The Balcony (Le Balcon) - Stamp Reproduction
Philatelic item (postage stamp or decorative sticker); miniature offset print on perforated paper • After Edouard Manet (French, 1832–1883)
Style & Movement
Impressionism / Realism (Modern reproduction of a 19th-century masterpiece)
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset lithography or digital printing on adhesive or gummed paper with die-cut perforations
Creation Period
Late 20th to 21st Century (modern reproduction of an 1868-1869 painting)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 1 inch by 1.5 inches; vertical portrait format with scalloped (perforated) edges
Subject Description
Four figures on a balcony: seated painter Berthe Morisot (left), painter Jean Baptiste Antoine Guillemet (standing center), and Fanny Claus (right). A fourth shadowy figure is visible in the background. The composition is famous for its high contrast and green iron railings.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the item appears intact with bright colors, though handled as a novelty item
Estimated Market Value
$0.10 - $1.00 USD (nominal value as a single stamp/sticker)
Auction Estimate
N/A - Not a high-value auction asset; commonly sold in bulk lots for philatelists or stationery enthusiasts
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial item; likely part of a museum gift shop set, a thematic stamp collection, or art-related stationery
Art Historical Significance
The original painting (1868) is a seminal work of early Modernism, currently held by the Musée d'Orsay. It shocked contemporaries with its use of vivid green and flat lighting. This reproduction signifies the painting's enduring status as a global cultural icon.
Notable Features
Includes the distinct green balcony railings characteristic of Manet's original work; die-cut edges suggest it is intended to mimic a postage stamp
Condition Issues
Possible minor handling wear; edges are delicate due to perforations
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a pH-neutral glassine sleeve or stamp album away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the printing inks