stanley64
Member 
Posts: 1,828
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jun 11, 2023 7:39:30 GMT
Does anyone know if this is pre-paid stationery or simply a postcard,
France 2009, Polar Region Protection
Any details or additional information is appreciated...
Have fun and happy collecting!
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,659 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Jun 11, 2023 12:50:43 GMT
Nice item, Vince ( stanley64)! I hadn’t seen it before. Let’s tag Xavier ( hrdoktorx) and Stan ( stainlessb) to see if either one of them can answer your question. |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,644
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Jun 11, 2023 14:18:39 GMT
I don't collect past 1960, but this is a 2009 preprinted postcard offered by La Poste Groupe, ( HERE ) from their magazine Philinfo. As best i can tell it would be valid , otherwise I think it would likely have a disclaimer to that effect Perhaps @hrdoctorx knows more as I belier Xavier does collect current issues. |
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hrdoktorx
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Posts: 6,616
What I collect: France (and French territories), Africa, Canada, USA, Germany, Guatemala, stamps about science, flags, maps, stamps on stamps...
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Post by hrdoktorx on Jun 11, 2023 15:13:52 GMT
I concur with stainlessb, this is a pre-paid postcard, printed by La Poste and distributed as a free gift to subscribers to their Philinfo magazine. I have received (and redistributed as mail stiffeners when sending some of my give-aways) quite a few such things. |
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,828
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jun 11, 2023 18:20:30 GMT
Thanks for the bump Chris ( Beryllium Guy ) and I appreciate the additional insights from both stainlessb and hrdoktorx . I had my doubts, even though the card is missing the text " affranchir ici" text found on other La Poste Philinfo magazine giveaways, the indicium is also absent of any colour like that found on the recent Marianne pre-paid postcard described in the publication, SPÉCIAL MARIANNE 2018. As well, albeit a small bit, this postcard is also missing the La Poste logo. To add mystery and my doubts, there is no mention of the card in the issue of the Philinfo edition which highlighted the Protection des pôles (Polar Region Protection) announcement of the postage stamp's release from the March edition of the same publication located here.
To round things out and for those interested and are curios, here is the other side,
 France 2009, Polar Region Protection
As for the edition size and with absence of any information of printing numbers in the magazine’s colophon, I would suggest the edition numbers in the range of ~5.000 or so. Next up, unless someone already has the printing details at hand, contacting La Poste directly for the missing information and keeping my eyes open for a postally used copy...
Have fun and happy collecting! |
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FDI
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Member of RPSC & BNAPS
Posts: 351
What I collect: Modern Canada (misperf, varieties, tagging errors), Canadian Cinderellas, EXUP & CAPEX & Dead Countries
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Post by FDI on Jun 12, 2023 14:46:51 GMT
This is the one I just received as a letter stiffener!   |
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FDI
Member
Member of RPSC & BNAPS
Posts: 351
What I collect: Modern Canada (misperf, varieties, tagging errors), Canadian Cinderellas, EXUP & CAPEX & Dead Countries
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Post by FDI on Jun 12, 2023 14:50:34 GMT
You can also see the Tag bars on each side of the stamps. Better seen with a shortwave UV lamp.
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,828
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jun 12, 2023 18:41:02 GMT
Thanks for showing FDI ; it is good to see another example of the pre-paid stationery given to the subscribers of the La Poste periodical.
Comparing it to the Marianne example alluded to earlier in the thread, it has much of the same attributes: coloured stamp, LaPoste logo in colour, perhaps even the tagging, but most importantly the text on both, “carte pré-timbrée à validité permanente pour un envoi à l'international”. At this point, I still have my doubts about the Polar Region Protection item as it has none of these and the only thing which might suggest this is also pre-paid stationery and not a postcard, is, as suggested by stainlessb , is that it does not have the text “"affranchir ici" which would require the use of addition of postage as in this example,
Philinfo Postcard, 2007
Given the two examples of pre-paid stationery with their explicit text though, I am inclined, at this point, to think that the Polar Region Protection one is a postcard and not pre-paid stationery.
However, an email was sent to La Poste / PhilInfo for what should be a definitive answer if they respond.
One has to read the fine print...
Have fun and happy collecting! |
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,828
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jun 17, 2023 8:04:55 GMT
Earlier in the week, I received this reply from La Poste, Bonjour,
La carte présentée est valable comme prétimbrée...
Très bonne journée,
Philatéliquement vôtre,
With La Poste's response in-hand, it would appear that the Polar Region Protection post card is, in fact, a bit of postal stationery. However, unlike the example shown by FDI with its denomination missing and hence the "validité permanente" text in the fine print, the Protection des pôles is rated 0,85€ paying the 20g. International rate at the time (2009). Using the card to today, would required additional postage.
Have fun and happy collecting!
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