Stamp: Belgium, Oostende–Dover 1946, face value 1,75 F (Francos belgas). The stamp depicts a ferry operating on the historic Oostende–Dover maritime route, highlighting the post‑war resumption of this connection. Issued in 1946.
Postmark: Circular date stamps reading “OOSTENDE – 14.VIII.1946” and “OSTENDE–DOVER / 10–7–46 / A – HOBOKEN”. Both cancellations belong to postal services associated with the Oostende maritime terminal and are contemporaneous with the stamp’s period of issue.
Postcard: Commemorative postcard depicting the mail ferry “Prince Baudouin”, shown entering or departing the harbour of Oostende. The vessel appears in a photographic sepia tone, with port infrastructures visible in the background. Caption: “12. Ostende — La Malle ‘Prince Baudouin’. — Ostend — The Mail ‘Prince Baudouin’.” Edition unknown.
Concordance:
Thematic: Excellent thematic concordance. The stamp highlights the Oostende–Dover maritime route, while the postcard depicts the ferry Prince Baudouin, one of the emblematic vessels operating on this same service. Both iconographic elements reinforce the theme of Belgian–British maritime mail transport, ensuring full thematic alignment.
Geographic: Strong geographic concordance. The postmarks originate from Oostende, the Belgian port of departure of the Oostende–Dover line, precisely matching the navigation context represented both on the stamp and in the postcard. All elements converge geographically on the North Sea coastal environment and the operational setting of the ferry service.
Temporal: Full temporal concordance. The cancellations dated July and August 1946 occur within the year of issue of the stamps and during the operational period of the Prince Baudouin on the route. This ensures strict temporal harmony between stamp, postmark and postcard.
