Here is a 40 centimes Merson on a returned cover. Notice the marking "RETOUR A L'ENVOYEUR." The back of this cover tells the story of how hard the post office tried to get this letter delivered. The first date on the postmarks, on the stamp and also on the back of the cover, is August 15, 1905. On the back, we find two attemps on the 16th (notice the different hours on the postmarks), and two additional attempts on the 17th. Quick links: main page / 40 centimes Merson on a returned cover / 40 centimes Merson with an additional sower definitive / four 45 centimes singles on the back of an in-country cover / 50 centimes on a registered cover to Boston

Recommendations for further browsing (including the current article):

Article 3: The second France 2 Francs Merson: The second France 2 Francs Merson was issued in 1907. There is a first 2 Francs Merson, and this web site includes a page dedicated to the Merson issue.

Article 16: France Merson High Values: I show here pages for each stamp showing color variations (5 Francs, 10 Francs, 20 Francs) and pages with dated specimens showing possible usage ranges as well as some representative specimens (5 Francs, 10 Francs, 20 Francs).

Article 30: The first France 2 Francs Merson: The first France 2 Francs Merson is the scarcest value of the series. I show some color variations and a few dated specimens.

Article 65: France Merson 1 Franc: The France Merson 1 Franc was in used between 1900 and the early 1930s. This stamp saw many printings-some shown in this article. Quick links are to: main page / a page with various shades / cancelled specimens / selected blocks / selected covers

Article 95: Merson 3 Francs (two issues) The first Merson 3 Franc was issued in 1924. The second Merson 3 Franc was issued in 1927. This latter stamp was the last Merson to be issued. Besides this page showing color variations, I also show a page with selected postmarks for both issues.

Article 114: Merson 50 Centimes This is the most common Merson type. It received heavy postal usage between 1900 until right before the inflationary period in late 1923. There are at least a hlaf dozen distinct printings. Quick links: color varieties, dated specimens, two covers, and perfins.

Article 131: Merson definitives on cover Here is a selection of four Merson covers. Quick links: main page / 40 centimes Merson on a returned cover / 40 centimes Merson with an additional sower definitive / four 45 centimes singles on the back of an in-country cover / 50 centimes on a registered cover to Boston

Article 194: France Merson Low Values Here is the last article covering this series. Quick links: main page / 40 centimes shades / 40 centimes dated specimens / 40 centimes on cover / 45 centimes shades / 45 centimes dated specimens / 60 centimes shades / 60 centimes dated specimens / 60 centimes on cover