Algeria – Scott # B85

Description

Algeria Scott #B85, issued in 1956, is an overprinted French semi-postal originally released for France’s Journée du Timbre (Stamp Day). The design honors François de Tassis (1450–1517), the celebrated founder of the Thurn and Taxis postal system, often regarded as one of the earliest organized European mail networks. The detailed engraving shows Tassis in the foreground, with mounted couriers riding through a medieval landscape behind him.

For use in French-administered Algeria, the stamp was overprinted “ALGÉRIE” in bold black lettering. This example is Mint Never Hinged (MNH) with full original gum, excellent color, and strong, clean overprint. A desirable item for collectors of French colonial issues, postal history pioneers, and Algeria overprints.