Maximum Card Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, 4th birth Cent.

 

Yt:EC 510

Stamp: Ecuador, commemorative issue, face value 0.60 sucres. (Issued 02/05/1949)

The stamp bears the inscription “República del Ecuador – Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra” and features a portrait of the writer accompanied by a scene referring to the Battle of Lepanto, a frequent motif in Cervantine iconography.

Postmark:

Circular date stamp (CDS) from Ecuador - Manta (San Pablo de Manta) – , dated 03/07/1957.

Postcard: Illustrated postcard with a classic portrait of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, shown in 16th‑century attire with a ruffled collar and period clothing.

Concordance

Thematic: Excellent thematic concordance. Both the stamp and the postcard portray Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, using coherent iconography: stylized portrait, historical context, and literary references.

The printed biographical text further reinforces thematic alignment.

Geographic: Acceptable geographic concordance. Although Cervantes is directly associated with Spain, the stamp was issued by Ecuador, and the postcard bears an Ecuadorian cancellation (Guayaquil).

The match between the country of issue and the country of cancellation fully satisfies maximaphilic geographic criteria, even without a direct historical link between Cervantes and Ecuador.

Temporal:

Good temporal concordance. The JUL 1957 cancellation falls within the valid postal period of the Ecuadorian issue from the 1950s, ensuring contemporary usage as required by maximaphilic rules.

Maximum card 375th Anniversary of the Reformation

 

Yt: DE-SL 295

Stamp: Saar (Sarre), commemorative issue, face value 15 + 5 Pf (Issue: 1951).

The stamp bears the inscription “Reformationsjubiläum an der Saar” and portrays two historical figures as part of the Reformation Jubilee theme. The design commemorates the 375th anniversary of the Reformation (1517–1951).

Postmark: First Day of Issue Pictorial Postmark from Saarbrücken, dated 31.10.1951, matching the Reformation anniversary date.

Postcard: Illustrated commemorative card titled “Reformations Jubiläum an der Saar”, with printed portraits labeled “J. Calvin 1509–1564” and “M. Luther 1483–1546”.

The lower part includes the printed inscription “375 Jahre Reformation an der Saar” and the artist’s signature TSCHERSKOVSKY.

The layout is monochrome, engraved-style, and thematically designed to accompany the 1951 Saar stamp.

Concordance:

Thematic: Excellent thematic concordance.

The stamp commemorates the Reformation Jubilee in the Saar region, and the postcard is a specially produced design celebrating the same historical event, including printed portraits and inscriptions directly related to the Reformation.

Geographic: Strong geographic concordance.

The postmark originates from Saarbrücken, the administrative center of Saarland, which matches both the issuing authority of the stamp and the subject matter commemorating the Reformation in the Saar region.

Temporal: Full temporal concordance.

The postmark date 31 October 1951 corresponds precisely to the official anniversary date of the Reformation (traditionally celebrated on 31 October), and falls within the valid postal period of the 1951 Saar commemorative issue.

Maximum Card San Antonio Maria Claret

 

Yt:ES 823

Stamp: Spain – Commemorative issue "Famous People" – 50 Cents, slate blue, featuring the portrait of Saint Anthony Mary Claret (Issued: September 9, 1951).

Postmark: Segovia – Period circular postmark with the inscription "SEGOVIA - 2 NOV 51". The use in Segovia is historically relevant, as Claret carried out intense missionary and pastoral work in several Spanish cities.

Postcard: Sepia-toned illustrated postcard reproducing a photographic portrait (historical cliché) of Saint Anthony Mary Claret. The image shows the cleric in ecclesiastical attire, highlighting his zucchetto and pectoral cross. 

Concordance 

Thematic: Absolute thematic unity is achieved as the stamp, the postcard, and the postmark all specifically honor the figure of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, founder of the Claretians (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary).

Geographic: Geographic concordance is established by the postmark from Segovia, a city linked to Claret's missionary trajectory in Spain.

Temporal: Temporal concordance is verified, as the postmark date (November 2, 1951) falls within the stamp's period of validity, following its original issue in September 1951.

Maximum Card Georges Clemenceau

 

Yt:FR 918

Stamp: France – Famous People series – Georges Clemenceau – 15 francs - (Issue date: 11 November 1951)

Postmark: Paris – First Day of Issue cancellation - Date: 11.11.1951

Postcard: Monochrome printed postcard depicting a sculptural portrait of Georges Clemenceau, based on the work of Auguste Rodin. (Edition unknown)

Concordance

Thematic: Full thematic concordance.

The stamp portrays Georges Clemenceau, and the postcard also depicts a sculpted portrait of the same historical figure, ensuring perfect thematic alignment under maximaphilic rules. All three elements—stamp, postmark, and postcard—directly reference Clemenceau.

Geographic:

Strong geographic concordance.

The stamp is a French issue, the First Day cancellation was applied in Paris, and the postcard reproduces a work by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, representing Georges Clemenceau. This creates complete geographic coherence.

Temporal: Excellent temporal concordance.

The cancellation date—11 November 1951—is the official First Day of Issue of the Georges Clemenceau stamp. This results in a perfect temporal match and makes the card a true First Day Maximum Card, the highest standard in maximaphily.

 

Carte Postal Maximum territoire militaire du Fezzan-Ghadamès - Well, at Gorda

 

Yt:FR-FZ 47

Stamp: Fezzan–Ghadames (France – former colonies & protectorates) – Commemorative stamp depicting “Well, at Gorda” – brown‑olive design featuring a stylized representation of the historic well at Gorda, rendered in the characteristic graphic style of the early French‑administered Fezzan issues. Produced under French postal administration during the post‑war territorial mandate, the stamp emphasizes regional historical and archaeological heritage. (Issue: 01/07/1949)

Postmark: Sebha – Fezzan – circular cancellation dated 24/06/1951, consistent with the postal markings used during the French administration of Fezzan.

Postcard: Sepia‑toned postcard showing the Well at Gorda, presenting the stone structure of the well within its arid regional landscape. The composition highlights the historic and geographical significance of the site, with sparse vegetation and the desert environment typical of the Fezzan area.

Concordance

– Thematic:The commemorative stamp explicitly depicts the Well at Gorda, emphasizing its archaeological and historical relevance. The postcard likewise presents a photographic view of the same well, focusing on its stone structure and surrounding desert scenery.

This creates perfect thematic alignment, as both stamp and postcard refer directly to the same site and historical environment.

– Geographic: The Sebha (Fezzan) cancellation corresponds precisely to the region administered by France during this period and aligns with the subject matter of both the stamp and the postcard.

All elements—stamp, postmark and postcard—belong to the same geographical framework, ensuring complete spatial coherence.

– Temporal: The cancellation dated 24 June 1951 is fully compatible with the official issue date of the stamp (1 July 1949). The period corresponds to the valid postal use of this Fezzan–Ghadames issue under French administration, creating a fully coherent temporal relationship between stamp, postcard and postmark.

Maxicard Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

Yt:IN 3

Stamp: India – Mahatma Gandhi – 1½ A - Indian anna, monochrome (black‑brown), depicting a bust portrait of Mahatma Gandhi with simple tonal shading and clear serif typography (Issue: 15/08/1948).

Postmark: PONDICHERRY BAZAAR – 2 OCT 51, circular datestamp, featuring a clear impression directly related to the subject of the commemorative issue.

Postcard: Monochrome sepia‑toned postcard depicts Mahatma Gandhi wearing simple draped clothing in a studio‑style composition. Edition unknown.

Concordance:

– Thematic: The stamp shows a formal bust portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, and the postcard also represents Mahatma Gandhi in attire and pose consistent with his widely recognized iconography. This direct correspondence between stamp, thematic postmark, and postcard ensures full thematic concordance according to maximaphilic standards.

– Geographic: The Pondicherry Bazaar cancellation is located in India, matching the issuing country of the stamp and the cultural context associated with the figure represented on the postcard. This provides excellent geographic coherence, fully aligned with maximaphily guidelines.

– Temporal: The cancellation dated 2 October 1951 — Gandhi’s birth anniversary — falls within the normal postal validity period of the 15/08/1948 issue. This proximity ensures high‑level temporal concordance.

Henry Carton de Wiart Maxicard

 

Stamp: Turkey, Commemorative – Portrait of Henry Carton de Wiart – 30 kuruş, brown‑red and white (Issue: 02.09.1951).

Postmark: Ankara, Circular Date Stamp – 30.11.1951

Postcard: Monochrome photographic portrait of a seated figure in profile, dressed in formal attire; printed caption at the bottom reads “Comte HENRY CARTON de WIART (1869–1951)” (Publisher not identified).

Concordance:

– Thematic: The stamp depicts Henry Carton de Wiart, the same personality identified in the printed caption on the postcard, achieving full thematic alignment between stamp and card.

– Geographic: The postmark from Ankara corresponds to the country of issue of the stamp (Turkey), ensuring a correct geographic relationship within the maximaphilic criteria.

– Temporal: The cancellation date 30.11.1951 falls within the valid postal use period of the 1951 Turkish commemorative issue, providing satisfactory temporal coherence for maximaphily.

Maximum Postcard Supreme Court Building - Washington (1951)

Country: USA

Issue: Washington, D.C. Sesquicentennial

Date of Issue: Aug 2, 1950

Postmark: Circular cancel – Washington, D.C. – Feb 10, 1951

Postcard: Illustration of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington (Edition B. S. Reynolds)

Justification of Maximum Concordance:

The stamp commemorates the sesquicentennial of Washington, D.C. and features the U.S. Supreme Court Building. The postcard illustrates the same landmark reinforcing the subject visually. The cancellation from Washington, D.C. provides strong geographic concordance. Although the temporal alignment is not perfect since the postmark date is months after the stamp’s issue, the thematic and geographic match makes this a valid maximum card.

 Yvert et Tellier: US 543

Colorado State Capitol – 75th Anniversary of Statehood (1951)

 

Country: USA

Issue: Colorado Statehood – 75th Anniversary

Date of Issue: August 1, 1951

Postmark: Minturn, Colorado – AUG 1 1951 – 9 AM – First Day of Issue

Postcard: View of the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver, prominently featuring the “Broncho Buster” and “Indian Warrior” monuments in the foreground. The image is a color illustration with warm tones in the sky and lush green vegetation, typical of mid-20th-century postcards.

Justification of Maximum Concordance:
This maximum card demonstrates excellent thematic, geographic, and temporal concordance. The stamp commemorates the 75th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood and depicts the State Capitol in Denver, which is also the main subject of the postcard. The cancellation is from Minturn, a town within Colorado, ensuring geographic relevance to the theme, even though it is not Denver itself. The postmark clearly indicates First Day of Issue and matches the official date of issue, providing perfect temporal concordance. Overall, this is a very strong example of a maximum card, with only a minor limitation in geographic precision.

Yvert et Tellier: US 552