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The card is the reply half of a 1922 issue message and reply card (Mi. P151) intended for domestic rather than foreign use – 3M having been the rural postcard rate from 1.10.1922 and then the local rate from 15.11. to 14.12.1922. Note the uneven edge at the top where the message card has been detached. What appears to have happened is that the message and reply card was sent to Sweden sometime in March/April 1923. By then its 3M was insufficent and effectively redundant, so the card was franked 180M for the foreign postcard rate from 1.3. to 30.6.1923.This then made the reply card valid for foreign use as permitted by UPU agreement.
The reply from Sweden, addressed to Elbing, Westpreussen was franked 20 öre in Swedish stamps, possibly because the writer was confused about using the card with German stamps so franked it correctly for the Swedish foreign rate. I don't, however, have any Swedish postal rate tables to hand to check the rate. You may wish to research that element.
Giles |
