The London Series (France Libre)

Free France (or France Libre) was the movement led by Charles de Gaulle during World War II, formed in opposition to the Vichy regime that had collaborated with Nazi Germany after France’s defeat in 1940. Following the fall of France, de Gaulle, a general at the time, fled to London, where he delivered his famous Appeal of 18 June 1940 on the BBC, urging the French people to resist the German occupation and continue the fight. This broadcast marked the beginning of Free France, a movement that sought to rally French colonies, military forces, and citizens to resist the Axis powers and reject the legitimacy of the Vichy government under Marshal Philippe Pétain. Free France established itself as the legitimate French government in exile and worked closely with the Allies, particularly Britain and later the United States, to support the liberation of France.

The French India stamps of the London Series were printed in London while the region was under Free French control after France was occupied by Nazi Germany. The French National Committee in London ordered and issued the printing of stylized lotus flower stamps to raise funds for their war efforts. General de Gaule appointed Endomnd Dulac to design stamps for the colonies, and one Major Hackin selected the lotus design for India. The stamps were printed using the Photogravure technique and carried a perforation of 14 x 14½. Thomas de La Rue & Co. London were the printers.