This issue commemorates the 40th anniversary of Sabine de Gandon.
In 1976 under the presidency of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, it was decided to replace the too modern Marianne of Pierre Béquet, by a Marianne who was to symbolize the reconciliation of the French. The artist Pierre Gandon chosen to make this new stamp of current use was inspired by the painting of Jacques-Louis David Les Sabines stopping the fight between the Romans and Sabines.
On 17 December 1977 the first two values of this first major series of intaglio printed stamps will be issued: the 80 cents green for the non-urgent fold and the 1 franc red for the letter, according to the postal rate of the August 2, 1976.
The other values of Sabine will be issued the following years, it will be replaced in 1982 by a Liberty created by Gandon (inspired by Delacroix).
The block has 5 green stamps and 5 red stamps identical to those of 1977, which revolve around their enlarged version, in a modern and elegant composition.
By looking well, you will find a microtext repeated 4 times in each of the 2 large Sabine.
The block is sold in a crystal pouch, accompanied by a short text written by Jean-Jacques Rabineau, a member of the Academy of Philately. The text sheet also shows the models made at the time by Pierre Gandon.
