How to Collect Maxicards (Maximum Postcards / Maximaphily)

Thank you stanley64 

When I meant Unused, I meant without being sent through the mail, written and when postage and postmark on the back.

For example:

This is what I would call Unused:

Front:

Back:



And, this is what I would call Used:

Front:


Back:


The used one is lacking the postmark, since I haven't sent it yet. 

The way I see it:

Unused has the appeal of collecting the official item as it was issued. No alterations. It would be the Maxicard equivalent of a Mint Never Hinged stamp.

Used, in this case, has the added appeal of having the same stamp used for postage (in this example, two with selvage), and being postmarked in the issuing country.

So, I'm not sure how to collect them. Unused, or with postage and postmark.

'Used' maxicards, thanks for the clarification ericdrive .

Hmmm, I do not think that used cards are the convention, but given other types of postal stationery, it does make sense; only I never consider the prospect. As mentioned previously, my interest in maxicards is to augment my thematic collection and only have 'mint' copies.

I was going to say that Dorin (dorincard ) is the guy to follow if you want to know anything about maxicard.

During my latest travel through Japan and Taiwan, I often make 'maxicards' for my stamp friends (namely Dorin). I do try to let them pass through the mailing process whenever possible, but each country's regulation is different, and sometimes, this is not possible.

For Japan, there are 2 rules about stamp cancellation in the mailing process:

(1) The stamp(s) affixed must be of the value that is equal or greater to the minimal postage rate currently in use. Today, this value is 63 yens (which allows you to send a postcard within Japan).

(2) For the stamp(s) to be passing through the mailing process, the address and the stamp(s) must be on the same side of the paper. This mean, if you place the stamp(s) on the image side of a postcard, and write the address on the back, this postcard cannot be mailed. You can still collect a cancel on the image side if the value of the stamp(s) add up to at least 63 yen.

That's why I have only successfully produced one 'usded maxicard' in Japan, while all others are 'unused' in your terminology.


[Photo by Dorin. Maxicard created by me]

For Taiwan, there is no similar rules about the minimal value of stamp(s) affixed, nor the address being written on the same side as the stamp(s). So Dorin will receive some 'used' maxicards in the future. I suppose he will be happy to show you some exemples.

P.S. My Taiwanese friend who came with me on this journey was lucky to get a postcard that didn't meet rule #2 (the stamp was on the image side while the address on the back) passing through, but this is actually against the regulation. It's just that some post office staff don't know it and let it pass. The staff at the post office in Hiroshima (that offers a beautiful cancel showing a peace dove and the Atomic Bomb Dome) was very strict and returned my request to create a 'used' maxicards (the stamps and the address are on different sides).