maximum card: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist)Technical/Formal (Hobbyist/Philatelic)
Quick answer
What does “maximum card” mean?
A postcard where the stamp, postmark, and picture are all thematically matched and aligned, often collected as a philatelic item.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A postcard where the stamp, postmark, and picture are all thematically matched and aligned, often collected as a philatelic item.
In philately, a maximum card (MAXIMUM) is a collectible that optimally combines three elements: a picture postcard, a postage stamp, and a postmark, all related to the same subject and where the stamp is affixed to the picture side and cancelled. It is a distinct collectible category separate from stamps or postcards alone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Identical in technical meaning. The hobby has international terminology. Both variants use the full term 'maximum card'; the abbreviation 'MAXIMUM' or 'maxi card' is also seen internationally.
Connotations
Neutral, technical. No significant cultural difference beyond general philatelic community practices.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Used exclusively within the stamp collecting community in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “maximum card” in a Sentence
[collector/enthusiast] + collects + maximum cards[organization] + issues + a maximum card + on/for [topic]This + is + a perfect example of + a maximum cardVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “maximum card” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He is a maximum card specialist.
- The maximum card exhibit won a gold medal.
American English
- She follows maximum card guidelines closely.
- A maximum card collection can be very valuable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in philatelic literature, catalogues, and exhibition regulations.
Everyday
Extremely rare; unknown to the general public.
Technical
Primary context. Precise definitions are found in philatelic glossaries and federation rules (e.g., FIP rules for maximum cards).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “maximum card”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “maximum card”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “maximum card”
- Using 'maximum card' to refer to any large postcard.
- Thinking it means a postcard with the maximum allowable postage.
- Confusing it with a First Day Cover (FDC), which features an envelope, not a postcard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A maximum card is intentionally created as a collectible where the stamp, postmark, and image all depict the same subject and are optimally placed. A normal stamped postcard lacks this deliberate thematic and placement concordance.
Yes, to be valid, a maximum card must actually be mailed (or cancelled) to receive a genuine postmark. However, collectors often handle them carefully to preserve condition.
Yes, it is a formally recognized term within international philately, with definitions provided by organizations like the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).
It refers to the 'maximum' or greatest possible concordance (similarity) between the subject of the card's illustration, the stamp, and the postmark.
A postcard where the stamp, postmark, and picture are all thematically matched and aligned, often collected as a philatelic item.
Maximum card is usually technical/formal (hobbyist/philatelic) in register.
Maximum card: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæksɪməm kɑːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæksəməm kɑːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think MAXimum concordance: The picture, the stamp, and the postmark all have to MATCH (MAX-Match) the same theme to be a maximum card.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPECIALIZATION IS CONCORDANCE (The ideal, 'maximum' form of a collectible is achieved when all elements are in perfect thematic alignment.)
Practice
Quiz
Which element is NOT a required component of a maximum card?