France 732

     France issued a stamp in 1954 to commemorate the introduction of the metric system in France. The stamp features an allegorical figure measuring the earth. (The basic unit of the metric system is the meter defined as 1 ten millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian passing through Paris.) The area shown on the map is centered at approximately 35°E and 0°

Romania 1873-1874

     ("Decaris" at the bottom of the stamp refers to the engraver, Albert Decaris (1901-1988). During his career he engraved over 600 stamps for France, Canada, Algeria, Andorra, and other countries. In 1901 he was recognized by France with a commemorative stamp in his honor.)

     In 1966 Romania issued a two stamp set to commemorate Romania's adoption of the metric system in 1866. The high value defines the value of a meter as 1/10,000,000 of the distance on a meridian from the equator to the North Pole through Paris. The low value has a diagram identifying some of the abbreviations associated with the system.