £1.15 (Sorry - we have no more mint French stamps)

All prices exclude postage & packing. To order, or for any questions please e-mail us.

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These postmarks were available for the date of issue and all should be available on first day covers. However some will be more plentiful than others, and some may only be available on specific 'official covers', with a very few on PO fdcs in collections. It may be many years before these appear on the resale market.

Ref FD413 Official Philatelic Bureau postmark	Ref FD414 Official London SW1 FDI postmark	Ref L9013 Entente Cordiale Centenary, London SW1	Ref L9011 Direct Rail Link London to Paris 1994-2004	Ref M9017 Entente Cordiale BirminghamTwinned with Lyon
Ref L9043 Entente Cordiale 1904-2004, London SW1	Ref L9009 Entente Cordiale, London SW1 Phil Stamp Collection	Ref L9012 Bleriot Road, Hounslow, Middlesex	Ref M9018 Entente Cordiale, Concorde, Filton, Bristol	Ref W8951 Anniversary Year First Flight of Concorde 1969-2004 Filton Bristol
Ref L9038 Centenary Entente Cordiale, King Charles Street, London SW1	Ref L9039 Entente Cordiale Centenary Parliament Square London SW1	Ref L9040 Centenary Entente Cordiale, Knightsbridge, London SW1	Ref L9041 Centenary of the Entente Cordiale, Allied Way, London W3	Ref L9042 L'Entente Cordiale, London SW1
Ref M9047 HMS Gloucester's Entente Cordiale, City of Gloucester	Ref E4680 Windsor Castle permanent postmark	Ref L4666 Buckingham Palace, SW London permanent postmark	Ref L4667 Nelson's Column, London WC3 permanent postmark	Ref L4665 Tower of London EC3 permanent postmark

This page created 21 May 2004 (5.2.05)

2003	2004 stamp issues
13 January Classic Steam Locomotives	30 January Hong Kong Stamp Expo 2004 Smilers Sheet	3 February Occasions/Greetings stamps and Smilers sheet	26 February Lord of the Rings	16 March Letters by Night Prestige Book (TPOs) A British Journey - Northern Ireland
1 April New definitives, including airmail postcard book of stamps	6 April Centenary of the Entente Cordiale	13 April Ocean Liners	11 May 40p Country definitives	25 May Royal Horticultural Society
15 June British Journey - Wales	29 July Rule Britannia Smilers Sheet	10 August Royal Society of Arts	16 September Woodland Animals	5 October Scottish Parliament Building
12 October Crimean War	2 November Father Christmas	HOME