France Valentine day stamps

The first ever France Valentine day "designer hearts" stamps were issued in 2000. The stamps, designed by the Yves Saint-Laurent couture house, represent 2 facing snakes and a face. These valentine stamps were also available in a booklet of 10 adhesive stamps and a souvenir sheet.



Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

In 2001 it's up to Christian Lacroix to design the valentine heart stamps set. One stamp and a souvenir sheet were issued. The souvenir sheet is beautiful. It represents buttons on a tunic, with the heart shaped stamps hanging on it. A much better set than 2000.



Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

Unfortunately, 2002 is a designer-less year. The valentine heart-shaped stamp was done by photograph Yann-Arthus Bertrand. The designer's valentine stamps are back in 2003 with a set designed by the Torrente fashion house. The souvenir sheet is my favorite, so sleek and sexy.


Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

2004 is a vintage year! Karl Lagerfeld agreed to create the design for the 2 Chanel stamps. The 0.50c value represent a bottle of Chanel n.5 and the 0.70c value has a supermodel in front of the Eiffel tower. Both stamps are also available in self-adhesive. The mini-sheet of 5 stamps is an intricate design of bows and necklaces.



Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

Cacharel is featured on the 2005 valentine day stamps. The 0.82c value is my favorite valentine stamps! It represent the Cacharel bird. Did you know that cacharel is a little bird from France's Camargue region.




Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

Jean-Louis Scherrer is the french designer chosen for the 2006 France Valentine day stamps. 2 different stamps were issued both in regular and self-adhesive version, and a beautiful souvenir sheet.



Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

A disappointing 2007 Valentine stamps issue by Givenchy. I was expecting something more original than just their logo and a wreath plastered on the stamps and souvenir sheet.



Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

Franck Sorbier is the fashion designer chosen in 2008 by La poste for the valentine issues. I had to look him up, I had no idea who he was. You can check out is latest collection on his web site.

Esteban Cortezar, the artistic director of Ungaro, has designed these beautiful 2009 Valentine stamps. Both stamps feature parrots and flowers, and a beautiful lady in a pink dress adorn the souvenir sheet. The stamps are available in adhesive form and come in a booklet as well.



Scott catalog numbers for these stamps:regular stamps, souvenir sheet, adhesive stamps

For the basic collection (regular stamps, self-adhesive stamps and souvenir sheet) you will not ruin yourself! The souvenir sheets are at the most 10$ a piece. Don't pay more than that per piece!! The regular stamps runs between 1.50$-3$ a piece. The adhesive version are a bit harder to find and can run up to 5$-8$ (then again, don't pay more than this).

Yes there is.

All the stamps shown here also come on what is called FDC's (First Day Cover). It is a printed enveloppe franked with stamps or souvenir sheet and bearing a special cancel. Some of these FDC's are issued by the post office, some others are issued for stamp shows.

These are much harder to get and more expensive than the stamps and souvenir sheet. I have seen very few around. They are not often offered on ebay because they are rare, but they are not scarce enough to be sold at the big auction houses.

For the covers you can expect to pay anywhere from 5$ to 20$, even more if there is a bidding war. As I said they are rarely offered for sale. If you see one, you grab it, don't wait and "think about it". I lost a very nice cover that way once!

Here's a FDC's gallery, you can click to enlarge any of these (will open in another page/tab):

Valentine day also rhymes with chocolate! The french postal service have just issued a superb souvenir sheet of 10 stamps. Not only does this mini-sheets looks like the real thing....it also smells like choclolate!