France - Colonial Issues Proofs???

This is not the only time that I have noticed finely produced proofs for the Omnibus sets of post war French Territories. This set is typical being from the French West Africa and being of the Chad to the Rhine Airmail set.

These are on very good quality Laid Paper (A mixture of vertical and horizontal laid lines) with the stamp produced on a press and centred in a depressed printing area. Colours are the same as on the stamps themselves. Each has an impressed seal reading "Republique Francaise - Ministere des Colonies" (French Republic - Ministry of Colonies).

Can anyone out there tell me how or why these were produced and how they were made available to the public.

A beautifully done collateral item but little that I can find out about them.

I'm not sure if this will be helpful to you but
here is a good site that goes into great detail
regarding French Die Proofs

http://www.dieproofs.it/english/int...one_eng.html

They appear to be Deluxe Proofs.

Can you expand on that, Postmaster? I don't think that I have ever run across that term before. Is it something that was produced specifically for the Philatelic Market?

backroads,

See if this helps. There's a paragraph or two at the bottom about the colonial deluxe proofs, including some examples with the same embossed seal.

Very Helpful! Thank you, postmaster