Number by catalogue:  Michel: 7395   Yvert: A1770  

Perforation type: 11x11

Subject:

Lettre verte - Green letter 20g to France. Face value € 0,88 on day of issue.

Grande forge with a waterwheels in Buffon*

On the stamp, above the word Grande, there are 3 wheels on the left side of the building. One outside and two evenly spaced under awnings.

Additional:

*The Great Forge was built in 1768 by the famous naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. It is a perfect expression of the philosophy of rationalism, and is a jewel of the Enlightenment era.

The Grande Forge de Buffon was one of the first “integrated factories” of the 18th century. The premises are in fact designed for the optimization of the stages of production. They bring together industrial facilities, the master's house and workers' homes in one space.

Around a large rectangular courtyard (100 × 50 m), which is accessed by two monumental gates (forged on site in 1768) supported on two large pillars of quite remarkable freestone, are arranged the residential buildings of the staff at a higher level of 6 meters above the river as well as the residence of the master and the managers as well as the sheds and iron stores. A bakery, a vegetable garden and a chapel are also accessible to workers. In addition, an orangery and a dovecote complete the set.

In the productive part, the most remarkable building is the blast furnace. Its access is via a majestic staircase which allows distinguished guests to admire the flow of molten metal. Powered by the Armançon, paddlewheels provide the hydraulic force necessary to power machinery such as bellows, hammers, bocard and patouillet. The iron is then cut into bars in the foundry using fluted rollers.

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Your attention - a little video story about the blacksmith provided the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Foundation of France (in French)

Size (of sheet, booklet) mm: 256x54

Topics: Industrial mills Various Watermills