France - Bordeaux Issue- 30c, 40c, 80c

France 1870 Scott 48 80c rose/pinkish "Ceres"

Bordeaux Issue, Lithographed

Into the Deep Blue

This final blog post on the the Bordeaux issue will cover the  30c, 40c, & 80c denominations.

Previous posts are...

A closer look at the Bordeaux Issue: Intro, 1c, 2c

A closer look at the Bordeaux Issue: 4c, 5c

A closer look at the Bordeaux Issue: 10c

A closer look at the Bordeaux Issue: 20c

Previous posts also looked at similar "Ceres" issues that could mimic the Bordeaux issue. I won't do that with this entry. But recall, with the more crude lithographic print, and the rough horizontal continuous neck lines, it should not be too difficult to separate out the Bordeaux stamps.

France 1870 Scott 46 30c brown/yellowish "Ceres"

Bordeaux Issue, Imperforate, Lithographed

The 30c brown denomination only used one report ( 15 cliche lithographic block). The CV for the "brown" or "light brown" colors are $200 (unused).

Close-up 30c: Note the heavy horizontal neck lines

Color: "deep brown" vs "black-brown"

I have an example that is a darker color. Scott lists 46a as "black-brown" with a CV of $675. Rather, I think this is the Maury listed color of "deep brown".

1870 Scott 47b 40c red orange/ yellowish "Ceres"

1st State

The 40c denomination has one report (15 cliche lithographic bloc), but the printing is divided by Maury into 1st state and 2nd state.

There are also many color tints listed by Scott (8) and Maury (14): many of them multiples of the base CV price. !!  Honestly, I think it is overdone, and can devolve into subjectivity. 

Nevertheless, I think this a "red orange" specimen (Scott 47b CV $190).

Close-up 40c 1st State

Note the strong horizontal lines under the eye

The 1st state shows strong horizontal lines under the eye and a clear printing.

1870 Scott 47 40c orange/ yellowish "Ceres"

2nd State

I am labeling this specimen "orange" (Major number Scott 47) with a CV of $100. 

Close-up 40c 2nd State

Note the few separated dots under the eye

(And in this case the lack of lines)

The 2nd state typically shows only dots and dashes, not lines, under the eye. Here, there is also a lack of markings.

1870 Scott 47 40c orange/ yellowish "Ceres"

1st State

Looks closer to a 1st state.

1870 Scott 47 40c orange/ yellowish "Ceres"

2nd State

More like a 2nd state.

1870 Scott 48 80c rose/pinkish "Ceres"

1st state

The 80c denomination is found with only one report ( 15 cliche lithographic block). But Scott lists seven color shades (CV $250- $950), and Maury nine color shades: again, with multiples of CV price. I think it is a bit of a rabbit hole - I am not going to dive in. ;-)

Maury also lists 1st state and 2nd state, and prices them separately. As far as I can tell, a well printed stamp is 1st state; a less well printed stamp is a 2nd state?

CV for the rose/pinkish above is $250.

1870 Scott 48 80c rose/pinkish "Ceres"

2nd state

Note the lack of strong lines under the eye: 2nd state. Also note the blanching of the lattice work below the "Repub Franc" label.

1870 Scott 48a 80c dull rose/pinkish "Ceres"

1st state

This color could be dull rose (CV $275). Is this 1st state (well printed) or 2nd state (dots or dashes under eye)? I'm going with 1st state.

Out of the Blue

Well, we are done with the review of the Bordeaux issue. I found it fascinating. Hope you found some things of interest too!

Comments appreciated!