DATED 1887, IRON-RED REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE 87 MARKS AND REMNANT OF GREEN LOZENGE MARK, POTTER'S PN, AB AND 86-1, SIGNED T.(AXILE) DOAT

The League of Patriots (Ligues des Patriotes) was founded in 1882 by the nationalist poet Paul Déroulède, historian Henri Martin, and the politician, and future President of France, Félix Faure. The French organization was founded in response to France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian war primarily to further pre-military training. Members included literarians like Victor Hugo, scholars and politicians. While the organization's trajectory shifted in the 1890's, the early inception is often credited with pioneering French Nationalism.