Last Vichy Govt Issues - Reunion 1943 Complete Mint Never-Hinged Set of 12

During World War II the Nazi-controlled French Vichy Government issued this historic set celebrating the 300th anniversary of the French settlement of the island of Reunion. The beautifully-engraved stamps show Jacques de Pronis landing on the island in 1642 with cameos of King Louis XIII and his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu. The 6 airmail stamps show Pierre Poivre unloading spices that he smuggled from the Dutch East Indies and introduced to the island in 1769. (Reunion #177B-G, C13A-F)