1953) Speleology (Caving), France: La Poste, France has issued a postage stamp of 1.50 Euro depicting the science of Speleology: Date of Stamp issue: 26.07.2021:

1953) Speleology (Caving), France: La Poste, France has issued a postage stamp of 1.50 Euro depicting the science of Speleology: Date of Stamp issue: 26.07.2021:

Caving holds a special place in outdoor sports. 

The etymology of the word suggests its scientific origin. In fact, it is only relatively recently that the study of caves has become a science.

 Édouard- Alfred Martel (1859-1938), considered today as the "Father of Speleology", laid the first foundations while carrying out many sometimes perilous explorations, that of Bramabiau (Gard), from the loss of his river at the exit of the chasm.

In the middle of the XXth Century, exploration made a prodigious leap forward, due to the improvement of techniques in several fields, vertical progression on a rope and no longer on a ladder, underground diving, topography, clearing ... 

At the same time , leisure caving was developing where the attraction of this hidden face of the earth plays a big role with its astonishing landscapes, its concretions, stalactites, stalagmites, eccentrics, draperies ... 

The search for new networks is always a real challenge, that speleologists, these passionate amateurs, often simple weekend adventurers, take pleasure in meeting all over the world.

The caves, immutable on a human scale, have preserved for thousands of years the fascinating traces left by prehistoric men, paintings and engravings or simple prints of bare feet. 

Moreover, by discovering the pollution to which the underground environment is a victim, in particular the water which passes through karst areas, speleologists have become aware of its extreme fragility and of the urgent need to protect it.

The Postage Stamp:

The stamp of 1.50 Euro shows the richness and beauty of France's natural underground heritage and highlights the action of speleologists. 

Presented to scale on the stamp, they bear witness to the breadth and splendor of these decorations.

 Several landscapes and concretions from 3 different cavities illustrate the stamp, gours (room of gours, Aven de Rose Cavity - Hérault), body of water and stalagmite (Lac de Minuit and Grande Stalagmite, grotte de Trabuc - Gard), fistulas (visible and common to many cavities, Pousselières Cave - Hérault)".

The Philatelic Document/Collectible (titled - "La Speleologie") shows an image of  Édouard- Alfred Martel, together-with a description in French of the science of speleology.

The document bears a cancelled stamp at the bottom, making it an attractive collectible.

Technical details:

Issue Date: 26.07.2021

Designer: Stephanie Ghenea

Illustrator: Stephanie Ghenea

Process: Heliogravure

Posts on Coins and Stamps issued by France:

 1) Honouring Louis Braille on the Bicentenary of his birth in 2009

2) Honouring Charles Eduord Jeanneret popularly known as Le Corbusieur, the French architect who built the modern city of Chandigarh & several other projects: A 10 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank 

3) Fort St. George Museum, Chennai (Part iii): i) Indo-Danish coins ii) Indo-Dutch coins iii) Indo-French coins iv) Indo-Portuguese coins 

4) a) Central Bank of West African States issues: the "Franc African Financial Community" (FCFA) b) Bank of Central African States issues : the "Franc Financial Cooperation in Central Africa (FFCCA)

5) French Indo-China issues: A silver one Paistre coin issued in 1895 

6) Financial Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific & French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emission d'outre-Mer (IEOM) for French Polynesia (Tahiti), New Caledonia, Wallis-et-Futuna and the erstwhile New Hebrides (present day Vanuatu)  

 7) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of New Caledonia (or Nouvelle-Caledonie in French) - the CFP Franc

8) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part I): A one Crown Commemorative Coin issued by the Ascension Island 

9) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part II) : coins commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo: 1) A 5 GBP coin issued by the Royal Mint UK: 2) A "Drie Landen Zilverset" issued by the Royal Dutch Mint - which includes coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK 

 10) Jeanne d'Arc or Joan of Arc or "The Maid of Orleans" or "La Pucelle": "Women of France Coin Series": 200 & 50 Euro gold coins and 10 Euro Silver coins issued by Monnaie de Paris in July 2016

11) i)"Europa Coin Programme" or the Eurostar Programme ii) Monnaie de Paris has issued a series of six coins with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017

12) 100th Anniversary of Auguste Rodin's passing away commemorated with gold and silver Euro coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris under its on-going "The 7 Arts" Coin Series

 13) Statue of Liberty, Paris, France: "Treasures of Paris": Coin series issued by Monnaie de Paris on 20.01.2017

14) Marianne (or Liberty): "The Trilogy": A set of Euro denominated coins in Gold and silver brought out by Monnaie de Paris in January 2017 

15) Dakota Aircraft & the Berlin Airlift: Latest coins in the "L'Aviation Historie" ("Aviation and History) Coin Series issued in 2018 by the Paris Mint:

16) The "Baroque & Rococo Era" in France : Coins feature, The Hall of Mirrors, Rococo elements of the Palace of Versailles, philosopher Voltaire and the Dancing King Louis XIV in gold & silver coins issued during 2018, under the "Europa Coin Programme"

17) George Sand: "Women of France Coin Series": Third Coin in the Series issued during 2018 by the Monnaie de Paris, France on 04.05.2018

18) "Paris, The Banks of the River Seine" ("Rivos de la Seine") : UNESCO World Heritage Site: "The Louvre Museum"(Musee du Louvre") and "Pont des Arts": Gold and Silver Euro coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris on 14.06.2018

19) Notre Dame de Paris, France "Reconstruction": Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) restrikes 2013 Silver 10 Euro Coin, Bronze Medal and Silver-coloured Mini-Medal, part proceeds of which will go towards the reconstruction of the iconic Cathedral which was partially burnt in a fire on 15.04.2019

20) The Micro-Currency called - "EUSCKO" , France circulates in the French Basque Country and is the largest such currency in circulation today in the world, fully backed by the Euro; ii) It is one of 44 such micro-currencies circulating in French cities; iii) Paris is on the vetge of introducing a micro-currency.

21) Guerlain, France: A set of two stamps in the denominations of 0.97 and 1.94 Euros issued by La Poste, France: Date of Stamp Set issue: 13.01.2020

22) "Ancient Postal Routes", France: A postage stamp of 1.40 Euro issued by La Poste (French Post): Date of Stamp issue: 05.06.2020

23) "Treasures of Notre Dame Cathedral" - Reconstruction over a period of five years (2019-2024): La Poste (French Post) is issuing a series of stamps under its Stamp Series every year till completion of the project: Date of Souvenir Sheet issue: 15.04.2020

24) "Fardier de Cugnot", France: 250th Anniversary of the "Fardier a Vapeur" (1770-2020): "La Post" (French Post) has issued a postage stamp of 1.16 Euro dedicated to the French inventor who built the world's first full-size, self-propelled mechanical land vehicle, the "Fardier a vapeur": Date of Stamp issue: 19.10.2020

25) "Chateau des Ducs de Bourbon", France: La Poste, France (French Post) has issued a postage stamp of 1.16 Euro depicting the famous historic castle: Date of Stamp issue: 21.09.2020

26) Vincent van Gogh, France: "Museum Masterpieces of French Museums Coin Series": A self-portrait depicted on Gold (50 Euros) and Silver (10 Euros) Coins, minted by the Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint): Year of Coin issue: 2020

27) Mount Olympus, Mont Saint-Michel & Mount Fuji, France: Gold and silver Coins issued by the monnaie de Paris on these UNSCO World Heritage Sites in phases during2020: Mount Olympus Coins issued on 07.07.2020

28) 600 Years of the Forbidden City China, France: "UNESCO World Heritage Sites Coin Series": Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has issued Gold (250, 50 & 5 Euro), Silver (10 Euro) and Base Metal Coins (1/4 Euro)

29) Golden Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, France: A set of four stamps of 12.00 Euro showcasing the knowhow of the Printing Press and an artistic representation of Paris: Date of Stamp issue: 19.11.2020

30) Crafts - Metal Engraver, France: "La Poste" (French Post) has issued a 1.40 Euro Postage stamp commemorating the Art of Metal Engraving: Date of stamp issue: 18.11.2020

31) "Torda Penguin", France: "Birds of the Islands Postage Stamps of 1.08 Euro issued by La Poste (French Post) featuring the Torda Penguin from the Douarnenez Bay: Date of Stamp issue: 11.01.2021

32) Endangered Birds of Martinique, Guadaloupe and Reunion Islands & Brittany, France: Postage Stamps issued by La Poste (French Post) depicting these birds: Date of Stamps issue: 23.12.2020

33) "Mosaique de Paysages: (Typical French Landscapes), France: La Poste (French Post) has issued a Booklet of 12 Stamps depicting typical Landscapes of 12 French Regions: Date of Stamp set issue: 05.01.2021

34) "Lucky Luke - A Cowboy in High Cotton," France: A 50 Euro Gold Coin issued by Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) depicting Lucky Luke shooting his own shadow: Year of Coin issue: 2021

35) "Chanel No. 5" Centenary (1922-2021/22), France: La Poste France (French Post) has released a set of two Stamps of 1.08 Euro and 2.16 Euro to commemorate the milstone of the launch of the iconic French Perfume in 1922: Date of Stamps issue: 25.01.2021

36) Jean Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Artist, France: La Poste France (French Post) has issued a Postage Stamp of 2.56 Euros, depicting his popular untitled painting "Skull": Date of Stamp issue: 08.02.2021/1686-jean-michel-basquiat-1960-1988.html

37) "Animal Footprints", Republic of France:: La Poste, France (French Post) has brought out a set of 12 Postage stamps in a Booklet/Notebook with illustrations of Animal Footprints: Date of Stamp Set issue: 15.02.2021

38) "Le Petit Prince" (or "The Little Prince") - Take me to the Moon, France: 75th Anniversary Milestone commemorated (1946-2021): Gold 200 Euro, 50 Euro & 5 Euro and Silver 10 Euro Coins minted by the Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint): Year of Coin issue: 2021

39) "Ecole Nationale Des Chartes" ("National School of Charters), France: A Stamp of 2.56 Euro issued by LaPoste, France (French Post): Date of Stamp issue: 23.02.2021

40) 75th Anniversary of the UNICEF (1946-2021), France: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has issued a Commemorative 2 Euro Bimetallic Coin celebrating the milestone: Year of Coin Issue: 2021

41) "The Kid" - Charles Spencer Chaplin (or "Charlie Chaplin"), France: La Poste France (French Post) has issued a 1.50 Euro Postage Stamp on the first Feature Film of Charlie Chaplin: Date of Stamp issue: 01.03.2021

42) Order of Agricultural Merit, Republic of France: La Poste. France (French Post) has issued a postage stamp of 1.08 Euro celebrating theAgricultural Territories & Varieties of Agricultural produce: Date of Stamp issue: 02.03.2021

43) Simone Lucie Ernestine Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir (09.01.1908-14.08.1986), France: A Postage stamp of 1.28 Euro issued by La Poste France (French Post) in her memoray: Date of Stamp issue: 08.03.2021

44) Vassily Kandinsky, Painter, France: A Stamps Booklet titled "In the Circle" brought outby La Poste, France (French Post) dedicated to the artist: Date of Stamps issue: 29.03.2021

45) Pont-en-Royans, France: La Poste, France (French Post) has issued a Postage Stamp of 1.28 Euros featuring this quaint village with medieval architecture from the Sixteenth Century, with colourful Hanging Houses: Date of Stamp issue: 06.04.2021

46) Pierre Clostermann and Claire Roman, (both Aviators), France: "Post Airmail Stamp Series": La Poste France (French Post) has brought out a Stamp of 4.71 Euro on the two distinguished aviators during World War II on the 100th Anniversary of Clostermann's Birth and 80th Anniversary of Roman's Death: Date of Stamp issue: 06.08.2021

47) Groupe Bel (or Bel Group or "Fromageries Bel"), France: A Stamp of 1.08 Euro issued by La Poste France (French Post) to commemorate this iconic French Company with branches all over the world: Date of Stamp issue: 19.04.2021

‎48)‎‎ ‎‎ Napoleon I - Bicentenary of his Passing Away (1821-2021). France: Monnaie de Paris is commemorating the milestone with 200 Euro and50 Euro Gold Coins in the shape of the famous hwad-dress emblem of Mapoleon - the "Bicorn": Year of Coin issue: 2021‎

49) Napoleon I - Bicentenary of his Passing Away (1821-2021), France: Monnaie de Paris is commemorating the milestone with 10 & 20 Euro Silver Coins in the shape of the famous head-dress emblem of Napoleon - the "Bicorn": Year of Coin issue: 2021

50) Napoleon I - Bicentenary of his Passing Away (1821-2021), France: A Mint-Set issued on this milestone by Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint): Year of Coin Set issue: 2021

51) The Coronation of Napoleon I - Louvre, France: Silver (50 Euro and 10 Euro) and Cupro-Nickel (1/4 Euro) Coin Variants issued by the Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) commemorating the occasion in the Bicentenary commemoration of Napoleon's Passing away: Year of Coin issue: 2021

52) A Stamp Booklet titled "MOTIFS DE FLEURS" ("Flower Patterns"), brought out by La Poste, France, based on designs kept at the "Musee de I'Impression des Etoffes" ("The Museum of Textile/Fabric Printing") in Mulhouse: Date of StampBooklet issue: 15.05.2021

53) "Dora Maar" (Henriette Theodora Markovitch 22.11.1907 - 16.07.1997), was a French photographer, painter and poet: La Poste France (French Post) has ioissueda commemorative stamp of 2.56 Euros on her: Date of Stamp issue: 31.05.2021

54) Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Artist, France: A postage stamp of 2.56 Euro brought out by La Poste France (French Post) celebrating her work "Le Bateau": Date of Stamp issue: 31.05.2021

55) Centenary of the Highway Code (Traffic Laws) in France: "La Poste" France (French Post)has brought out a Postage Stamp of 1.08 Euro and a Philatelic Document in collaboration with the Road Safety Department celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp & Document issue: 14.06.2021

56) "Solar Impulse", France: "La Poste", France (French Post) has issued a Postage Stamp of 1.08 Euro, featuring the long-range experimental solar-powered Fixed Wing Aircraft using only solarpower to circumnavigate the Globe: Date of Stamp issue: 21.06.2021

57) "Chess Games", France: "La Poste", France (French Post) has issued this Booklet of 12 Adhesive Postage Stamps featuring Stamps portraying the Game of Chess:Date of Stamp Booklet issue: 21.06.2021

58) Faiencerie de Gien, France: Bicentenary Celebrations (1821-2021): La poste France (French Post) has issued a postage stamp of 2.56 Euro celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 06.07.2021

59) Jean de La Fontaine (08.07.1621-13.04.1695), France: A Postage Stamp issued by La Poste France (French Post) featuring characters from his fables: Date of Stamps issue: 12.07.2021

60) Speleology (Caving), France: La Poste, France has issued a postage stamp of 1.50 Euro depicting the science of Speleology: Date of Stamp issue: 26.07.2021

EUROMED stamp issues:

1) "Handicraft Jewellery in the Mediterranean", France: EUROMED theme for 2021: La Poste, France (French Post) has issued a stamp of 1.50 Euro featuring i) "Maltese Cross and its Runner" (Museon Arlaten") ii) "Coulas" Bracelet ("Museon Arlatan") iii) "Coral Ear Pendant" (MuCEM"): Date of Stamp issue: 12.07.2021

Links on Banknotes & Stamps on Charlie Chaplin:

1) Charlie Chaplin: A House Note by CCL Secure of England features the legendary actor, for promoting their latest "Cinema" 3-D Security features/elements for Polymer Banknotes hitherto not seen before on any Banknote

2) "The Kid" - Charles Spencer Chaplin (or "Charlie Chaplin"), France: La Poste France (French Post) has issued a 1.50 Euro Postage Stamp on the first Feature Film of Charlie Chaplin: Date of Stamp issue: 01.03.2021