Yt:FR 1134
Stamp: France, commemorative issue, face value 12 F (Issue: 1957).
The stamp bears the inscription “Cervantès 1547–1616” and was issued by the République Française to honor the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. The design is rendered in a dark monochrome tone typical of mid‑20th‑century French portrait commemoratives.
Postmark: First Day of Issue Pictorial Postmark - Paris – Salon de LÉnfance, dated 09/11/1957.
The postmark includes a stylized seated figure motif typical of the philatelic salon cancellations used in Paris exhibitions.
Postcard: Illustrated monochrome postcard featuring a large engraved-style portrait labeled “Cervantès 1547–1616”.
The layout emphasizes period clothing, rendered with detailed line shading consistent with classical book-illustration style.
The stamp is affixed in the lower right corner of the card, creating a matched portrayal of the same historical figure.
Concordance:
Thematic: Excellent
There is total concordance between the subject of the illustration (Miguel de Cervantes), the stamp, and the postmark. The stamp reproduces the author's portrait, the postcard features a classic engraving based on the work of Gregorio Ferro, and the postmark illustrates his most famous creation, Don Quixote. This thematic "trinity" strictly complies with the FIP (International Federation of Philately) regulations.
Geographic: Adequate (Issue Context)
Although Cervantes is Spanish, geographic concordance is validated by the stamp's place of issue. The postmark is from Paris, the official location for the 1957 French issue. In Maximaphily, when the theme involves a foreign figure, concordance is established between the stamp's issuing country and the location of that country’s official First Day postmark.
Temporal: Perfect (First Day of Issue)
The postmark is dated November 9, 1957 (9-11), which is the official First Day of Issue for this stamp in France. This concordance is absolute and "maximum," as the stamp was cancelled on the exact day of its postal birth, within its validity period, using a commemorative postmark specific to the event (Salon de l'Enfance).
