France 1849-52 20c black Ceres horizontal pair, SG23France 1849 52 20c black Ceres horizontal pair, showing variety, 'Tete beche', SG23. A magnificent appearing horizontal "face to face" tete beche pair and a major French philatelic rarity. The Ceres stamp issue was the French "penny black". A very attractive example with four good to very large margins, used by bold strikes of the diamond grill cancel in black. France were almost 9 years behind the British in issuing their first stamp with the Ceres