France – offices in the Levant

About 1840, the first French post office in the region was opened in Constantinople, using French stamps. More offices were eventually opened throughout the Ottoman Empire. Usages are recognizable by CDS or numbered killer/obliterator. See: France – offices in the Levant cancels.
 * In 1885, three values of the French type Sage/Peace and Navigation issue were overprinted in piasters for use in the Levant.
 * More values similarly overprinted followed in 1886, 1890-91, and 1900.
 * In 1902-03, types Blanc/Mouchon/Merson were issued, inscribed LEVANT. Sevveral values were srucharged in piasters.
 * In 1905, a provisional surcharge for Beirut was released, inscribed 1 Piastre / Beyrouth.
 * In 1921, French Sowers stamps were overprinted in paras and piasters. Two additional values were issued in 1922.
 * In 1923, 3 provisional handstamped surcharges were issued.
 * In July 1923, the Ottoman Empire closed all foreign post offices.

 File:Fr levant 1pi on 25c.jpg|1886 1 piaster File:French levant 2pi.jpg|1890 2pi on 50c value. File:FR levant 40c merson.jpg|1902 40c Merson. File:Samsoun cancel.jpg|1902 2pi on 50c Merson with Samsoun cancel. File:Fr Levant Mouchon 15c.jpg|1903 15c Mouchon. File:Fr Levant Beyrouth surch.jpg|1905 Beirut provisional surcharge. File:Fr off Turkey 1pi20.jpg|1920 1pi 20pa value. File:Fr Levant 7pi handstamp.jpg|1923 7pi20pa on 35c handstamp surcharge. 

In 1941, British and Free French forces re-took the Greater Syria region from the Vichy government.  File:Fr Levant 2f50 surch.jpg|1942 2.50fr on 12½pi value. File:French Levant FAFL air.jpg|1942 6.50fr on 50pi airmail. File:Fr Levant camels 2.jpg|1942 1fr Palmyra definitive. File:Fr Levant wing surch.jpg|1942 6.50fr wings airmail. 
 * In 1942, stamps of Syria or Lebanon were surcharged with FORCES FRANÇAISES LIBRE / LEVANT.
 * Syrian airmails were surcharged LIGNES / AERIENNES / F.A.F.L. and new values.
 * Definitives were issued also in 1942 with a view of camel cavalry outside Palmyra, inscribed FORCES FRANÇAISES LIBRE / LEVANT.
 * Two airmail stamps and a souvenir sheet were issued showing multiple wing emblems, inscribed LIGNES AERIENNES DE LA FRANCE LIBRE.
 * In 1943, surcharges followed with RESISTANCE inscribed.
 * Also in 1943, a 4fr on 3fr definitive showing a bomber was issued for airmail service.

[[Category:F]]