Accessories: Various products and tools commonly used by the stamp collector, including hinges, mounts, stamp tongs, perforation gauges, stock books and magnifiers. Stamp albums, catalogs and philatelic literature can also be regarded as accessories.
Adhesive: 1) The gum on the back of a stamp or
label. Some stamps have been issued with no adhesive. Stamp adhesive may be
water-activated or pressure-sensitive (self-adhesive). 2) A word generally
referring to a stamp that may be affixed to an article to prepay postal fees,
in contrast to a design printed directly on an article, as with postal
stationery. An adhesive can also refer to a registration label or other label
added to a cover.
Admirals: A nickname for three British
Commonwealth definitive series, those of Canada, 1912-25 (Scott 104-34); New
Zealand, 1926 (182-84); and Rhodesia, 1913-19 (119-38). These stamps depict
King George V of Great Britain in naval uniform.
Aerogram: A postage-paid airletter sheet with
gummed flaps that is written on and then folded to form an envelope. Aerograms
are normally carried at less than the airmail letter rate. No enclosures are
permitted.
Aerophilately: A specialized area of collecting
concentrating on stamps or covers transported by air.
Agency: 1) An extraterritorial post office maintained at various
times by a government within the territory of another government. Examples are
the post offices maintained by many European powers in the Turkish Empire until
1923. 2) An organization authorized to publicize or sell new issues of stamps
on behalf of a stamp-issuing entity.
Air labels: Air labels, or etiquettes, are used by
Universal Postal Union member nations to denote airmail carriage. They are
inscribed “Par Avion’’ (French for “By Airmail’’). The text usually includes
the same message in the language of the country of origin. Air labels also are
adhesives issued by private organizations for specific, unofficial flights.
Airmail: The carriage of mail by air. The first
regular airmail service began in 1870, when mail was carried from Paris-then
besieged by German forces-over enemy lines by balloon. Many countries have
issued postage stamps, stamped envelopes, postal cards and aerograms specially
designated for airmail use. The first airmail stamp was issued by Italy in 1917
(Italy Scott C1).
Albino: An uninked impression made by a printing plate. Such
errors are scarce on stamps. They are found more frequently on postal
stationery.
Album: A binder and pages designed for the mounting and display
of stamps or covers. Many early albums were permanently bound books. Albums
come in many sizes, styles and themes. See the Album section in this almanac.
Album weed: In general, a forged stamp. It also
refers to unusual items that resemble postage stamps but were not intended to pay
postage, like publicity labels and bogus issues. Album Weeds is the title of a
reference book series on forged stamps, written by the Rev. Robert Brisco
Ear E.
Aniline: Ink with a coal-tar base. Aniline inks
are very sensitive and may dissolve in water or other liquids or chemicals. To
prevent the erasure of cancellations and reuse of stamps, aniline inks were
used to print some stamps.
Approvals: Priced selections of stamps or covers
sent to collectors by mail. The collector purchases the items he chooses,
returning the rest to the approval dealer with payment for the purchased items.
Army Post Office: An official United States post office
established for use by U.S. military units abroad. An army post office (APO) or
military post office is set up to distribute mail to and from military
personnel. The APO is indicated by numbers during wartime to prevent revealing
personnel locations. The locations become generally known after the conflict
ends.
Arrow: On many sheets of stamps, V-shaped arrowlike markings
appear in the selvage, generally serving as guides for cutting the sheets into
predetermined units. Some collectors save stamps or blocks displaying these
marks.
As is: A term written in auction descriptions, or spoken or
written during a retail transaction. It indicates that an item or lot is sold
without guarantee or return privilege. Stamps are usually sold “as is’’ when
they are damaged or are possibly not genuine.
ATM: 1) In the United States, panes of self-adhesive stamps on
a liner the approximate size and shape of U.S. currency, designed for
dispensing from automatic teller machines. 2) “Automatenmarken,” automatic
stamps produced individually by a machine; see also Frama.
Auction: A sale of stamps, covers and other
philatelic items where prospective purchasers place bids in an attempt to
obtain the desired items. The highest bidder for each lot (described item or
items) makes the purchase. Auctions are generally divided into mail sales,
where bids are accepted by mail, and public sales, where mail bids are combined
with live bidding from individuals present at the auction or participating by
telephone.
Authentication mark: A marking, such as initials, placed on
the reverse of a stamp examined and certified to be genuine by an expert. Such
markings do not detract from the value of the stamps when they represent the
endorsement of recognized authorities.
APO: Army Post Office. An official United States post office
established for use by U.S. military units abroad. An army post office or
military post office is set up to distribute mail to and from military
personnel. The APO is indicated by numbers during wartime to prevent revealing
personnel locations. The locations become generally known after the conflict
ends.
B
Backprint: Printing on the reverse of a stamp. Some
stamps have numbers, symbols, advertising or information about the stamp
subject printed on the reverse of the stamp.
Backstamp: A postmark applied to mail by the
receiving post office or by a post office handling the piece while it is in
transit. Backstamps are usually on the back of a cover, but they can be on the
front.
Bank mixture: A high-quality mixture of stamps. It
generally represents clippings from the mail of banks or other businesses with
extensive overseas correspondence, and thus includes a relatively high
proportion of foreign stamps of high face value. See also Mission mixture.
Bantams: The nickname of the South African
definitive series of 1942-43 (Scott 90-97). Wartime economy measures prompted
the manufacture of stamps of small size to conserve paper.
Batonne: A wove or laid paper with watermarklike
lines deliberately added in the papermaking process and intended as a guide for
handwriting.
Bicolor: Printed in two colors.
Bilingual: Inscribed in two languages. Most Canadian
stamps include both English and French text. South African stamps from 1926-49
were printed alternately with English and Afrikaans inscriptions in the same
sheet.
Bisect: A stamp cut or perforated into two parts, each half
representing half the face value of the original stamp. Officially authorized
bisects have often been used during temporary shortages of commonly used
denominations. Unauthorized bisects appear on mail from some countries in some
periods. Bisects are usually collected on full cover with the stamp tied by a
cancel. At times, some countries have permitted trisects or quadrisects.
Bishop mark: The earliest postmark, introduced by
Henry Bishop in England circa 1661. A Bishop mark was used to indicate the
month and day that a letter was received by a post office. It encouraged prompt
delivery by letter carriers.
Black Jack: The nickname of the United States 2¢
black Andrew Jackson stamp issued between 1863 and 1875.
Blind perforation: Intended perforations that are only
lightly impressed by the perforating pins, leaving the paper intact, but cut or
with a faint impression. Some stamps that appear to be imperforate really are
not if they have blind perfs. Stamps with blind perfs are minor varieties
carrying little, if any, price premium over normally perforated copies.
Block: A unit of four or more unsevered stamps, including at
least two stamps both vertically and horizontally. Most commonly a block refers
to a block of four, or a block of stamps two high and two wide, though blocks
often contain more stamps and may be irregularly configured (such as, a block
of seven consisting of one row of three stamps and one row of four stamps).
Bluenose: The nickname for Canada Scott 158, the
50¢ issue of 1929, picturing the schooner Bluenose.
Bogus: A fictitious stamp like label created for sale to
collectors. Bogus issues include labels for nonexistent countries, nonexistent
values appended to regularly issued sets and issues for nations or similar
entities without postal systems.
Booklet: A unit of one or more small panes or
blocks (known as booklet panes) glued, stitched or stapled together between
thin card covers to form a convenient unit for mailers to purchase and carry.
The first officially issued booklet was produced by Luxembourg in 1895. For
some modern booklets of self-adhesive stamps the liner (backing paper) serves
as the booklet cover.
Bourse: A meeting of stamp collectors and/or dealers, where stamps
and covers are sold or exchanged. A bourse usually has no competitive exhibits
of stamps or covers. Almost all public stamp exhibitions include a dealer
bourse, though many bourses are held without a corresponding exhibition.
Bull’s-Eyes: 1) The nickname for the 1843 first issue
of Brazil, Scott 1-3. The similar but smaller issues are called goat’s eyes. 2)
A bull’s-eye cancel refers to a “socked-on-the-nose’’ postmark with the
impression centered directly on the stamp so that the location and date of
mailing are shown on the stamp.
Burelage: A design of fine, intricate lines
printed on the face of security paper, either to discourage counterfeiting or
to prevent the cleaning and reuse of a stamp. The burelage on some stamps is
part of the stamp design.
Burele: Adjective form for burelage, meaning having a fine network
of lines. Some stamps of Queensland have a burele band on the back. Also called
moir.
C
Cachet: In French, cachet means a stamp or a seal. On a cover, the
cachet is an added design or text, often corresponding to the design of the
postage stamp, the mailed journey of the cover, or some type of special event.
Cachets appear on modern first-day covers, first-flight covers and
special-event covers.
Canceled-to-order: Stamps are “canceled to order,’’ usually
in full sheets, by many governments. The cancels may be printed on the stamps
at the same time that the stamp design is printed. A stamp with a cancel and
with full gum is likely a CTO stamp, as CTOs do not see actual postal use. CTO
stamps are sold to stamp dealers at large discounts from face value. Most
catalogs say whether they price CTO stamps or genuinely used stamps.
Cancel: A marking intended to show a stamp has been used and is no
longer valid as postage. Modern cancels usually include the name of the
original mailing location or a nearby sorting facility and the date of mailing.
Most cancellations also include a section of lines, bars, text or a design that
prints upon the postage stamp to invalidate it. This part of a cancel is called
the killer.
Cantonal stamps: Issues of Switzerland’s cantons (states)
used before the release of national stamps. The cantonal issues of Basel
(1845), Geneva (1843-50) and Zurich (1843-50) are among the classics of
philately.
Cape Triangles: Common name for the triangular Cape of
Good Hope stamps of 1853-64, the first stamps printed in triangular format. The
distinctive shape helped illiterate postal clerks distinguish letters
originating in the colony from those from other colonies.
Catalog: A comprehensive book or similar
compilation with descriptive information to help identify stamps. Many catalogs
include values for the listed items. An auction catalog is published by the
auction firm in advance of a planned sale to notify potential customers of the
specific items that will be offered.
Catalog value: The value of a stamp as listed in a
given catalog for the most common condition in which the stamp is collected.
Some catalogs list stamps at a retail value, though actual dealer prices may
vary substantially for reasons of condition, demand or other market factors.
Most catalogs have a set minimum value for the most common stamps.
Censored mail: A cover bearing a handstamp or label
indicating that the envelope has been opened and the contents inspected by a
censor.
Centering: The relative position of the design of a
stamp in relation to its margins. Assuming that a stamp is undamaged, centering
is generally a very important factor in determining grade and value.
Certified mail: A service of most postal administrations
that provides proof of mailing and delivery without indemnity for loss or
damage.
Chalky paper: A chalk-surfaced paper for printing
stamps. Any attempt to remove the cancel on a used chalky-paper stamp will also
remove the design. Immersion of such stamps in water will cause the design to
lift off. Touching chalky paper with silver will leave a discernible,
pencil-like mark and is a means of distinguishing chalky paper.
Changeling: A stamp whose color has been changed-intentionally
or unintentionally-by contact with a chemical or exposure to light.
Charity seals: Stamplike labels that are distributed by
a charity. They have no postal validity, although they are often affixed to
envelopes. United States Christmas seals are one example.
Charity stamp: see Semipostal.
Cinderella: A stamplike label that is not a postage
stamp. Cinderellas include seals and bogus issues, as well as revenue stamps,
local post issues and other similar items.
Classic: An early issue, often with a connotation of
rarity, although classic stamps are not necessarily rare. A particularly scarce
recent item may be referred to as a modern classic.
Cleaning (stamps): Soiled or stained stamps are sometimes
cleaned with chemicals or by erasing. The cleaning is usually done to improve
the appearance of a stamp. A cleaned stamp can also mean one from which a
cancellation has been removed, making a used stamp appear unused.
Cliché: The individual unit consisting of the design of a single
stamp, combined with others to make up the complete printing plate. Individual
designs on modern one-piece printing plates are referred to as subjects.
Coil: Stamps processed in a long single row and prepared for
sale in rolls, often for dispensing from stamp-vending and affixing machines.
Some coils, including most U.S. coils, have a straight edge on two parallel
sides and perforations on the remaining two parallel sides. Some coils are
backprinted with sequence or counting numbers.
Collateral material: Any supportive or explanatory material
relating to a given stamp or philatelic topic. The material may be either
directly postal in nature (post office news releases, rate schedules, souvenir
cards, promotional items) or nonpostal (maps, photos of scenes appearing on
stamps).
Combination cover: Cover bearing the stamps of more than
one country when separate postal charges are paid for the transport of a cover
by each country. Also stamps of the same country canceled at two different
times on the same cover as a souvenir.
Commatology: Specialized collecting of postmarks.
This term was invented before World War II to describe postmark collecting. It
is rarely used. Usually, collectors refer to postmark collecting or marcophily.
Commemorative: A stamp printed in a limited quantity and
available for purchase for a limited time. The design may note an anniversary
associated with an individual, an historic event, or a national landmark. See
also Definitive.
Compound perforations: Different gauge perforations on
different sides of a single stamp. The sides with the different gauge
measurements are usually perpendicular.
Condition: The overall appearance and soundness of
a stamp or cover. Positive condition factors include fresh full color, full
original gum on unused stamps, and so on. Damage such as creases, tears,
thinned paper, short perforation teeth, toning and so on negatively affect
condition.
Controlled mail: A system in which the mailer selects
philatelically desirable issues for outgoing mail, arranges for a specific
manner of cancellation and secures the stamps’ return by the addressee. In some
cases such controlled mail operations may provide rare examples of specific
rate fulfillment, or other similar postal use.
Copyright block: Block of four or more United States
stamps with the copyright notice marginal marking of the United States Postal
Service. The copyright marking was introduced in 1978 and replaced the Mail
Early marking.
Corner card: An imprinted return address, generally
in the upper-left corner of an envelope, from a commercial, institutional or
private source, similar to business card or letterhead imprints.
Counterfeit: Any stamp, cancellation or cover created
for deception or imitation, intended to be accepted by others as genuine. A
counterfeit stamp is designed to deceive postal authorities.
Cover: An envelope or piece of postal stationery, usually one
that has been mailed. Folded letters that were addressed and mailed without an
envelope and the wrappers from mailed parcels are also covers.
Crash cover: A cover that has been salvaged from the
crash of an airplane, train, ship or other vehicle. Such covers often carry a
postal marking explaining damage or delay in delivery.
Crease: A noticeable weakening of the paper of a stamp or cover,
caused by its being folded or bent at some point. Creases substantially lower a
stamp’s value. Creases particularly affect cover values when they extend
through the attached stamp or a postal marking. Stamp creases are visible in
watermark fluid.
Cut cancellation: A cancellation that intentionally slices
into the stamp paper. Often a wedge-shaped section is cut away. On many issues,
such cancellations indicate use of postage stamps as fiscals (revenues) or
telegraph stamps rather than as postage. Cut cancellations were used experimentally
on early United States postage stamps to prevent reuse.
Cut square: A neatly trimmed rectangular or square
section from a stamped envelope that includes the imprinted postage stamp with
ample margin. Collectors generally prefer to collect stationery as entire
pieces rather than as cut squares. Some older stationery is available only in
cut squares.
Cut-to-shape: A nonrectangular stamp or postal
stationery imprint cut to the shape of the design, rather than cut square.
Cut-to-shape stamps and stationery generally have lower value than those cut
square. One of the world’s most valuable stamps, the unique 1856 British Guiana
“Penny Magenta” (Scott 13), is a cut-to-shape stamp.
Cylinder: A curved printing plate used on a modern
rotary press. The plate has no seams. For United States stamps, cylinders are
used to print gravure stamps. See also Sleeve.
Cancellation: A marking intended to show a stamp has
been used and is no longer valid as postage. Modern cancels usually include the
name of the original mailing location or a nearby sorting facility and the date
of mailing. Most cancellations also include a section of lines, bars, text or a
design that prints upon the postage stamp to invalidate it. This part of a
cancel is called the killer.
CTO: Canceled-to-order. Stamps are “canceled to order,’’
usually in full sheets, by many governments. The cancels may be printed on the
stamps at the same time that the stamp design is printed. A stamp with a cancel
and with full gum is likely a CTO stamp, as CTOs do not see actual postal use.
CTO stamps are sold to stamp dealers at large discounts from face value. Most
catalogs say whether they price CTO stamps or genuinely used stamps.
Charity stamp: A stamp sold at a price greater than
postal value, with the additional charge dedicated for a special purpose.
Usually recognized by the presence of two (often different) values, separated
by a “+’’ sign, on a single stamp.
D
Dead country: A former stamp-issuing entity that has
ceased issuing its own stamps. Also, the old name of an active stamp-issuing
entity that has changed its name, so that the old name will no longer be used
on stamps.
Definitive: Stamp issued in a large indefinite
quantity and for an indefinite period, usually several years or more. The
United States Presidential issue of 1938 and the 1995 32› Flag Over Porch
stamps are examples. Definitive stamp designs usually do not honor a specific
time-dated event.
Deltiology: Picture postcard collecting.
Denomination: The face value of a stamp, usually
indicated by numerals printed as part of the design. Some modern U.S. stamps
produced for rate changes are denominated with a letter. A numerical value is
assigned when the letter stamps are issued. An example of this is the H-rate
Hat stamp of 1998, which represented the first-class rate of 33¢.
Die: The original engraving of a stamp design, usually
recess-engraved in reverse on a small flat piece of soft steel. In traditional
intaglio printing, a transfer roll is made from a die and printing plates are
made from impressions of the transfer roll. When more than one die is used in
the production of an issue, distinctive varieties are often identifiable.
Die cut: A form of separation usually employed on
self-adhesive stamps. During processing, an edged tool (die) completely
penetrates the stamp paper on all sides of the printed stamp, making the
removal of the individual stamps from the liner possible. Die cuts may be
straight, shaped in wavy lines to simulate perforation teeth, or take other
forms.
Directory markings: Postal indication of failed delivery
attempt, stating the reason for failure. Examples are “No Such Number,’’
“Address Unknown’’ and “Moved.’’
Duck stamp: Popular name for the United States
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp, issued for use on hunting
licenses. Each annual stamp depicts waterfowl. Also used to describe similar
issues from the various states for use by hunters or for sale to collectors.
Dummy stamp: Officially produced imitation stamp used
to train employees or to test automatic stamp-dispensing machines. Dummy stamps
are usually blank or carry special inscriptions, blocks or other distinguishing
ornamentation. They are not valid for postage, nor are they intended to reach
the hands of stamp collectors. Some do by favor of postal employees.
Duplex cancel: A two-part postal marking consisting of
a canceler and a postmark. The canceler voids the stamp so it cannot be reused.
The postmark notes the date and place of mailing.
