Postal identity cards

On January first, 1922 the uniform postal identity card was introduced, as agreed on the Congress in Madrid of the Universal Postal Union in 1920. The cards were uniform for all member countries and were produced in Switzerland. In basic they were the same (a form C 25) but they were personalized per postal administration. The language was the national language and the universal postal language, French. In Dutch ‘Identiteitskaart’ and in French ‘Carte d’identité’.

The first rate for the cards was 40c and needed to be glued on the card and cancelled by the post office of issue. The card (1+2) is franked with a 40c Konijnenburg stamp. This is quit illusive, as this was possible only for 4½ month. The stamp was issued April 1, 1940 and August 12, 1940 the rate changed to 30c. The card is issued in ‘s Gravenhage-West on May 21, 1940.

On this card there is no uniform form number (C25) printed. The name of the (Swiss) printer is printed outside the text frame.

The cards were most of the time heavily (daily) used which easily can been seen on many cards, like this one (3+4) issued in Rotterdam, 1953. The rate was (1.11.1946 – 1.1.1964) 50c. Here a 50c En Face stamp has been used. Now the Dutch text has become ‘Postidentiteitskaart’ and in French ‘Carte d’identité postale’. Wereld-Postvereeniging became Wereldpostvereniging. Also the rest of the Dutch text is in the new spelling.

Now the name of the (Swiss) printer is placed into the text frame. Above that, the French text is three lines instead of two before.

The card issued in Amsterdam Zaalstraat in 1956 (5+6) now has the form name (C25) printed on it as FORMULE C 25. Before the cards were signed in the post office by the director. This card mentions it has to be signed by a civil servant. The (four) sides of the card are now numbered. The name of the (Swiss) printer has been amended and is placed outside the text frame. The third line of the French text above it is much longer now.

Yet an other type, issued in Hilversum in 1966 (7+8). The name of the (Swiss) printer has been amended again and is placed outside the text frame. The international form number (C25) has been printed on the card.

The last card with a stamp glued on it was the one with 100c (1.1.1966 – 1.7.1971). The last rate for the postal identity card was 500c.

Ptt Post ceased issuing the cards per July first, 1993. This was because the Dutch communities started issuing identity cards, but the cards remained valid for the rest of the given period, so till July first, 1996 at the latest. In case the person applied for a communal identity card, the price was reduced with 5 guilders when the postal identity card was delivered back, when the card was issued after January first, 1989.