BIOGRAPHY: Louis Boursier

Louis Boursier was born on 5 May 1974. He went to the Ecole Estienne from 1991 to 1996. He is a pupil of the Master Engraver Gérard Desquand.

Boursier is both engraver and heraldist. In his studio in Paris he engraves his heraldic designs on signet rings, goblets and other items. Besides that he also teaches at the Ecole Estienne.

Boursier started engraving stamps for the French Post in 2012. Amazingly, he won the 'Grand Prix de l'Art Philatélique' for an engraving done that same year, for his miniature sheet on the History of France.

This has since turned into a beautiful series of annual engraved miniature sheets depicting highlights in French history, which is still running today.

In 2014, Boursier repeated his feat of winning the Grand Prix de l'Art Philatélique again, and this time for two issues! Stamp-wise he won the award for his 2014 stamp portraying Jean Jaurès, and in  the 'miniature sheet' category his French History engraving of 2013 won him the award.

By 2016, it seemed that Boursier's annual French History miniature sheets were becoming the most lauded series in recent philatelic history. As usual, the French Post organised its annual vote on best stamp etc, in various categories. But in 2017, when voting on the 2016 issues, it created a new, special prize for the best engraving. Rather than the general public having a say, a panel of experts decided on the winner. And the winner as the French History sheetlet of 2016, engraved by Boursier!

In an interview, Boursier once remarked that although he did think hand-engraved stamps were works of art, and to be applauded as being 'art for the people', he does not see them as a true expression of the artist. The reason being, he said, that so many other people interfere with the artistic process, that the end result is usually no longer the artist's vision of the original concept.

You will find Louis Boursier's database HERE.