2004 GREAT BRITAIN

2004 Great Britain Entente Cordiale A Century of Anglo-French Co-operation

Despite centuries of history alternating between war and peace Britain and France's imperial expansion continued during the 19th century with few clashes until July 1898 when the French sought to increase their influence in the Egyptian territory of Sudan as part of their expansion from West Africa. At the same time the British were expanding southwards from Egypt. Troops from both countries arrived at Fashoda and Kitchener and Marchand agreed that the Egyptian, British & Frech flags should all be flown from the fort.
The French Foreign Minister, Declasse, proposed co-existence between the French and British Empires and the ensuing Entente Cordiale gave France influence over Morocco and the west, and Britain over Egypt and the east. The Anglo-French accord was signed in London on 8 April 1904, and it virtually ended colonial rivalry.


Sir Terry Frost (1915-2003) was one of Britain's most distinguished and passionate abstract artists. Born in Leamington Spa he was a prisoner of war in 1941 and later studied art in Birmingham. His career spanned six decades, much of it spent living and working in south west Cornwall. Sadly he died before knowing his work was to appear on a stamp.
Sonia Delaunay (1855-1979) was born in Ukraine as Sarah Stern (nicknamed Sonia). She studied art in Karlsruhe and Paris in 1905 and married French painter Robert Delaunay. She was the first living female artist to have a retrospective exhibition at the Louvre in 1964 and in 1975 was named an officer of the French Legion of Honor.