POSTES FRANCE issued on 16 May 1945 a single stamp marking the Liberation of Alsace and Lorraine from Nazi Germany. On a background representing the cathedrals of Strasbourg, on the left, and Metz, on the right, an Alsatian and a Lorainne in traditional costumes of their regions celebrate, under the French flag, the Liberation of France. Designed by Paul-Pierre Lemagny and engraved by Raoul Serres. Postage was intended to be used on single letters to foreign countries. It was printed in Rotary Intaglio with 50 stamps per sheet, block or booklet on No. 5 press. This red-brown stamp featured 13 perforations and measured 40x26 mm 40 mm x 26 mm. A total of 4.95 million copies were printed.
According to the Yvert-Tellier specialised catalog, many of these charity stamps were issued for the benefit of the Entraide Française or the "French Mutual Aid [Society]". This was a public charity whose purpose was to provide assistance to the sick, the disabled, and the needy. Following a bit of further research, it seems that one of their key focuses was the plight of French Jewish families (especially the children) that had either been displaced or deported by the Germans during the war.
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