France moved to include the “art of intaglio postage stamp engraving” on its intangible cultural heritage list on 24 October 2023. The official recognition of this particular technique by the Ministry of Culture is a source of pride for stamp artists and engravers, intaglio printers, and collectors. It follows a campaign by the engraved stamp association “Art du Timbre Gravé” (ATG), supported by the La Poste Group, the Association for the Development of Philately (Adphile), the French Federation of Philately Associations (FFAP), the French Chamber of Philately Traders and Experts (CNEP), the Musée de La Poste in Paris, the Cercle de la Presse Philatélique (CPP), and the Monaco Stamp Issuing Office. Pascal Rabier, President of ATG, is now calling for intaglio stamp engraving to be added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
