Franking (or "franks") are any and all devices or markings such as postage stamps (including printed and/or embossed on postal stationery), printed or stamped impressions, codings, labels, ...
Widows' franks: widows of deceased presidents free frank, Act of Congress, 1940.
Wien: (Ger.) Vienna.
Wiener Messe: label with flying rocket and overprint issued for Vienna Fair.
The items above are all WWI soldiers mail, from US personnel with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, and all display both free franks and censors marks.
Franks may be written, hand-stamped, imprinted or affixed. Free franking is usually limited to soldiers' mail or selected government correspondence. Postage stamp and postage meter stamps are modern methods of franking a letter.
Frank, Franking: An indication on a cover that postage is prepaid, partially prepaid or that the letter is to be carried free of postage. Franks may be written, handstamped, imprinted or affixed.
An indication on a cover that postage is prepaid, partially prepaid or that the letter is to be carried free of postage. Franks may be written, handstamped, imprinted or affixed.
 See also: Stamp, Frank, Used, Cancel, Cover
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