Belgium 1912 definitive series postage stamp, 10-centime carmine on blue frame, cancelled 'MONS S-GENERAL'
QUICK FACTS
Categories
Era
1910s
Origin
🇧🇪 Belgium
Brand
Belgian Post
Rarity
Average (4/10)
Discovered
Feb 23, 2026
15 days ago
DESCRIPTION
This is a used postage stamp from Belgium, clearly identifiable as part of their definitive series from 1912. The central vignette features a 10-centime denomination in carmine, framed by an intricate design in blue. The cancellation is a rather heavy black rectangular box featuring 'MONS S-GENERAL / 20 JUIN 1912', which marks its usage on June 20, 1912, at the Mons post office S. General branch.
CULTURAL ECHOES
Where This Object Echoes
The allegorical figures and intricate border designs are highly characteristic of design movements prevalent across Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often featuring classical motifs and ornate decorative elements to symbolize national identity or progress.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Use in everyday correspondence, facilitating communication between individuals and businesses across the country and internationally.
- •Inclusion in early philatelic albums as part of the growing hobby of stamp collecting, cataloging the postal history of nations.
Meaning Through Time
These stamps served as functional tokens of postal payment, symbolizing the reach and efficiency of the national postal service.
With the advent of modern printing and communication, these stamps transitioned from daily utility to collectible artifacts, valued for their historical, artistic, and philatelic significance.
HISTORICAL STORY
DID YOU KNOW?
The cancellation 'MONS S-GENERAL' suggests a specific large post office within the city of Mons, rather than a smaller rural postmark.
This particular series often features a variety of intricate allegorical designs characteristic of early 20th-century philatelic art, reflecting national pride and progress.
MATERIAL & CONDITION
Surface
The stamp exhibits a paper surface consistent with early 20th-century European postal issues, with a fine texture visible where the ink is absent. The printing appears sharp under magnification, indicating a well-executed engraving or lithographic process for the dual-color design.
Weight & Feel
Lightweight, typical for a single postage stamp of this period. The paper is likely thin to medium in thickness.
Condition
The stamp is used, as evidenced by the clear cancellation. Centering appears to be good to very good, with the design well within the perforations. However, the cancellation is quite heavy and obscures part of the denomination and design elements, which can affect its aesthetic appeal and value to some collectors. The perforations are mostly intact, though some very minor blunting might be present on the right edge.
RARITY ANALYSIS
Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.
Typical Characteristics
- Standard antique shop items
- Regularly available
- Moderate collector interest
EXPERT ANALYSIS
Philatelist
The stamp's country, denomination, and precise date of use are all clearly visible and identifiable from the images. The design elements are consistent with known Belgian definitive issues from the early 20th century.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Clear 'BELGIQUE' / 'BELGIE' inscription at the bottom identifies the issuing country.
- 2Central denomination '10' clearly indicates the face value in centimes.
- 3Cancellation '20 JUIN 1912' provides precise date of use, confirming a 1912 definitive series issue.
- 4Dual-color printing (carmine and blue) is characteristic of specific Belgian issues of the period.
- 5The 'MONS S-GENERAL' cancellation indicates a specific postal location.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Measure perforations with a perforation gauge to determine the exact gauge, which can aid in precise catalog identification.
- →Examine the reverse for gum type (original gum, regummed, no gum) and any thinning or repairs.
- →Check for watermarks, often crucial for distinguishing among similar early European stamp issues.
- →Consult a specialized Belgian stamp catalog (e.g., Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Michel, Yvert) to confirm the exact catalog number based on color, perforations, and watermark.
ESTIMATED VALUE
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
- Market comparables from auctions & retail
- Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
- Current collector demand & trends
- Low = quick sale, high = patient seller
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
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