France's 12 Intaglio Stamp Engravers Celebrated at Musée de La Poste
In France, only 12 engravers specializing in intaglio stamps remain, creating millions of stamps available for €1.52 each. An exhibition titled 'De l'acier au papier. Regards sur le timbre gravé' is currently on display at the Musée de La Poste in Paris, running until October 12. The intricate hand-engraving method, which originated with goldsmiths in the 15th century, requires one to three weeks to complete. Although La Poste contemplated discontinuing this craft in the early 2000s, Pierre Albuisson established the Art du Timbre Gravé association to safeguard it. In November 2023, this craft was added to France's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Henry Cheffer was a pioneer of philatelic intaglio in 1927, and Philaposte oversees an annual program of sixty issues, with intaglio comprising 40% of the output.
Key facts
- Only 12 intaglio stamp engravers remain active in France.
- Stamps are sold for €1.52 each.
- Exhibition 'De l'acier au papier. Regards sur le timbre gravé' at Musée de La Poste until October 12.
- Technique dates to 15th-century goldsmiths; hand-engraving takes one to three weeks.
- Pierre Albuisson founded Art du Timbre Gravé to preserve the craft.
- Inscribed in France's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in November 2023.
- Henry Cheffer created the first philatelic intaglio stamp in 1927 (Pont du Gard).
- Philaposte issues 60 stamps per year; intaglio accounts for 40% of production.
Entities
Artists
- Pierre Albuisson
- Henry Cheffer
- Auguste Rodin
- Sophie Beaujard
- Pierre Bara
- Louis Genty
- Louis Boursier
- Martin Mörk
- Fanny Boucher
Institutions
- Musée de La Poste
- La Poste
- Art du Timbre Gravé
- Philaposte
- École Estienne
- Connaissance des Arts
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Boulazac
- Dordogne
- Monaco
- Andorra
- Japan
- China
- Sweden
- Czech Republic
- Norway
- Denmark