Postcards

    Hello again,

    This time I would lid like to forward a question from a friend.

    "Divided-back postcards were first introduced in Great Britain in 1902 (for inland use only) and accepted worldwide the 1st October 1907 through a decision by the UPU (Universal Postal Union). In Germany, divided cards were allowed for inland use the 1st February 1905. But what rules applied for divided-back cards sent between Germany and other countries before October 1907?

    1) Were any agreements made with other countries about accepting divided cards (at postcard rate) before October 1907? In that case, what countries and what dates?2) Did Germany take any general decisions to accept (not tax) incoming and/or outgoing divided postcards at postcard rate before October 1907? If so, when? (With regard to incoming mail, the rules may differ depending on whether or not the sending country had struck a T mark.)

    Thanking you in advance and with special greetings from my collecting/researching friend,
    With regards from Sweden
    Pixie

    Hej Pixie,

    I think you will find different dates of introduction in the different countries. At least postcards with divided adress-side will be allowed in 1907 according to the UPU-rules.
    In Denmark f.e. postcards with divided adress-side were introduced with Officiell Meddelelse nr. 15 from may 5th 1905.
    I have shown such a postcard in my "Belege Dänemark" thread on september 16th 2010. It was send from Hellerup on november 20th 1905 to New York. In the USA postcards with divided adress-side were allowed from 1907, so this card was put into postage due (as underpaid letter)


    Kind regards
    DKKW

    Hej DKKW!

    Tusen tack / mille grazie! :)
    Your postcard is a very nice item.
    I know my friend will appreciate your detailed information concerning Denmark.

    Best regards,

    Pixie

    Hi Pixie

    Various dates are known between those you give, and certainly postal organisations were aware of changes being made. Quite when the UPU pontificated on this I have no idea.

    Often it seems as if the left hand didn't know what the right was doing, as incoming mail to a country can demonstrate. Some were permitted at the printed matter rate, correct from the point of origin, and subsequently charged "postage due" on arrival. Another point which caused concern, was the affixing of the adhesive, during this same period, some postal authorities said it was to go on the back, others insisted the stamp be affixed on the front, as a consequence some cards on arrival from abroad were charged postage due.

    A look at picture postcards from the British Caribbean Islands will easily illustrate what I have said above. The islands were often out of step with each other.

    By the way the first recognised picture postcards are deemed to be those from Heligoland. It was acceptance of illustrated postcards that drove the decision to divide the backs, previous to this an area had been left below, or to one side of the illustration for the missive.

    kind regards

    Nigel

    Sammeln wie es einem Spaß macht

    Hello Nigel,

    Many thanks to you as well! :)
    The suggestion of Heligoland as a first in this area is new to me and quite interesting.
    I will forward this too.

    Kindest regards from my friend and me,

    Pixie

    Hello again,

    The answers so far have been very interesting.
    But it would also be useful to know more about developments in Germany.
    Even references to literature or postal documents are much appreciated.
    So:
    what rules applied for divided-back cards sent between Germany and other countries before October 1907?

    1) Were any agreements made with other countries about accepting divided cards (at postcard rate) before October 1907? In that case, what countries and what dates?
    2) Did Germany take any general decisions to accept (not tax) incoming and/or outgoing divided postcards at postcard rate before October 1907? If so, when? (With regard to incoming mail, the rules may differ depending on whether or not the sending country had struck a T mark.)

    Kind regards,
    Pixie

    Hej Pixie,

    according to wikipedia the divided adress-side on postcards was allowed in Germany from 1905. Wikipedia quotes an article by Herbert Leclerc in "Archiv für deutsche Postgeschichte" Heft 2/86.

    Kind regards
    DKKW

    Hej igen! / Hello again DKKW,

    Thank you ever so much for that reference!
    I hope that article will lead my friend in the right direction.

    Warmest greetings from a colder Stockholm

    Pixie