Monaco (1924) Postcard / to Le Gall (Switzerland)

Description

Monaco – 1924 – Taxed Illustrated Postcard – Monte-Carlo to Switzerland

Illustrated postcard mailed from Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on 22 November 1924, insufficiently prepaid and taxed on arrival in Switzerland with a 25 Centimes Swiss postage due stamp cancelled at St. Gallen on 24 November 1924.

Overview

Illustrated postcard depicting Le Boulingrin et les Jardins du Casino, mailed from Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on 22 November 1924. The postcard bears a 15 Centimes Monaco definitive but was considered insufficiently prepaid for the international postal service. Upon arrival in Switzerland, a 25 Centimes Swiss postage due stamp was applied and cancelled at St. Gallen on 24 November 1924, documenting the collection of postage due under the postal regulations then in force.

Technical Details

• Country of Origin: Monaco
• Date of Dispatch: 22 November 1924
• Origin: Monte-Carlo
• Destination: Switzerland
• Document Type: Illustrated Postcard
• Original Franking: 15 Centimes Monaco definitive
• Postage Due: 25 Centimes Swiss postage due stamp
• Swiss Tax Datestamp: St. Gallen, 24 November 1924
• Publisher: Heliatre & Cie., Nice

Philatelic Description

The postcard is franked with a single 15 Centimes Monaco definitive cancelled at Monte-Carlo on 22 November 1924. As the postage was deemed insufficient for the international service, a 25 Centimes Swiss postage due stamp was affixed and cancelled at St. Gallen on 24 November 1924. The combination of the Monaco dispatch cancellation and the Swiss postage due treatment documents the application of international postage due procedures under Universal Postal Union regulations.

Postal History

This postcard provides a documented example of cross-border postal taxation between Monaco and Switzerland during the interwar period. The preserved Monaco dispatch cancellation together with the Swiss postage due adhesive and St. Gallen cancellation illustrate the practical application of international postage due regulations on insufficiently prepaid mail.

Historical Background

During the early twentieth century, mail exchanged between member countries of the Universal Postal Union that was insufficiently prepaid could be taxed upon arrival. Switzerland regularly applied postage due adhesives to recover the deficiency, making correctly documented examples such as this of interest to collectors of international postal history.

Condition

• Well preserved illustrated postcard.
• Clear Monte-Carlo dispatch datestamp.
• Original 15 Centimes Monaco adhesive present.
• 25 Centimes Swiss postage due stamp retained.
• Clear St. Gallen tax cancellation dated 24 November 1924.
• Minor handling wear consistent with postal use and age.

Collecting Areas

• Monaco
• Switzerland
• Postage Due Mail
• Universal Postal Union
• Illustrated Postcards
• Monte-Carlo
• St. Gallen
• International Postal History
• Interwar Postal History

Philatelic Significance

This postcard is an attractive example of international postage due mail between Monaco and Switzerland. Its philatelic significance lies in the combination of the Monaco dispatch cancellation, the Swiss 25 Centimes postage due stamp and the clearly dated St. Gallen tax cancellation, documenting the treatment of insufficiently prepaid international mail under Universal Postal Union regulations. The illustrated view of Monte-Carlo further enhances its appeal for collectors of Monaco postal history and classic illustrated postcards.