Multiple-franking vocabulary

What is a Mehrfachfrankatur, a Massenfrankatur, a Buntfrankatur or a Mehrfachbuntfrankatur? This note seeks to help those puzzled by the descriptions used in German-language catalogues. There is however no Bundesgesetze or even Postverordnung prescribing these meanings. Caveat Emptor, and always check the actual item or its picture.


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An item cancelled with more than one copy of the same value of the same issue and nothing else (eg a pair of 2 heller) is a Mehrfachfrankatur.
If you want it to have a large number (eg 10, or indeed 77) of copies of the same value of the same issue, you need a Massenfrankatur. Purists add that it must have no other stamps; realists go by the general impression it makes.
For an item with at least two stamps of the same issue but with different face values, eg 2h & 4h, ask for Buntfrankatur. Note that Mehrfachbuntfrankatur is used by Ferchenbauer for a Bunt with at least two copies of at least one value.
Bunt overrides Mehr, so this cover with three of 1S and a 40g is a Bunt. Massen overrides Bunt, so "10 copies of a 2h plus a 4h" is a Massenfrankatur.
This is decidedly a Massenfrankatur!
And so is this
This item is either a (Mehrfach)buntfrankatur or a Philatelic Concoction, depending on your collecting tastes.
This cover carries the "Austrian Painters" set. It was sent from Vienna to Germany, registered & express & by air. It's a Buntfrankatur.
This cover, franked at 66 piasters made up by twenty-eight 2-piaster and two 5-piaster adhesives, is a Massenfrankatur.

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©Andy Taylor. Last updated 22 Dec 2013