Baarle-Hertog local in 1918

This self-addressed philatelic card was sent locally in Baarle-Hertog (Baarle-Duc in French) on 16 January 1918, the 2nd day that these stamps were put in circulation. The text on the stamp side is advertisement for the philatelic covers sold by Jacques Gevers & Co. The map and text on the reverse side nicely describe how Baarle Hertog is a Belgian enclave in Holland and how this came about historically.
For other covers with Red Cross stamps to or from Baarle-Hertog, see

• one sent in July 1918 by a soldier to the Belgian Union in Baarle-Hertog with two 1c+1c stamps,
• a very similar cover, sent on the same day and with stamps up to 15c+15c,
• one sent in February 1918 from Baarle Hertog to Amersfoort with stamps up to 50c + 50c.

Characteristics: The 5 first stamps, to 15c+15c Total franking = 33c (excess postage) Message on reverse ("Dank voor het roode +" = "Thanks for the red cross") dated in 1915 probably related to the original address written on the front and later covered to substitute a new address in 1918. Vertical crease Nice appearance and informative contents
Estimated value: $26.50 [Purchase price in March 2004]