Maximaphily (Maximum Cards)

Never even knew what the above word meant until I recently came across this newsletter. I thought I'd post a link to it for anyone interested:

http://www.maximaphiles-francais.or...rnal%203.pdf

Frankly, I've never thought much about "Maximum Cards" since their heydey in the 1960's and 1970's, but apparently the collecting discipline is alive and well.

Thanks wt1

Also, here's the parent website (in English) for those who want to see it:
http://translate.google.com/transla...mpg&hl=en&u=http://www.maximaphiles-francais.org/&langpair=fr|en

KS

OK, wt1:

I'll confess my ignorance. I assumed MAXIMUM had something to do with the SIZE of the card. Of course that is wrong.

If you're like me and don't know the answer, I won't spoil it for you here but I will point you to the answer.

[PDF Overview of Maximaphily] http://www.maximaphily.info/Article...LY%20_1_.pdf

The PDF is four pages, but contains lots of images, so it only takes a minute or two to read. The author probably didn't speak as his first language, and has an obvious bias that Maximaphily is the most important sector of philately, but it sort of makes the article more fun to read.

Page 2 has a nice simple answer to "What is Maximaphily?

You can a couple more articles on the parent website www.maximaphily.info

KirkS

Here on SCF
http://goscf.com/t/8421

Having read Page two of Kirk's link, 'What is Maximaphily', there is obviously some confusion, somewhere and with someone.

If Maximum Cards from countries such as Great Britain,Israel and others are not allowed, then how come I have seen them at International Shows on display ? It is most confusing.

Formerly PHQ cards in the UK [Now Stamp cards] are often seen on display in show arenas, some earlier ones being extremely scarce and valuable.
Israel Souvenir Leafs are also allowed for display and some are very valuable and in limited quantities.

I will have to check [if I can] that the above mentioned were displayed in the Maximaphily section, but in the case of the former, I am certain that they were.

I know at least two Maximaphily collectors that have both in their collections.

I would be interested to know if Cards from other countries do not conform, and I will be checking my albums for other examples.
If anyone has any, or knows of any, please let us know.

Londonbus1

Interesting thread! Sorry I missed it.

Nice to know other countries names for maxicards and the what and how of them.
No wonder when I searched for maxicards I found nothing.

Even SCF spell check highlights maxicards as a wrong spelling.

I'm glad I checked this thread out! I had no idea any of this existed!

Thanks to all those who contributed!

Hello, everybody!

:)



If it's too large for SCF, then I could leave just the link:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/...s/USA277.jpg

I knew this thread title would get Dorin over here!

Good to see you posting here, Dorin! I've always enjoyed your Maximaphily pics!

k

Does this meet the definition of a Maximum Card?

It is one of 24 issued by the USPS in the run-up to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The image on each card is that used on the stamp and the postmarks reflect the place and date of stamp issuance.

I think it fails the test Steve.

The card image isn't supposed to be the SAME image as the stamp.

Someone else correct me if I'm wrong.

KirkS

Oh well, I thought it might qualify because it didn't have perf's, value, etc., but the sum of my knowledge about maximum cards came from this post.

Even if this gymnastics MC has a postcard that is NOT 100% identical with the stamp (which has writing), it shouldn't walk away on this technicality.
The postcard has BASICALLY the same design - it's pretty much an enlargement of the stamp design, writing aside.
So FIP CfM might say NO, it's not "compliant".
My personal question, for me, is always: "do I like it, or not?"
Yes, I mildly like it, but I would strongly prefer a postcard here that shows a different image, concordant with the image of the stamp. :)

So how many countries issue 'Maximum cards' that fit the FIP bill ?
I have obviously seen the GB and Israel versions in non-FIP shows.

So how many are out there?
And how many don't fit the bill ?

Londonbus1

Hi, Londonbus1! :)

Good to reconnect with you!

I'd say at least a few tens of countries have issued official MCs (made by the postal administration) that could qualify as FIP-compliant, unless FIP purists argue that those postcards for MCs were NOT previously available as simple postcards.
See the rules at maximaphily dot info.

At least a handful of countries have issued "MCs" in "gross violation" of the basic rules of traditional maximaphily.
See the World Reports at the same site.

Not an area that I am knowledgeable in but I found a site that basically answers the concordance requirements of this subject.
There needs to be a definite correlation in subject, time & place to increase the value & worthiness.

http://fepanews.com/sites/fepanews....ises%20_.pdf