Epreuve deluxe

An epreuve deluxe, or deluxe proof, is a special proof created for France, its colonies and the French community. These have been used as presentation items to dignitaries but also have been released for sale to the philatelic trade. Printing estimates for the earlier issues have been reported to be as low as 50.

There have been various sizes used over the years. In the case of sets, they can exist both as single prints or in groups or even complete sets, known as collectif/collective deluxe proofs.

These began as prints on die-sunk thick paper with a distinctive 3-hole mark also found on some earlier souvenir sheets. They then became die-sunk prints on thin card. Since 1992 they have become gummed prints on thin card without die sinking. 



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