Dual Franking • Rouen Premier Jour • M. Dery Cachet
OVERVIEW
This is an original 1958 France First Day Cover (FDC) honoring Charles Nicolle, the renowned French bacteriologist, Nobel Prize laureate, and longtime director of the Institut Pasteur in Tunis.
The cover features an exceptionally attractive medical-themed illustrated cachet signed by M. Dery and bears official Premier Jour cancellations from Rouen dated January 25, 1958.
Enhanced by dual franking on both the front and reverse, this is an outstanding mid-century French medical topical combining science, microbiology, and classic French philatelic presentation.
POSTAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Charles Nicolle (1866–1936) was one of the leading medical scientists of the early twentieth century and received the 1928 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for identifying the transmission method of epidemic typhus through the human body louse.
Born in Rouen and later appointed director of the Institut Pasteur in Tunis in 1902, Nicolle became internationally recognized for his pioneering infectious disease research.
This commemorative issue reflects postwar France’s continued celebration of scientific achievement and medical advancement.
STAMP AND FRANKING DATA
The primary front franking consists of the 1958 France 15 Franc Charles Nicolle commemorative printed in dark blue intaglio engraving.
This issue is cataloged as Scott 867, Yvert & Tellier 1144, Michel 1189, and Stanley Gibbons 1352. The cover bears two sharp “PREMIER JOUR / CH. NICOLLE / 25 JANV. 58 / ROUEN” circular datestamps, one tying the stamp securely to the envelope and the second providing balanced display presentation.
The reverse flap features an additional 5 Franc Saintonge Provincial Arms definitive in blue and yellow, tied by a partial Rouen cancellation.
This secondary franking is cataloged as Scott 819, Yvert & Tellier 1005, Michel 1031, and Stanley Gibbons 1231.
The dual-franking arrangement adds an additional postal-history dimension highly desirable to specialized French First Day Cover collectors.
CACHET AND DESIGN
The illustrated cachet, signed by M. Dery and serviced through J. Farcigny of Courbevoie, is executed in vivid mid-century lithographic style using blue, black, and red inks.
Central imagery includes a large microscope, stylized microbial forms, and the Rod of Asclepius, visually reinforcing Nicolle’s contributions to bacteriology and medical science.
Printed bilingual “Premier Jour D’Emission / First Day Cover” text appears prominently at upper right, while the lower panel references Nicolle’s medical career and appointment to the Institut Pasteur in Tunis.
ITEM SPECIFICS
Country: France
Region: Rouen
Topic: Medicine • Bacteriology • Nobel Prize • Science
Front Stamp: Charles Nicolle 15f
Front Catalog Numbers: Scott 867 • Yvert 1144 • Michel 1189 • SG 1352
Rear Stamp: Saintonge Arms 5f
Rear Catalog Numbers: Scott 819 • Yvert 1005 • Michel 1031 • SG 1231
Stamp Colors: Dark Blue • Blue & Yellow
Cachet Artist: M. Dery
Servicing Firm: J. Farcigny
Cancel Type: Premier Jour Circular Datestamp
Cancel Date: January 25, 1958
Cancel Location: Rouen, France
Format: First Day Cover
Themes: Medical History • Institut Pasteur • Laboratory Science
Custom SKU: FRA-1958-NICOLLE-DUALFDC
CONDITION
This First Day Cover remains in excellent collectible condition with strong structural integrity and sharp overall eye appeal.
The envelope paper remains clean and crisp with only minor age-related handling visible near the edges and flap area.
Both stamps retain strong color, intact perforations, and clean impressions.
The Rouen Premier Jour cancellations are dark, complete, and fully legible.
The cachet artwork remains vivid and unfaded, while the reverse auxiliary franking remains securely affixed and properly tied by the partial Rouen cancel.