Maximum Card Azaleas and Gravensteen

 

Yt:BE 962

Stamp: Belgique/België, "Floralies Gantoises / Gentse Floraliën 1955" issue, face value 2,50 F. The stamp depicts azaleas (a symbol of the Ghent Floralies) against a background of gothic architecture, specifically part of a series promoting the international horticultural exhibition in Ghent. Issued in 1955.02.15.

Postmark: Circular date stamp — “GENT / 15-2-55-9 / 1”. The cancellation originates from the city of Ghent (Gent) and is dated February 15, 1955. The cancellation is contemporary with the period of issue and the horticultural event.

Postcard: Monochrome vintage postcard depicting a wide-angle view of the Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts) in Ghent. The photograph captures the medieval fortress's massive stone walls, towers, and the surrounding tracks and vintage vehicles. 

Concordance:

Thematic: Excellent thematic concordance. The stamp promotes an event in Ghent (Floralies Gantoises) and features local architecture, while the postcard illustrates one of the city's most iconic landmarks, the Gravensteen castle. Both elements celebrate the heritage and culture of the city of Ghent.

Geographic: Absolute geographic concordance. The castle depicted is located in Ghent, the postage stamp was issued for use in Belgium specifically for a Ghent-based event, and the postmark originates from the Ghent post office. All elements are tied to the same specific urban location.

Temporal: Perfect temporal concordance. The cancellation is a first-day postmark dated February 15, 1955  which is the exact date of the stamp's release and the timing of the Floralies exhibition. The postcard, showing period-appropriate vehicles and urban infrastructure, reflects the mid-20th-century environment.

Carte postale maximum La Malle "Prince Baudouin"

Yt:BE 725

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.

Carte postale maximum Malle "Diamant" 1846

Yt:BE 727

Stamp: Belgium, Oostende–Dover 1946 commemorative issue, face value 3,15 F (Francos belgas). The stamp depicts a paddle steamer associated with the historic maritime route between Oostende (Belgium) and Dover (United Kingdom). Issue date: 1946.06.14

Postmark: Circular date stamp - “OOSTENDE–DOVER" -10.8.1946.

The cancellation belongs to the post office linked to the maritime mail service of the Oostende–Dover route and is contemporaneous with the issue.

Postcard: Maritime postcard depicting a detailed illustration of a paddle steamer at sea, with two masts, a central funnel, side wheels and passengers visible on deck. The vessel is shown navigating in moderate waves under cloudy skies. Edition unknown.

Concordance:

Thematic: Excellent thematic concordance. The stamp commemorates the maritime route Oostende–Dover and depicts a paddle steamer used on this historic line. The postcard illustrates a vessel of the same technological type—steam-powered and with side paddles—creating a direct thematic alignment in the domain of maritime transport and 19th‑century/early 20th‑century steam navigation.

Geographic: Strong geographic concordance. The cancellation originates from Oostende, one of the terminal ports of the Oostende–Dover maritime line. The stamp explicitly commemorates this same route, and the postcard depicts a vessel consistent with the maritime environment of the region. All three elements converge on the North Sea coastal geography and the Belgian–British connection.

Temporal: Full temporal concordance. The cancellation dated 8 August 1946 falls within the year of issue of the stamp and during the valid postal period. The postcard’s depiction of a paddle steamer is chronologically compatible with the vessels historically used on the Oostende–Dover line, ensuring temporal alignment across the three components.

Vultos da História e da Cultura: Léopold II (1835 - 1909)

Vultos da História e da Cultura: Léopold II (1835 - 1909):   Léopold Louis Philippe Marie Victor nasceu em Bruxelas (Bélgica) a 9 de abril de 1835 e destacou-se como Rei dos Belgas.

Country: Belgium
Issue: Centenary of Belgian Independence – King Leopold II (1 Fr Stamp, 1930 Issue)
Date of Issue: July 1, 1930
Postmark: Circular Date Stamp (CDS) – “A 1 ANTWERPIN 1 S” – Time slug “17–18”, indicating postal handling between 17:00 and 18:00 at the Antwerpen 1 office. (No calendar date visible on the strike.)
Postcard: Monochrome printed portrait of King Leopold II, showing the formal rendering of the royal uniform and decorations. (Edition G. Cailliau)

Justification of Maximum Concordance:
This maximum card shows strong thematic concordance: both the 1930 commemorative stamp and the postcard depict King Leopold II. The Antwerpen postmark ensures geographic appropriateness within Belgium. Although the dateline on the CDS strike displays only the hour range “17–18” and does not show a complete calendar date, the use of a contemporary cancellation from a Belgian postal office remains consistent with geographic and temporal concordance for this issue.

Yvert & Tellier: BE 303

The Belgian Red Cross - Pricess Joséphine-Charlotte de Belgique in Red Cross nurse uniform

 

Issued: Belgium – The Belgian Red Cross – 14.03.1952

Postmark: First day circular datestamp “La Croix-Rouge et la Poste” - Brussels – 14.03.1952

Postcard: Portrait of Joséphine-Charlotte de Belgique in Red Cross nurse uniform, emphasizing humanitarian service – Edited by R. Marchand, Hélio S.A.R.

 ✅ Thematic Concordance:

• Image: Red Cross nurse (symbol of care and humanitarian values).
• Stamp: Same subject – Joséphine-Charlotte in uniform.
• Postmark: Explicit reference to Red Cross and postal collaboration.
  This synergy fulfills FIP requirements for maximum cards: all three elements share the same theme and reinforce each other visually and contextually.

Maximafilia: Série Cruz Vermelha 2003 da Bélgica em Destaque

 

1.º Postal Máximo

• Tema: Cruz Vermelha – Primeiros Socorros
• Imagem do Postal: Ilustração humorística com duas crianças junto a uma caixa de primeiros socorros e um cão com braçadeira da Cruz Vermelha.
• Selo: Bélgica, emissão alusiva à Cruz Vermelha, valor facial €0,41.
• Obliteração: Carimbo de 1.º dia de circulação, datado de 29/03/2003, local Leopoldsburg.
• Concordância Tripla (FIP):
  • Selo: Cruz Vermelha.
  • Postal: Cena de assistência médica.
  • Carimbo: Evento oficial da Cruz Vermelha (1.º dia).
• Referência: Série Cruz Vermelha 2003 – Bélgica.

---

2.º Postal Máximo

• Tema: Cruz Vermelha – Resgate em Catástrofe
• Imagem do Postal: Cena caricatural de resgate após desastre, com helicóptero e voluntários.
• Selo: Bélgica, emissão Cruz Vermelha, valor facial €0,41.
• Obliteração: Carimbo de 1.º dia, datado de 29/03/2003, local Petit-Rechain.
• Concordância Tripla:
  • Selo: Cruz Vermelha.
  • Postal: Resgate humanitário.
  • Carimbo: Evento oficial Cruz Vermelha.
• Referência: Série Cruz Vermelha 2003 – Bélgica.

---

3.º Postal Máximo

• Tema: Cruz Vermelha – Apoio Logístico
• Imagem do Postal: Cena humorística com voluntários da Cruz Vermelha em ambiente urbano.
• Selo: Bélgica, emissão Cruz Vermelha, valor facial €0,41.
• Obliteração: Carimbo comemorativo, datado de 31/03/2003, local Brussels.
• Concordância Tripla:
  • Selo: Cruz Vermelha.
  • Postal: Assistência e logística.
  • Carimbo: Comemorativo Cruz Vermelha.
• Referência: Série Cruz Vermelha 2003 – Bélgica.