France: Couperin

France issued a semi-postal stamp honoring Francois Couperin in 1968. Couperin le Grand ("the Great") was born and died in Paris, 1668-1733, so the stamp was in honor of his 300th anniversary. Couperin was a composer, organist and harpsichordist. His organ works generally appear collected in a single volume, arranged as two Masses. They are staples for beginning organists, but are satisfying for performers of all types. To compare, there are four volumes of harpsichord music extant.

I have an FDC of the 1968 stamp. Interestingly, the French postal authority usually  provides to impressions of the first-day cancel, one touching the stamp to actually cancel it, and a second placed so one can see it clearly. The stamp, cancel and cachet all feature likenesses of the composer. This stamp was part of a set of four, the others depicting General Louis Desaix de Veygoux; a painting by Saint-Pol-Roux, or Paul-Pierre Roux; and Paul Cloudel, poet and diplomat. All the stamps are denominated 30c + 10c. My catalog does not mention for what the surtax may have been designated. The Couperin stamp, Scott B417, is in purple with a portrait of the composer and a collection of instruments including a harpsichord,a  couple of stringed instruments, and a metronome.

Francoise Couperin was for many years organist at St Gervais in Paris, a position held by both his father, Charles, and his uncle Louis. This in addition to musical duties at court.

 

Facade at St Gervais