Thanks to the hard work of Jan Gane and MIck Bister we were able to send a detailed response to this question: which was much appreciated.
Jan racked down the following reference in our Journal to the Catalogue Libération (8th edition), by Pierre Mayer; 116pp. [Liberation overprints reproduced in colour for 220 towns; and several chapters devoted to issues of Lorient, Dunkirk, and naval post.]
The Pierre Mayer catalogue is now run by his daughter from whom copies can be bought. Write to Martine Mayer Philatélie, 42, rue de la Filature, CH1227 Carouge, Switzerland or contact her at m.mayerphilatelie@gmail.com.
However, I am informed that the Mayer catalogue does not give advice on detecting forgeries and Mick Bister, one of our Members feels that there is a risk that the problem of forgeries problem has been exaggerated, although these definitely exist for some stamps such as overprints on the Hitler heads of Alsace. Mick also pointed out that Martine Mayer does offer an expertisation process but as with many such services this may not be cheap.
In our Journal:
Jan also tracked down the following:
Journal of the France & Colonies P S - April 2018 # 286 - A reference in "Recently Published Articles p42": to the Association des Collectionneurs des Timbres de la Libération et de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. The Association publishes a twice-yearly journal which over the past few years has grown in content, and has moved beyond simply dealing with stamps and the postal history of the period.
The first double issue of 2016 (189/190) covers in detail the liberation of the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th arrondissements of Paris and includes also detailed articles on the Atelier des Faux, the issues in Paris of the Mouvement de Libération Nationale, and the huge variety of liberation overprints in the Paris area. The second double issue of 2016 continues with the liberation of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements and the areas round Paris. The liberation of Montreuil, Conflans, Mureaux, Nanterre, and Neuilly-sur-Seine are all described along with their overprinted liberation stamps. The final article described the part played in the liberation of Paris by the Nueve, the 9th company of the Second (Leclerc) Armoured Division, which was composed mainly of Spanish Republican refugees who had joined the new Division when it was formed in Chad. This issue concludes with a description of a bunker built under the Gare de l’Est in Paris. All of the articles are well-illustrated.
The first double issue of 2017 (193/194) looks at the landings in Provence in August/September 1944 with various articles on different aspects supplemented by a discussion on postal arrangements on the Marine Française ships involved and the use of the overprinted American 6c stamp. The second double issue (195/196) continues with the same theme, concentrating first on the two weeks at the end of August and continuing with the liberation of La Valbonne and the battle for Marseille. A lengthy article deals with the liberation overprints of the towns and areas liberated including Digne, Alès, Gap, Provence, Cannes, Antibes, Vence, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Nice, Montluel, La Valbonne and Marseille. Again all the articles are well-illustrated with contemporary photographs and illustrations of the overprints.
There are then three more recent articles– by one of our very experienced Members (and former President) Mick Bister. These were also published in our Journal but we currently only have the issues between 2000 - 2020 accessible (and searchable) on-line. However, Mick has kindly agreed that Jan may send you (digital) copies if you so wish.
Recent articles
Journal of France & Colonies P.S. - April 2022 #298 – Liberating France from Fascism, the postage stamp way
Journal of France & Colonies P.S. – December 2022 # 300 The 1944 Liberation stamps of Montreuil-Bellay part 1
Journal of France & Colonies P.S. – April 2023 # 301 The 1944 Liberation stamps of Montreuil-Bellay part 2
