France Identification Help

Has anyone seen a stamp like this before? I can't find it in Scott, although I'm sure that someone with access to a Y&T catalogue might recognize it.

The only information I could find anywhere is that it might be a privately issued stamp, and not even used for postage.

Of course, I also have the other standard question - does it have any significant inherent value, or is it not even worth holding on to?

Any assistance appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Looks to be more of a revenue or possibly a lottery stamp. Never seen it before. Does it have any markings on the back?

http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/i...guage,G.html


Same image on this bill /`Factura`/(angel with lion, palm tree etc.), upper left corner. A trade company from Strasbourg (?) or mail-order house...

No, there are no back markings, and the absence of words like "Postes" made me question whether it even was a stamp. The absence of a country name is also telling - I knew it was likely French because it came as a part of a France auction lot that I purchased last month. The language helped, too.

The only reference I could find anywhere to "timbre prime" is that it may have been a savings stamp of some sort. The face value would probably have been related to the value of an initial purchase, the stamps could be redeemed them on future purchases. Any of my fellow Canadians would probably be familiar with one of our modern equivalents - Canadian Tire Money.

Thanks to both of you for your responses.