INVALID STAMPS ON POSTAL CARD

Ai Li-Shan

Many of you may be aware that in Taiwan stamps may be declared invalid for postage after a certain period time. The illustrated postal card is an example of invalid stamps trying to be used for postage. The stamp in question was noted with a red marking pen. They were issued on December 25, 1956 and invalidated on December 16, 1961.

The postal card rate was increased from 20c to 40c in September 1960. This card was mailed in Taipei October 23, 1962, the stamps having been invalidated for 10 months. It is seldom that we encounter such usage, in this case there is no indication that a postage due was collected.