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 since at least the mid-1930s 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. Some but not all have a protective tissue or glassine overleaf.

These began as prints on die-sunk thick paper with a distinctive 3-hole control mark called the haricot ("string bean") also found on stamp sheets. Epreuves deluxe then became die-sunk prints on thin card probably sometime in the 1970s. Since 1992 they have become gummed prints on thin card without die sinking.  File:FSAT deluxe proof.jpg|1976 French Southern and Antarctic Territories 40c definitive. 

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