COVER N. 440 - FRANCE

Postmark: Service des Oblitérations Philatéliques 24-Boulazac 09.04.24

Posted on the 9th April received on the 11th April 2024

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One of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, stamp issue of La Poste in 2023. Really a "crime" of good taste :-). Un grand Merci, Roland.

Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the Orient Express, La Poste issued on 02OCT2023 the amazing souvenir sheet on the cover, containing one 1,80€ stamp, illustrated with an image of a steam locomotive pulling the Orient Express full speed ahead, while on the background the mountains are drawn to the shape of a sleeping face, an allegory for the  then innovating Wagons-Lits which allowed passengers their night rest in  most comfortable and luxurious conditions.

On the sheet, Paris the point of departure is on the left, symbolized by the Eiffel Tower, while the train is ridding towards its final destination, Istanbul, on the right, symbolised by the image of Agia Sophia, all the elements in the composition wrapped in blue and gold, quite evocative of  the stuff of dreams and class.

Postage is completed with two  0,10 € stamps of the Marianne L'engagée set, issued on 09NOV2018.