Due to the Siege of Paris, rest of France had to suffer a lack of postage stamps. The French Government then based in Bordeaux ordered emergency on site printings of some unperforated stamps bearing the effigy of Ceres from year end 1870 to early 1871.

The first design of the 20c was not satisfactory and it was printed only between November 13th and 19th, 1870. Two other designs were printed. This first type is extremely rare.