A late addition to the French pages of my 'Resistance' album (now moved to a 'sub-album' of its own) is this stamp:
...which features in a 6-stamp set of French 'Film Actors' from 1994, although given the rather unusual roster they might more accurately be termed 'Entertainers'. (see below)*
There's no doubt, of course, that US-born Josephine Baker was an entertainer: a cabaret artiste, dancer and singer in various styles, of whom more was seen (literally) than probably anyone similarly well-known in the 1930s. She was the first black woman to star in a major film (in 1934) and was later celebrated in the US as a Civil Rights activist.
I have to say I'm not especially impressed by the set of stamps of which this is a part - the USA has done better by her - but there's no doubt she merits a place in any self-respecting (or possibly "all-encompassing") World War 2 collection.
* The others are Yvonne Printemps, Fernandel, Bourvil, Yves Montand, and Coluche. I make that three comedians, a chanteuse, a crooner-turned-actor and JB herself.
PS The stamp fair at which I bought this today is only a hundred yards or so from where Darlene Horton, the American tourist, lost her life last week from a knife attack (I don't know whether this was reported in the States). There were still a good few pavement flowers.
