COVER N. 206 - FRANCE

Postmark:  Bureau Philatélique 69 - Lyon Bellecour 23.01.2023 Paris 

Posted on the 23rd January; Received on the 27th January 2023
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She was the longest ruling monarch that ever was. Having succeeded her father in February 1952, at the age of 25, and received Britain's  crown and sceptre the following year,  she would hold on to the throne to the best of her abilities, for a full 70 years,  until death did them part, on the 8th September, last year.

Loved by many, (with others, consequently, holding on to the other side of the coin) hers is the image of someone who lived  a life devoted to the cause of keeping the British Monarchy unscathed by the shards of a world that was fast expanding, evolving and transforming. Britannia would no longer rule the waves, the empire would come to an end, wars would be fought, the UK would become a star in a flag (and now refuse the same flag altogether), the Irish question would escalate and finally subside (up to a point), family matters would be the source of tensions and drama, and all this always under the spotlight of the love/hate relationship that the British Monarchy has always endured with the press, be it the serious or the tabloid and pink. Not an easy task, if I may say so....

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is arguably  the most famous monarch of modern times, on par with Louis XIV in the raking of  quizzeable "name a sovereign" crown holders.

Monarchy, although conceptually anachronistic the way  I understand it, is nevertheless here to stay, it seems, if not for anything, for cultural, traditional, social and political organisation reasons. But an uncompromising vision should also highlight the fact that monarchies are a brand. a sellable product. Some more than others, of course, but the British Monarchy  must rank high amidst its peers, in terms of generated revenues, as a quick google check allows us to confirm.

Now, what has this to do with stamps?

Well, Queen Elizabeth herself had an interest in philately so we are told, having maintained and expanded the Royal Philatelic Collection, one of  most famous collections in the world. 

But this is not the main reason why so many states were quick to issue stamps celebrating the Queen after her passing, last year. In fact, several postal administrations were fast on the draw, issuing celebratory sets, honouring the image of Elizabeth II. So fast that there were even problems with unchecked dates on at least an infamous Tuvalu issue issued by the highly criticized IGCP agency. 

Most of these issues, nonetheless, were to be expected, since at least the 54 members of the Commonwealth had a strong connection with the British Monarchy, but again I think the high brand value of the institution was not forgotten, and the fact that these issues would be good sellers must have been considered in the decision.

Some days ago I got this nice cover from France, Thanks a lot, Eric!

France is not a member of the Commonwealth of course, but is Great Britain's closest neighbour, and a special relation exists between the two countries, forged in blood, sweat and tears, even if every once in a while a little quarrel emerges, (fishing rights, anyone?) just like in any longstanding relation.

Maybe it was this fact that prompted La Poste to issue a collectors set on 19SEP2022, just 11 days after the passing of the Monarch, comprising 4 stamps for International mail (1,65 € at the time of issue), of which two can be seen on my cover, but I wouldn't be surprised if marketing considerations were also ...considered...

The Postmark indicates that the cover was mailed from the Bureau Philatélique of Lyon.

Thanks a lot Eric. Great surprise.