COVER N. 312 - FRANCE

Postmark: Premier Jour Centenaire de l'immigration polonaise, Paris 01.09.2023

Posted on the 1st September; Received on the 7th September 2023

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Another first day cover for the Centenary of the Polish Immigration issue, this time with a postmark from the City of Lights, Paris.

Un grand merci, Jean-Pierre, for the cover and for the amazing pre-paid postage card inside honouring two of the most important names in the history of the 20th century aviation: Jean Mermoz and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

The 1,80 € stamp on the cover dedicated to one hundred years of Polish Immigration was issued in celebration of this historical fact by la Poste on 01SET2023.

The image on the pre-paid postcard replicates a stamp issued on 19SET1970, honouring two everlasting names in the history of French aviation, and of Aéropostale in particular: Jean Mermoz (1901-36), who amongst other feats, achieved the first direct postal crossing of the south Atlantic from Saint-Louis, in Senegal, to Natal, Brazil, in 12–13 May 1930,  and the Big Prince of French Aviation, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-44) who flew aircraft and letters alike.

The effigies of the pilots imposed over what I  would think are the shores  on both sides of the Atlantic share the foreground with the Concorde, as a reminder that their exploits would in  time lead to supersonic crossings of the Atlantic.

The printed stamp on the card replicates the 3 Franc stamp of the Poste Aérienne issue of 1936, with what looks like a Caudron Simoun (without fin and rudder...), overflying Paris.