Yt:FR 770
Stamp: France – Famous People series – Charles VII – 10 francs + 6 francs, red
(Issue date: 28 October 1946)
Postmark: Paris – Comemmorative cancelation “8 MARS 1947 – Journeé du Timbre”
Postcard: Monochrome printed postcard depicting a portrait of Charles VII, based on a work preserved at the Musée de Versailles. The composition presents the monarch in formal attire, framed by a decorative border. Printed caption below the image: “CHARLES VII – Roi de France – 1403–1461”
(Edition not indicated.)
Concordance
Thematic: Full thematic concordance.
The stamp features Charles VII, and the postcard also depicts a portrait of the same historical figure, resulting in a complete alignment of subject matter according to maximaphilic criteria.
Geographic: Strong geographic concordance.
The stamp is a French issue, and the cancellation originates from Paris. The postcard also represents a subject of the French royal historical heritage, ensuring consistent geographic context.
Temporal: Correct temporal concordance.
Although the official withdrawal (“retrait”) date of the issue was 14 March 1947, French postal regulations of the period allowed normal postal use of stamps already in the public’s possession after withdrawal, particularly at philatelic counters.
Therefore, the cancellation of 15 March 1947 remains fully valid for maximaphily, as the stamp was still accepted and processed within its effective postal usability period.
Why do 15‑03‑1947 cancellations exist if the stamp was withdrawn on 14‑03‑1947?
This is a classic situation in French philately and is not an error. It occurs because withdrawal date and last day of postal validity were not the same thing in France at the time.
✔ 1. “Retrait” = withdrawal from post office counters
The date 14 March 1947 refers to the moment when the stamp was removed from sale at postal counters.
After this date, post offices stopped selling the stamp. But a stamp withdrawn from sale can still legally be used as long as it remains valid for postage.
✔ 2. Stamps already owned by the public remained valid the next day
Collectors or correspondents who already had the stamp could still use it on 15 March 1947—and sometimes even later—depending on the internal rules and how post offices applied them.
French postal regulations in the 1930s–1950s commonly allowed: use of previously purchased stamps beyond the withdrawal date cancellation of older issues if still affixed to valid mail.
Thus, a postcard franked on 15‑03‑1947 could still be cancelled normally. This explains the existence of maximum cards with a 15 March postmark.
✔ 3. Special philatelic offices (like Musée Postal) often cancelled one day later
The Musée Postal (Postal Museum) in Paris frequently applied philatelic cancellations on: last day of sale day after withdrawal dates associated with philatelic demonstrations or collector requests
It was not unusual for collectors to bring stamps the day after the official withdrawal, and the philatelic counter would still cancel them.
This is perfectly consistent with French philatelic practice of the period.
✔ 4. In exhibits, both dates are accepted as maximaphilically valid
Because: the stamp was still valid for postal use the theme, geographic link, and period of postal validity remain intact the day‑after cancellation is considered postal use, not “backdating”
Therefore, a 15 March 1947 maximum card is fully admissible in competitive maximaphily—although a 14 March cancel is more desirable because it is the true last day of sale.
Summary
- Yes, the official withdrawal date was 14/03/1947.
- Yes, cancellations on 15/03/1947 are still legitimate because:
- withdrawal ≠ end of postal validity postal counters routinely cancelled stamps after withdrawal
philatelic offices had even more flexibility
There is no contradiction—just normal postal practice of mid‑20th‑century France.
