Training | Maximaphilia - elements, rules and history
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Maximaphilia is a special field of philately that deals with the study and creation of maxicards. It is recognized by the International Philatelic Federation (FIP) and, as one of the directions in philately, is monitored by a specialized FIP commission.A maxicard consists of three elements: a postcard , a postage stamp , and a postmark (first-day postmark or date stamp). The goal of maximaphilia is to produce a postcard whose image is closely related to the theme of the postage stamp and, ideally, to the corresponding postage stamp. If all three elements coincide with each other or have synchronicity, then such a maxicard is truly a card of maximum correspondence (hence the name "maximaphilia").
In accordance with the 2019 FIP regulations on Maximaphilia, the illustration of a postcard and the design of a postage stamp must have common themes or the same elements. A complete (identical) coincidence of the design of the card and the stamp is possible in the event that they are created from the same source material (from the same reproduction, photograph, etc.). The use of only stamps issued by the official postal operator of the given country is allowed. Surcharge, fiscal, private and service stamps are not used. The philatelic value of a maxicard can only be spoken of when the postage stamp on it is canceled with a special stamp (or a date stamp with a date as close as possible to the validation date) that has a direct connection with the drawing. On the special, first day or date stamp, the name of the post office and the date must be legible.
The dimensions of the postcard must be no more than 105 × 148 mm and no less than 90 × 140 mm ± 2 mm. At least 75% of the area and must be occupied by an image corresponding to the plot of the design of the stamp (or one of the plots, if there are several of them). It is prohibited to use postcards if their image completely copies the stamp (for example, photos of stamps, i.e. with perforation, face value, country name).
The following items may NOT be used for maximum cards: collages, cut-outs, personal photographs on photo paper, color or black and white photocopies, photomontages, drawings, documents specially designed for the issuance of specific stamps. Postcards with multiple photographs or holograms are not permitted. The postcard must be on sale, as far as possible, before the issuance of the postage stamp.
Maximaphilia emerged in the early 20th century, but became widespread and organized only after World War II. Before that, maxi cards were created as souvenirs, often by tourists. Maximaphilia is closely related to thematic stamp collecting. Many thematic collections benefit greatly from the availability of corresponding maxi cards.There are specialized catalogs in which the maximum cards are systematized and described in chronological order. In Bulgaria, the most famous and used is the catalog of Mr. Sergey Magdichev - chairman of the "Maximaphilia" club at the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists (UBP).
Maximaphilia is a fascinating process of searching for original design solutions and philatelic transformations. By selecting harmonious combinations, the collector himself enriches himself with knowledge and broadens his horizons. And most importantly, maximaphilia develops aesthetic and artistic tastes. This is the path to the artistic world of small forms, the world of beauty.
Mihail Petrov, Varna