COVER N. 458 - FRANCE

Postmark: 500 Ans de la decouverte de New York - Premier jour - 16 Angoulême - la Poste 12.04.2024

Received on the 28th May 2024

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It seems that the first European to have sailed into what is now called "the bay" of probably the most famous of all American cities was a Florentine explorer, Giovanni da Verrazzano, under contract to the King of France, François I (Francis I), also known as François d'Angoulême (he inherited the title of Count of Angoulême from his father, although he was born in the chateau of Cognac, in the homonymous city).

Signore da Verrazzano sailed into the mouth of the Hudson river on the 17th April 1524 and as a way of honouring his employer he  named the new found region Nouvelle France and the bay wherein he sailed Nouvelle Angoulême. As a matter of curiosity, he also claimed Newfoundland, Terre-Neuve,  to the French crown.

Five hundred years later, La Poste would not let go the anniversary without issuing one of the most amazing pieces of stamp art that I have seen lately, and I really am indebted to Roland for kindly having made sure I had one cover graced with it to add to my collection. Un énorme Merci, Roland!

I find it hard to add any words to describe the truly amazing one 1,96 € stamp souvenir sheet issued on 15APR2024. In fact the sheer beauty of  the exquisitely detailed single colour head-on view of Manhattan, with its iconic towering skyscrapers occupying the centre of the sheet (and most of the stamp) needs no explanation, and Monsieur Louis Genty, the creator and engraver of such a work of art is to be highly congratulated by such a beautiful piece of work.

But there's more to it: Louis Genty was also the designer of also very beautiful first day postmark showing Giovanni da Verrazzano ship presumably sailing in the New Angoulême bay,  which, besides Paris,  was appropriately applied at Angoulême, given the link between this particular city and the history of New York, as above stated.

All in all a great addition to my collection.