(3) The Postmark

A "First Day of Issue" postmark is only desired if it has full concord with the card in place, time, or subject. It is particularly desirable and has maximum concord if it is also a pictorial postmark relating to the stamp.

But a circular date stamp (CDS) is better than a "First Day of Issue" pictorial postmark, that is related but not depicted on card and/or stamp.

Only valid postal, postmarks are acceptable. Private cachets are only suitable when approved by a postal administration.

Figure 2 - I created with card and cancel from the town of DINGO , Qld.

Figure 3 - This First Day of issue postmark is a PARROT and there is NO parrot on either the stamp or the postcard

The possible range of variations of concord between subject, time and place will result in:

• "Excellent" - The maximum concordance of the three elements.
• "Acceptable" - Fairly good
• "Mediocre" - at the low end of concordance.
  

(a) Concordance of Subject

This should be apparent between Stamp and Card and be completed by the cancellation with pictorial or textual content. This could be a place name or pictorial illustration relating to the subject.

The cancellation should refer to the theme or title of the exhibit.

(b) Concordance of Place

The place name of the cancellation must also directly relate to the subject portrayed on the stamp and the card.

Flora and Fauna should be fairly fixed to usual habitat in country of origin. Monuments and localities are obvious, but historical personages can be birth or death sites or famous related events in their lives, or even a similar place name. Sports or other human activities to localities where they are practised.

Art, eg. paintings, sculpture, tapestries should be postmarked where they are to be found or on tour. And if a country issues stamps relating to monuments or art only found in another country, it is impossible to find an acceptable concord of place. e.g. The USA Statue of Liberty or the London Tower Bridge.

Figure 4 - Here a 1967 stamp is cancelled with a special pictorial cancel in 1981.
Some European stamps are only valid for 6 months but the introduction of the special cancel (Retardaire) raises this card to “good”

(c) Concordance of Time

A Maximum Card can only be posted during the validity of the postage stamp.

If cancelled between time of issue and time of withdrawal from sale and if the date of cancellation is the anniversary or the event or subject of the stamp it is excellent concord.

After the stamp has been withdrawn, but still valid it is "Mediocre" (Fr. retardaire"). Unless a related pictorial cancellation is later introduced and used. Then it would become an "Acceptable" cancellation.

If the date of withdrawal is not known it is considered the cancellation is mediocre after five years.

Desirability of Maximum Cards

So the Maximum concord of a Maximum Card depends on the quality and condition of the three elements. The card, - the stamp and - the postmark. The type and date of cancellations used and the legibility and concord.

Rarity and value, depends on the age of the postcards, date of postmarks, and the condition of all three, stamp, postmark and postcard.