An early sale of the new stamp bearing the image of the legendary Beast of Gévaudan in Mende

L’Amicale des collectionneurs du Gévaudan propose aussi des cartes postales. Midi Libre – Anaïs Da Silva

La Poste et l’Amicale des collectionneurs du Gévaudan sont présentes à la salle Simone-de-Beauvoir, place du Foirail, ces vendredi 28 et samedi 29 juin 2024, pour la mise en circulation d’un nouveau timbre-poste.

Once upon a time there was the Beast of Gévaudan. A legendary animal which has claimed a hundred victims – dead or injured – in the region, between 1764 and 1767. It is in his image that a new postal stamp was created and engraved by Christophe Laborde-Balen, a retired postman from La Poste. An advance sale of the sticker is organized, at the Simone-de-Beauvoir room, place du Foirail, in Mende, this Friday, 28, and Saturday, June 29, 2024.

Collectors of the Beast and stamps

Since the room opened at 9 a.m., many stamp enthusiasts and collectors have passed through the door on this first day. "We were not yet installed, people were already there, smiled Marcel Garcia, former president of the’ Friendly of Gévaudan collectors. Every five minutes there is a sale."

Michel Levieux is a collector of the Beast of Gévaudan. Midi Libre – Anaïs Da Silva

This event not only attracts philatelists, but also those of legend. This is the case of Michel and Patrick Levieux, two brothers who have been collecting, for thirty years, everything related to the Beast of Gévaudan. They traveled from Rieutort-de-Randon for the occasion. "I’bought two sheets of stamps, i.e. 30 copies, indicates the first. But it doesn&rsquo ;is not pretty pretty… I expected better from the creator I know."

300 postcards and 1 050 stamps for the occasion

For the advance sale, nearly 1 050 postal stamps are being put up for sale. "From Monday July 1, they will be available at the price of 1.29 €, printed in 594 000 copies and available in many post offices", explains Stéphane Laporte, responsible for commercial spaces at La Poste.

A postcard, published in 300 copies, is also offered by the Gévaudan Collectors' Association, always linked to the legend of the 18th century. "It is specially sold during these two days until stock lasts", specifies Marcel Garcia. It is composed of an artistic representation of the Beast of Gévaudan, the new stamp and a unique La Poste stamp. "This n&rsquo ;is not the first stamp that represents the Beast, underlines Marcel Garcia. In 2009, it was dedicated to the wolf."

On sale at the Simone-de-Beauvoir room, place du Foirail, in Mende. This Saturday, June 29: from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prices: 1.29 euros; the stamp; 3 €, the postcard. I subscribe to read more