New Issue: 100 Years of Fragonard Perfumery (France)

Here is another really good new issue from France!

Last year France created a stamp that smelled like a croissant. Well, that was obvious quite successful so they've gone away and now created a stamp that smells of perfume!

It makes sense as the stamps are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fragonard Perfumery.

Maison Fragonard is very famous and has been making perfume since 1926. It is based in the small town of Grasse in the South of France, not far from Nice.

The WOPA website tells us more: "Founded in Grasse in 1926, Fragonard is one of the last traditional perfume houses still operating in the world capital of perfume. For a century, it has cultivated a passion for flowers, colors, and natural materials, maintaining a close connection with Provence, an inexhaustible source of scents and inspiration."

France has also been making heart-shaped stamps for several years, which the WOPA website says "embodies a French tradition: sending love by mail, with style, elegance, and emotion." That is a nice tradition and this year is is combining it with the centenary of Maison Fragonard, which the website says will help to "send happiness, memories, and a touch of perfume by mail".

There are two stamps in the set and they are both heart-shaped and both show flowers. The first one (priced 1.52) is pink and the other (priced 3.10) is purple. Both are scented with orange blossom perfume, which has been "Fragonard's signature fragrance since 2004".

Design Quality: I can't comment on how good these smell but I can say they look fantastic. The painted flowers are beautiful and they fit with the idea of sending love by post and also with the perfume. There are gold ribbons that say "100 years [of] Fragonard Perfumery" (1.52 stamp) and "Fragonard Perfumery, Grasse" (3.10 stamp) This makes them feel official and makes sure the stamps are clearly about Fragonard and not just a scented stamp about flowers. The heart shape really works well. 8/10

Theme and Subject Choice - It seems there is a tradition of creating heart-shaped stamps, so there was always going to be one and celebrating perfume is a good choice. It's also a famous French perfume factory that is celebrating 100 years, so it makes sense to have stamps to celebrate it.  7/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - France is very famous for perfume. Fragonard is very important in this perfume tradition and a centenary is a big event. 7/10

Innovation and Creativity - The heart shape is really good but France has been making these for a while. It's very innovative to make them smell of perfume and I think the paintings of flowers are quite creative. 9/10

Collectability - I have seen some heart-shaped stamps from France before but I didn't know these were a tradition. I think there will be collectors who will want to buy them all. I also think some collectors will like things that are different. 8/10

Personal Appeal - I like the design and I think many of the recent stamps from France are very creative. I bought the Croissant stamp from last year and I may buy this one! 9/10  

Overall score - 48/60