Socio-postal Stamp

The socio-postal stamp is a figurine being used to note the payment of a social contribution by the employees and employers. This contribution guarantees to paid retirement or sickness benefit. But, as for the employer, it does not imply any counterpart, it revêt in its connection a special taxation character . So that the stamps noting such payments in a collection tax to see articles tax Philatélie and Revenue stamp can appear. However, as these stamps were printed and sold by the post office, they have as much their place in a collection of postage stamps. There exists acuellement in France, only one association specialized in the collection and the study of the socio-postal stamps, it is the French company of Tax Philately. See on Internet, the site of this association (http://sfpf.free.fr).

The first socio-postal stamps were emitted by the German Empire, in 1891, pursuant to a new mode of social protection of the employees wanted by the Bismarck Chancellor. From this fact Alsace-Lorraine profited from it as of this date. The French Republic, as for it, waited until 1911 still introducing at it a comparable mode, until less favorable to the employees. So that after the recovery of Alsace-Lorraine, in 1918, the German social mode, more advantageous, was preserved there at the request of its inhabitants, within the framework of the local right. It follows that, since then, 2 social modes of protection of the employees coexisted in France, that of Alsace-Lorraine and that of the “Interior” remainder of France called by the Alsatian ones. From where two categories of socio-postal stamps which corresponded to these two modes:

- The French socio-postal stamp of the Interior
- Stamps socio-postal of Alsace-Lorraine

French socio-postal stamps of the Interior

Two modes are succédé, that of the “working and country Retirements” and that of the “Social Security”:

Stamps of the “working Retirements and country-women”

An obligatory retirement scheme old age was instituted by the law of April 5th, 1910, with the profit of the slightly remunerated workers of the private sector, under the name of “Working and Country Retirements”. Its financing was jointly assured by the employees, the employers and the State. This one added an allowance to the product of the equal payments of paid and “employers. Pursuant to a decree of April 13rd, 1911, their contributions were represented by different mobile stamps for the “policy-holders” and “owners”, who were to be affixed on personal charts. There existed also “mixed” stamps adding up the two contributions. The employers retained on each pay the amount of the wage contributions and affixed themselves their stamp and that of the employee. It was added to it a special stamp for the sharecroppers wishing to be to be associated with this mode. All these stamps were on sale in the post offices and the tobacco shops. Also they were the subject of course of instruction of the post-office employees who had to enter them. They all thus exist, with the same overloads “Cancelled” as the postage stamps. As they were printed by the Workshop of the postage stamps of Paris, thepostal ones have certain characteristics of the postage stamps of the time, like the years for the small values and pullings on paper G.C of 1914-1918.

The use of these three categories of stamps appeared finally too complicated, as one could have realized it from the beginning. Also a unified series of small size, including/understanding 8 values instead of 12, was born it under the terms of a ministerial decision of 1916. Of all these values, energy of the 1c to the 20F, the 5F is rarest. The sheets of these stamps, like the preceding ones, were equipped with years. In addition, all these stamps received the overload “Specimen” for the Courses of instruction of the post-office employees.

Stamps of the “Social Security”

A law of April 5th, 1928 instituted a new system of compulsory insurances wider. It covered this time, in addition to the risks old age, those of disease, disability and death. It was added participations in the maternity and dependants to it. This mode applied to all the employees of the two sexes with modest incomes of the private sector, like, by assimilation, with the sharecroppers. The financing was to be about it assured by equal payments the employers and employees, supplemented by contributions of the State. The payments of the cotisants were to be from now on carried out by only one series of stamps generally affixed on an annual chart (old age risk) and on quarterly layers (disease risk).

The emission of May 31st, 1930.

The first emission of stamps of the new mode took place under the terms of a decree of May 31st, 1930. The type of these stamps remained in conformity with the former model, but with the additional mention “Social Security” in the former lower cartouche. This series comprised 21 values going of 5c with 40F, which all were emitted in sheets. One also tried to also put to emit notebooks of 20 specimens of some values. They did not have any success and were withdrawn then destroyed. Some stamps however remained about it, recognizable at their bottom of safety of color comprising the repetition in white of the mention “Social Security” uninterrupted.

Change of the types of 1931

Stamps with the preceding type improved

In 1931 a new type was obtained by final improvement of the precedent: The old inscription “Retirements working and country-women” was replaced by the mention “Social Security” in the streamer top. Thus the cartouche of bottom became again it white, which was quite convenient for the dating of the stamps affixed by the users. Only 3 values were then emitted with this type. To note that the green 0F50, which was recently discovered, existed only in notebook.

Thepostal ones with the type “Merson”

In addition 7 values of 5F with 40F were emitted with improved the Merson type of the postage stamps. The word “Stations” was replaced there in the higher streamer by the mention “Social Security” and the words “French Republic” disappeared in the cartouche from bottom, to leave there a framework white (usable to register the dates of affixing), surrounded of the letters “R” and “F”. Furthermore, all these stamps, instead of the basic color of the normal postage stamps, were struck same bottom of safety as the stamps of notebooks, letting appear in white the words “Social Security uninterrupted”. This bottom of safety, applied to each folio of 25, was continuous and recovered the entirety of the stamps normally.

Overloaded stamps “M” or “V”

January 1st, 1932, a new series of stamps to the preceding type was emitted, but this time with in black overload, by vertical pairs, the superimposed letters “M” and “V” surrounded by a thick framework. These overloads were affixed pursuant to a law of July 28th, 1931 aiming at simplifying (sic) the perception of the contributions. This new series included/understood 13 stamps of going small size of 0F05 with 4F50 and 7 stamps of going large size of 5F with 40F. Certain values of small size were emitted in notebooks of 10 vertical pairs, with the same bottom of safety. These notebooks did not have more success than their predecessors and the figurines which remained about it after destruction are extremely rare.

The stamps “Merson” at discontinuous bottom of safety

In 1935, new stamps with the Merson type were re-emitted, including 3 without overloads, of 5 to 12F, and 7 with overload of 5F with 40F. These stamps had the common characteristic to have a discontinuous bottom of safety, brought back to the dimension of each stamp. So that around this bottom, of light white bands should appear on the 4 with dimensions ones. In practice it was different, because the individual funds of safeties being often slightly moved, of the white bands on 3 with dimensions are sufficient to differentiate these stamps from the precedents. White bands on 2 with dimensions can even be enough, if the stamps concerned are gone back to October, November or December 1935, because it is the normal period of use of the stamps at discontinuous bottom, which had only one short use.

Removal of the socio-postal stamps of the Interior

The payment in cash of the contributions

By a decree of October 1935, the socio-postal stamps of France ceased being usable, starting from January 1st, 1936 (except during one year to regulate late contributions). From now on, indeed, the contributions were normally regulated in cash, or by postal transfer. Because of this reform, a last type of socio-postal stamp for the agricultural professions was not born and only remained about it of the models to the Museum of the Post office, as well as a test in a private collection

The payment by postage stamps of certain contributions

By exception, certain categories of workers made-to-order or intermittent, in particular in agriculture, remained fixed with the payment by stamps, pursuant to a circular of December 1935. But the payment of their contributions was done consequently with normal postage stamps which last being affixed on “insets” inserted in the quarterly layers. This is why large postal values, including airmail, can meet thus used.

This mode of exception remained theoretically into force until June 30th, 1950. But the recourse to this mode of payment had systematically been discouraged, since 1945, by the administration. This one saw in this derogatory method of payment, an useless source of complications. The guides stamped of post-war period are thus not deprived of interest.

Socio-postal stamps of annexed Alsace-Lorraine

The installation of the socio-postal system in German Alsace-Lorraine

German origins of the socio-postal system of Alsace-Lorraine

It is on January 1st, 1891 that came all the German Empire into effect, and thus in Alsace-Lorraine, a system of Social Security original, which was used thereafter as model with the other modes of Western Europe. This mode had been founded, pursuant to the law of Empire of July 19th, 1889, on the initiative of the Bismarck Chancellor, for once of agreement with new Kaiser, Guillaume II: Bismarck had realized that the German working class was also devoted to the fatherland and partisane of the German unit, which privileged classes, in particular since the Socialist Jewish reformist Lassalle, exemplary German patriot, had mobilized the German workers with dimensions of Prussia, in the business of the Schleswig-Holstein. However Lasalle had put forward with the Chancellor that, if one granted the equality to the workers paid in their bringing a minimum of safety, they would be devoted to Germany and would reject revolutionary temptations. Bismarck, which considered Ferdinand Lasalle, founder in 1863 of the first union of German trade unions, like one of the most intelligent men of Europe, did not forget this opinion. The more so as it had been confirmed, during the war of 1870, during which the workmen and country German under the weapons had fought in an exemplary way. This is why Bismarck had initially made adopt the vote for all, and thus wide the right to vote for the Reichstag with the underprivileged ones. This is why, then, it had made to adopt this law social of 1889, which obliged the German owners, whose companies were then in full expansion, to devote part of their profits to the new system of insurances.

Bases of the German socio-postal system

This system rested indeed on the weekly payment of a contribution, not only by the employees concerned, but also by their employers, with the new system of compulsory insurances. Thus these employees would be put at the shelter in the event of accident or of disease, and would obtain a decent retirement when they would have passed the old one to work. For that, the policy-holders and owners were going to receive each year of the charts of 52 boxes, in each one of which should be stuck, at the end of each working week, a stamp representative of the which had contributions. These charts were distributed in the town halls or the police stations of the big cities. As for the stamps they were sold in the post offices of all the German States. D `where their designation of “socio-postal” stamps.

Startup of the system of Social Security, in 1891

The distribution of the charts of contribution began in November 1890. As for the stamps, they were affixed on the charts, as of the 1st week of January 1891.

Implementation by areas of the socio-postal mode

To implement this mode, the Empire had been divided into 31 areas, of which all used stamps with the same types and of the same color, differing only by the name from area. One of these areas was Alsace-Lorraine (“Elsass-Lothringen”) These 31 areas did not correspond to the territories of the old German States, except some exceptions, like Hanseatic “Hesse-Nassau”, “Baden”, or “Cities”. The territories of the large Member States of the Empire were divided, like Bavaria, in several areas such as “Nieder Bayern”, etc, because Bismarck had not missed such an occasion to slow down the particularism of these States. The employees of the German Empire were to stick each week, in one of the 52 boxes of their charts, the stamps of the area where they had achieved their weekly work. So that because of their displacements in the search of a work, the stamps of several areas could be found on the same chart.

Various classes of the socio-postal stamps

Four weekly stamps of different amounts were put on sale in 1891 by the post office in each area. They corresponded to 4 categories of wages, and their facial values were graduated consequently. In addition a stamp of 28pf, with mention “Z.M.” was created for the voluntary cotisants, attached to category II. It had little success. At the beginning, the stamps were not obliterated by the cotisants. But quickly they had to register on each one of them, the date of its affixing. This affixing following the weekly pay of the cotisants, the registered dates were those of Saturdays or Sundays.

Deposit of the charts after socio-postal stamping

These charts were to be restored duly stamped with the town hall or the police force at the end of the year, then transmitted to the regional institute of Social Security charged to manage the rights of each policy-holder. As it happened in addition that the stamps stuck on certain charts are take off after their deposit, each area quickly took the practice to cover the charts as of this deposit, of a total obliteration. Thanks to this one, the not stamped boxes were marked, at the time of the deposit, of fractions of this total obliteration, which made it possible to distinguish them from the boxes from where a stamp would have been detached later on. At the same time, total obliteration suitable for an area could extremely well cancel stamps of another area, when the titular worker of the chart had moved during the year, and had thus stuck figurines of several areas to it.

Evolution of the system at the time allemande

The reform of 1900

A first reform intervened on January 1st, 1900, pursuant to the law of June 22nd, 1899:

It comprised the creation of a fifth classifies starting from January 1st, 1900, and thus the emission of new a one week old stamp by each area.
In addition, at the request of the employers, the 2 week old stamps and 13 weeks requiring only one joining per fortnight, or quarter was created starting from January 1st, 1900, in order to avoid to them the joining of 52 annual stamps on each chart of employee. *Enfin, the stamp intended for the voluntary contributions was removed at the same date, because little used.

The German reform of 1912

One second reform intervened starting from January 1st, 1912, pursuant to a law of Empire of July 19th, 1911:

It resulted initially in an increase in the tariffs, which involved, in each area, the renewal of the series of the 15 stamps of 1,2, and 13 weeks, on the basis of 16,24,32,40 and 48pf per week).
It consisted in addition of the emission of a special stamp of 1 mark with legend “Zusatzmarke”, for the complementary contributions giving right certain additional services. < Br/>

The German reform of 1917

A third reform came into effect starting from January 1st, 1917, pursuant to the law of Empire of June 12th, 1916. < Br/>

It instituted a new increase in tariffs, which involved, in each area, a complete renewal of the series of the 15 stamps of 1,2, and 13 weeks, on the basis of 50pf or 18,26,34,42. < Br/>. This reform was going to remain in force until December 31st, 1918 in Alsace-Lorraine.

Mishaps and their solution

Corrections of contributions: From 1912, the cotisants, which had omitted for a certain period to satisfy their obligations of stamping, had the possibility of being put in rule by affixing the missing stamps on green complementary charts with mention “Markenbewahrkarte” available for this purpose.
Use of erroneous stamps: It happened that the employees or the owners stuck by error on their charts of the stamps of a category different from that corresponding to the wages of cotisant.

- Initially the monitoring services were satisfied to replace the inappropriate stamps after having torn off them. - But, at the end of 1917 a new system was set up, for the tax on the insufficiently freed charts (case definitely more current that stampings by excess! : The erroneous stamps were covered with a seal of correction of class, while stamps complementary to an amount equal to the sum of the noted differences were affixed and cancelled seal framed “Ungültig/Ergänzung”

Socio-postal stamps of French Alsace-Lorraine

At the time of the return of the French, the mode of Social Security German, much more favorable was maintained in Alsace-Lorraine subject to various adaptations of form. The implementation of this adapted mode passed by two stages:

Disannexation of the zone of Thann-Masevaux

In August 1914, the 7th French Army had lance an offensive on High-Alsace. After the temporary catch of Mulhouse, the face was stabilized, and a small portion of High-Alsace remained under French military control, around Thann and Masevaux (valleys Doller and of the Thur).

First French socio-postal stamps of Alsace

This situation involved a temporary interruption of the service of the Social Security. Towards the end of the year 1915, it was decided after consultation of representatives of the local population, to maintain the mode German as they wished it, but with some adaptations.

The French emission of 1917

A decree of the emanating January 2nd, 1916 of the general ordering VIIe armed thus announced the next emission of particular weekly stamps in Alsace, starting from August 1st, 1917. This series comprised 5 stamps, corresponding to the 5 classes of the German time, which were maintained. The colors adopted for each stamp remained the same ones as for the previous period. The type of the new stamps was that of the French figurines of the same time, with addition of the words “Alsace-Lorraine” in the cartouche of bottom. As for the facial values they were those, translated into Francs, of the German stamps of 1 week of the emission of 1912, in progress at the time of the return of the French troops.

The use of the first French socio-postal stamps

These stamps were to be affixed on new French charts, at the end of each week. They were to be dated during their affixing. As in addition the payment of the contributions had been stopped since 1914, it was possible with those which wished it retroactively starting from August 1st, 1914 cotiser, using the same stamps. Sometimes so that one can meet stamps of this emission gone back to before 1917.

Overall disannexation of Alsace-Lorraine

As from October 1918 the system in force in the zone of Thann-Masevaux was extended to all the surrounding area, then in all Alsace-Lorraine by a decree of the Presidency of the Council of December 30th, 1918, “starting from December 15th, 1918” (sic).

The installation of the normal means of stamping

The normal functioning of the system: The series of the 5 stamps of 1 emitted week with Thann-Masevaux was emitted in all the remainder of Alsace-Lorraine. But it was followed, pursuant to a decree of the High-Commissioner of France to Alsace-Lorraine of January 14th, 1919, emission of 5 2 week old stamps and 5 13 weeks. Their catégorielles colors and their type remained the same ones as for the stamps of 1 week (with addition of a small mention “2 weeks” or “13 weeks, according to the case, under “Alsace-Lorraine”). The amount of the contributions of each week remaining the same ones as in the zone of Thann-Masevaux, it was all Alsace-Lorraine which returned to the round German tariff of 1912 The mode of treatment of all these stamps remained identical so that it was previously

Mishaps

Correction of contributions: In the event of nonpayment of whole or part of the contributions, the cotisants could be put in rule by affixing the missing French stamps, initially on the green German complementary charts still in stock with mention “Markenbewahrkarte”, then on equivalent French green charts with mention “Chart additional of deposit”.
Use of erroneous stamps: The seals of correction of class in former Roman numerals remained in force. But in the event of use of erroneous stamps, the seals of taxation struck the additional stamps accepted from now on a new rectangular seal with French legend “Cancelled supplement”.

L `use posthumous of the German stamps

For the reconstitutions of contributions of the German time, the regional Institute of Alsace-Lorraine preserved a stock of figurines of the 3 preceding German emissions, thanks to which it could reconstitute the series of missing contributions with the stamps of the corresponding time. One recognizes the German stamps thus used with their dating after 1918, and (or) the presence of a seal in French language.

Evolution of the French mode

The consecutive period with the Great War was characterized, inter alia, by a progressive depression of the value of the Franc and by a correlative increase in wages. This is why rises of contributions did not fail to occur, involving of course the renewal of the stamps used to apply them.

The tariff of November 17th, 1920

The change of the scale of the contributions intervened starting from December 1st, 1920.

The provisional series

The provisional series. A decree of November 17th, 1920 multiplied by 4 the amount of the contributions. As the new tariff was applicable starting from December 1st, 1919, the fastest solution was that of the overload: The stamps of 1 week of the preceding series all were thus overloaded of a value multiplied by 4, qu' they are printed on paper G.C or blank paper.

The final series

emitted stamps: A final series of 15 stamps was emitted pursuant to a decree of March 9th, 1921, with three different drawings, of which one of large size for the 13 weeks, intended for differentiating the stamps well from 1 week of those 2 weeks and 13 weeks.
perforated; The Case of Insurances of the Employees affixed itself the stamps of its policy-holders. They were initially obliterated using a claw on date “C.A.E. ”. Then this case used during a few years of perforated stamps “A.E. ”. Other perforations were affixed by some employers, like the Breaking news of Alsace, which perforated successively their stamps of initials “D.N”, then of a star.
tax on the insufficiently stamped charts. The insufficiently stamped charts were corrected and taxed using the same seals as those with the preceding emission.

The tariff of February 2nd, 1931

For the rise of the wages resulting from the depreciation of the Franc, it was necessary to make correspond the amount of the contributions. From where the rise of the scale of the contributions in February 1931

The normal series

a new series of 15 stamps with 3 different types, of which one of large size for the 13 weeks, was emitted pursuant to a decree of February 7th, 1931, initially on white zone, then with bottom of safety. But the 13 week old stamps of this series, being used little, were removed starting from July 1st, 1935, by a decree of the previous April 8th.

the emission on white zone: The 15 stamps of 1931 were initially emitted on white zone, including those 13 weeks.
the first series of employers' Share: In addition, for the owners employing of the paid ones who preserved an community activity beyond their retirement, were created, as from April 1933, pursuant to a decree of January 18th, 1931, the stamps of “Employers' Share”. They were obtained by an overload reducing by half the facial value of the normal stamps.
new class VI: A new class, the VI, created later on, came into effect starting from July 2nd, 1934. It gave place to the emission of 3 new stamps of 1 weeks, 2 weeks and 13 weeks, all of color violet.

the emission on bottom of safety: From the end of 1936, new pullings of the preceding stamps were carried out on funds of safety of color. The attentive examination of these funds of safety reveals an uninterrupted continuation of the words “Insurances” and “social”. The majority of the stamps of 1 weeks and 2 weeks to the types of 1931, thus exist with and bottomless of color. But not those 13 weeks which had been withdrawn in 1935.
the second overloaded series employers' Part: Most of the stamps with bottom of safety of 1 and 2 weeks received, them also, the overload of “Employers' Share”.
new class VII: In addition, when a new class, the VII, created by the law of December 31st, 1937, came into effect starting from January 31st, 1938, the two new values of gray color of this new tax were emitted only with bottom of safety. Both exist with or without employers' Part overload

The overloads “39”

In at the end of 1939, whereas most of the populations of Alsace-Lorraine had been folded up in the west of France, 5 stamps with bottom of safety received the overload “39”. This overload would have been justified, according to a local circular of application of November 18th, 1939, by the concern of facilitating the control of the charts of contribution. This explanation does not hold obviously, since, emitted 1 month before the change of year, these stamps “39” were useful especially during the year 1940, without no overload “40” being born. The only possible explanation is that following an important flight, one wanted, by this overload, to make obstacle with the use of the disappeared figurines.

Local pullings

It will be noted finally that in July 1939, 2 of the values with bottom of safety, the 4 green Franc and the gray 9F50, were the subject of a local, recognizable pulling with the absence of signature of the artist, and with his defective serration.

Mishaps

correction of the nonversed contributions with continued to be carried out, in the application of the tariff of 1931, by the affixing of stamps corresponding to the amount due and nonversed, on the additional charts of deposit green.
the tax on the insufficiently stamped charts continued to be carried out by the striking of seals of correction of class. But those were more and more often made out in Arab numerals.

Socio-postal stamps of the occupation Nazi

It is as from the week from August 4th to 11th 1940, that came into effect simultaneously a new increase in the contributions, and stamps necessary to its application:

Stamps of occupation

The stamps of occupation were the ones of the stamps of normal use and the others of the stamps of employers' share (“Arbeitgeber Anteil”):

Normal stamps of occupation

As of the month of August 1940, the stamps intended for the application of the new tariff were obtained, for the 7 classes, by the overload of 7 one week old stamps of the French series of 1917 and 1921 of which 5 exist printed out of 2 categories of paper (white or G.C.).
It was added to it, in September, 4 stamps with the French type (standard of the local pulling of 1939 announced higher), with German legend, then, in December, a new French stamp of class VII overloaded, with mention “Els. - Lothr. ”.

Stamps of occupation of employers' share

In August and September 1940, 5 French stamps of 1 week and 3 2 weeks were overloaded mention “Arbeitgeber/Anteil” and of a new value. Then, in September, an overload of the type identical was applied to 7 German stamps to the French type (standard of the local pulling of 1939). Three of these stamps are mentioned with the Yvert catalog, like existing only with this overload. However one of them was recently found without overload, in 2 specimens, on a chart of contribution.

Mishaps

correction of the nonversed contributions with continued to be carried out by affixing of French stamps or occupation corresponding to the which had amount, on the additional charts of deposit green with legend “Markenbewahrkarte”.
the tax on the insufficiently stamped charts continued to be carried out by the striking of seals of correction of class, accompanied by a rectangular obliteration of in addition added figurines. But the French text was replaced there by the mention “Ungültig/Ausgleichmarke”.

The return of socio-postal of Germany in Alsace-Lorraine

As from the first week of January 1941, the contributions passed, to Alsace-Lorraine, with the tariff German full, higher than the tariff of occupation, which was translated for the interested parties by a new rise.

Stamps of the normal mode

At the same time, the normal German socio-postal stamps of 1 and 2 weeks were put there in progress. It comprised 10 values of 1 week and 10 2 weeks values, the number of classes of contribution having been changed to 10 to Germany.

Stamps of the insurance of the employees

By exception, some paid were subjected to the insurance of the employees and used monthly special stamps.

Mishaps

correction of the nonversed contributions. It continued to be carried out by affixing on the additional charts of deposit green with legend “Markenbewahrkarte” of French stamps or occupation corresponding to the amount due.
tax on the insufficiently stamped charts. It continued, as well for the stamps of the normal mode as for those of the insurance of the employees, by the striking of seals of correction of class, accompanied by rectangular obliteration with mention “Ungültig/Ausgleichmarke” on in addition added figurines.

Taking into account the rapid succession of the emissions French, of occupation and final, many errors, and thus of many corrections took place. It results from it that, on certain charts, one can meet, among the additional stamps, from the figurines of occupation or French frays with the stamps German and affixed, even after December 31st, 1940.

the regularization of the not regulated contributions continued to occur after the release, using the stock of German stamps available. One can thus find on certain charts of the seals in French language, sanctioning the affixing of the complementary German stamps on the charts checked by the new authorities.

End of the socio-postal stamps in Alsace-Lorraine

the use of the socio-postal stamps was removed in theory in Alsace-Lorraine, starting from July 1st, 1942. These stamps were then replaced by layers of white receipts fixed at the charts of contribution.
However, the 2 week old stamps remained usable, after this date, in a certain number of particular cases. So that one can find charts stamped comprising a posterior dating with that mentioned above.
Lastly, to the Release, the system of French taxation per payment in cash was extended to Alsace-Lorraine, and the last German social stamps available were not used any more but for the retroactive regularization of the contributions due for the period of war.

Sources and bibliography

Catalogs

Yvert and Tellier: Catalog of the revenue stamps and socio-postal of France and Monaco , Amiens, Yvert and Tellier, 2004.
Yvert and Tellier and A. Forbin: Catalog of the revenue stamps of France and Colonies , Yvert and Tellier, Amiens 1937.

Documentary works

C.R.A.V. (Regional Case of State pension scheme of Alsace-Lorraine): Historical of the Social Security in Alsace-Lorraine, 1891-1974 , Strasbourg 1974.
Henri Janton: social stamps of France , World of the philatelists, Paris, April-August 1978.
Edgar Wendling : social Stamps of Alsace=Lorraine (1891-1942) , Published by the Author, Chatel-Saint-Germain, 1986.
Martin Erler: Katalog der Stempermarken von Deutschland , vol. XIV, Rentenversicherungmarken , Icking, 1994.
Yves Maxime Danan: socio-postal stamps of Alsace-Lorraine , SPAL, Strasbourg, 2003 and SFPF, Paris, 2003. (Can be obtained with the SPAL or the SFPF) (http://sfpf.free.fr).

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