5c 1898 Imperforate Effets de Commerce with U-shaped Ornament – 1902 Use

 

An issue of imperforate Effets on cream paper with a two-pronged u-shaped ornament appeared in 1898.  Barefoot claims that only six low denominations (5c, 10c, 15c, 20c, 25c and 50c) and two higher  denominations (1F and 10F) were issued.  However, my collection contains a few used examples of red-color denominations with values between 1F and 10F, albeit such examples are scarce.  So we really don’t know for sure how many denominations this issue included.  Perhaps a sufficient supply of denominations between 1F and 10F was available such that the intermediate denominations were printed but not widely distributed, as Barefoot lists the 2F50, 3F, 4F, 4F50, and 5F red as having been surcharged in 1920 (Barefoot No. 143, 144, 146, 147 and 148).

Here the lowest denomination—the 5 centime—is used on a bank draft by Chemiserie Strasbourgeoise J. Heymann for 72.25 francs dated 3 November 1902 and drawn on the Société Général Alsacienne de Banque Luxembourg in favor of a payee in Niederwiltz.  The stamp is pen canceled “J.H. 3 Nov. 1902.”

I previously posted a 1906 use of the 1898 imperforate one-franc red here.