BARRE, Jean-Jacques
(b. 1793 Paris, d. 1855 Paris)
French medallist, the general engraver at the Monnaie de Paris between 1842 and 1855. In this position, he engraved and designed French medals, bank notes and postage stamps. He is named “Jean-Jacques Barre” in numismatic publications and “Jacques-Jean Barre” in philatelic ones. From the late 1840’s until 1855, he created the first two French postage stamp designs: the Ceres series and Napoleon III series.
His two sons, artists themselves, Albert Désiré and Jean-Auguste succeeded him at the post of general engraver.