Los Nr. 358

1970: Albert Decaris (1901-1988) Original hand drawn essay for a sport topical stamp issued by France in 1970 ”0,45c WORLD GAMES FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED” showing a wheelchair race. mentioning in the margins the colours to be used ”JEUX MONDIAUX DES HANDICAPES PHYSIQUES - 1970 SAINT ETIENNE” (maquette d'artiste: un athlete en chaise roulante lanceur de javelo). Measurements 21cm x 27cm - Signed by Decaris. The artist had submitted further proposals, finally a different version, also by Decaris, was used for this issue. The adopted design for the 0Fr45c was a javelin thrower in a wheelchair. Albert Decaris (1901-1988), was born in Sotteville-lès-Rouen (Seine-Maritime), the multiple facets of the art of this exceptional engraver manifested themselves in very diverse fields: first Grand Prix of Rome, illustration of books, frescoes or murals, decorations of chapels, official painter of the Marine. Author of a very large number of stamps (506 French stamps engraved between 1935 and 1985, but also stamps for Andorra, Monaco, African countries and overseas territories), La Poste paid tribute to him on the occasion of the centenary of his birth. A UNIQUE ARTIST SKETCH OF ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED FRENCH STAMP ENGRAVERS. (M)