Description
The first postal correspondence card in the world was put into circulation in Austria-Hungary on October 1, 1869, and for that time it represented an innovation in postal traffic. Recognizing the importance and need of correspondence cards, the Principality of Serbia decided to take this step less than four years later – in 1873. Previously, Prince Milan, by decree of October 23, 1871, authorized the Minister of the Interior to put into circulation traffic cards, i.e. correspondence cards, for domestic and international traffic, when he deems it necessary. The Ministry of the Interior was the first to put correspondence cards for domestic traffic into circulation, on July 13, 1873 (July 1 according to the old calendar.)
The first Serbian correspondence cards were printed in purple, on thin paper the size of 133x86 mm. The printed value mark is rectangular in shape and is the size of 18x22 mm, with a simple frame. In the centre is the head of Prince Milan in left profile on a coloured background in an oval frame, surrounded by laurel and oak branch. To the left and to the right of the oval frame are the marks of the value ”10”, and below it in the bow is the white inscription ”SRBIJA”. By the minister’s decision, two types of traffic cards were issued at the same time: simple cards and cards with a paid reply. The first correspondence cards of Serbia were printed at the State Printing Office in Belgrade.
Expert collaboration: Union of Philatelists of Serbia
Graphic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist
