Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Uses of the 1-franc Caritas: 1930 - 1939

 

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Each of the ten Caritas semi-postal sets issued between 1930 and 1939 contained a one-franc denomination.  What common rates did this denomination serve?  From December 1, 1929 to October 1, 1940, only two: 

    • (i)  the 1-franc UPU post and postal card rate; and
  • (ii) the 1-franc second step postage rate  for UPU surface
    letters weighing from 20 to 40 grams. 

Although philatelic uses of these Caritas semi-postal issues abound, finding a cover or card with any of the 1-franc denominations  used to pay either of these two postal rates is very challenging.  Here is the only example in my extensive Luxembourg semi-postal collection!

 

20-40 g UPU registered letter
Luxembourg-Ville, January 9, 1931, to Lucerne, Switzerland

1.75 F postage + 1.75 F registry fee + 1 F second step postage

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