La Poste releases Michel Foucault stamp

La Poste has released a commemorative stamp featuring the French philosopher Michel Foucault, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth. The stamp is available for sale starting October 19 in post offices across France and online.

Stamp design and production details

The stamp was engraved by artist Louis Genty and printed in a run of 500,000 copies. Unlike typical La Poste stamps, which use heliogravure printing, this one showcases artistic craftsmanship, offering a higher level of quality and detail.

Michel Foucault's background and legacy

Michel Foucault was a 20th-century French philosopher known internationally, especially in China. Born in Poitiers, he came from a family of surgeons and studied at the École normale supérieure in Paris from 1946 to 1951.

Foucault's academic career

After earning the agrégation in philosophy, Foucault became a professor of psychology and later philosophy. He concluded his career at the Collège de France, where he held the chair of history of thought systems from 1970 until his death in Paris on June 25, 1984.

Stamp premiere in Poitiers

On October 16, stamp collectors attended a special premiere at the central post office in Poitiers, located near Michel Foucault’s birthplace. The event highlighted the local connection to the philosopher’s legacy.