French Overprint?

This is a weird question, but is this stamp canceled or an over print?

joe
it's canceled. "affranchi" means "frank"

It is a French pre-cancel.

The printer had tooooo much Cognac.

...just an observation.

Yes, A French precancel and that type is found on several issues of French definitive stamp types.

If I remember correctly, a couple of French colonies used it too (?)

Chimo

Bujutsu

Yvert designates the precancels as two types, p. and r. We've discussed them specifically here before, with some examples. Basically, the p. is finer, with bright ink, and the r. is fatter, with duller ink. Yours looks like an r., to me.

The underlying stamp is found in two types, type I and type II. The type I stamp is found with each type of pre-cancel; the type II stamp is only listed with the r. pre-cancel.

The only variety with a higher catalogue value is the type I with the p. pre-cancel. (So I don't think that is yours, but I would listen to a second opinion.)

Just want to thank all those who took the time to answer. Really appreciated.

Algeria did

You can also find early types with the full 'Affranchissements'

Thanks Peterthio

I thought it was Algeria but couldn't pin-point it

Chimo

Bujutsu