Romania Red Cross Stamps

Anyone have any ideas on these guys?

They are not listed in Scott. At first I thought maybe postal tax stamps, but they have no denomination on them. Maybe some kind of Cinderella? They look like they are from about the 1940s. (or 1950s?)

Any background info would be appreciated.

Chris,
these are "Free Franks" 1946 November
Red Cross
P 13½ or Imperf.
Exist: White Paper, Grey paper

Further Reading:
https://goscf.com/t/28600#28600 br /

Thanks Rod! So, are they the same as "Franchise stamps" like you see with Portugal, Spain, and a few others countries? The government gives them to the Red Cross, which allows them to mail letters for free?

Chris,
I have become rather rusty with Romania Philately.

As far as I can remember the vignette is of the Queen Mother, Helen,
who was patron of the Red Cross, and had therefore Royal Support.

Free Franking, assisted free communications within the society, on matters of Health and Rehabilitation of the military.

July 2016

"The National Society of the Red Cross in Romania celebrates 140 years. The Royal Family has always supported the Romanian Red Cross ever since its foundation. On July 4, 1876, during the reign of King Carol I, Queen Elisabeta, Queen Mary and Queen-Mother Helen got involved with devotion and abnegation in the humanitarian actions of the Romanian Red Cross without fear of war, misery or sickness," Margareta wrote.

In her message she praises "the Romanian Red Cross volunteers, who along history contributed to supporting and saving their fellows in distress."

Very nice to see the full sheet Rod.

According to SG these were free franks for internees' mail via the Red Cross:

- SG F1829A-F1831A perf

- SG F1829B-F1831B imperf

where A = bronze-green, B = dull purple, C = brown-red (with the same numbers for both types of paper).

Michel goes one step further and gives different numbers for the two papers as well.

Nigel,
Thanks a bunch.

"Light blue touch paper, and stand well back"

You may have ignited my interest back into Romania.

I have a cracking collection, (6 albums) but they are in an absolute mess,
All over the place, I keep putting it off, because sometimes it seems overwhelming.

I probably have a full sheet of the 3, but whom knows?


Imperf, grey and white papers.