There has been some misunderstanding about the use of Picture Postcards in Open Philately, both among judges and often questions for clarification in seminars.
I thought it might be useful to ask Bernard Jimenez, FIP Board member and Chairman of the Working Group who drew up the Open Philately Guidelines. He replied very clearly: “Picture postcards are non-philatelic material and count as such on Open philately.”
He goes on to say that internationally we now have four philatelic categories: Philately, Revenues, Picture Postcards, and Open Philately. In the last category, Open Philately, we can use at least 50% philatelic material, and up to 50% non-philatelic items, including picture postcards and revenues, i.e. any item that is permitted in any other category. That is really what Open Philately is about.
It might be necessary to check the articles in the GREX for consistency, but we will wait to hear about that.
