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The Reference Page
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Glossary - Some Frequently Used Terms Here are some simple, basic terms used in collecting stamps -- some may be sort of fuzzy and open to interpretation, and I have added a couple of my own invention in an attempt to be more precise, but I may change some of them when needed -- you will find many more in the Links, below When a thumbnail is linked to a larger version of the image, it will open on a new screen for convenience -- since this page has many scans on it, it may take a while for it to download in its entirety, depending on your connection speed -- sorry about that. I may yet reduce the file size of a couple more illustrations for faster viewing, and may add more. Barcode - found usually at the bottom margin of letters -- used in automated postal systems.
Block - An unseparated group of stamps, at least two stamps high and two stamps wide. Booklet Panes - panes of three or more of the same stamp issue. Panes are affixed inside a thin folder to form a booklet. Usually, collectors of booklet panes save the entire pane / booklet.
Booklet stamps - come in small folders that contain panes of 3 to 20 stamps each. Gummed booklet stamps have at least one straight edge. Cachet - A design on an envelope describing an event. Cachets appear on first day of issue, first flight and stamp exhibition covers, etc. 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.
Click for larger views Cancellation - A mark placed on a stamp by a postal authority to show that it has been used -- some may be somewhat more artistic than the usual simple postmark.
Coil stamps - issued in rolls for use in dispensers, as well as affixing and vending machines. Each coil stamp has two straight edges and two edges with either slitlike cuts or little holes, called perforations. Commemoratives - issued in observance of historical events in honor of noted Americans and on topics of national importance. Each commemorative issue is printed in limited quantities to be sold for a limited period of time (usually 60 days). Commemoratives are usually larger and more colorful than definitives. Only a limited number of each commemorative is printed, and most post offices only have them for a few months. The U.S. Postal Service's Philatelic Fulfillment Service Center also offers commemorative stamps by mail order for about one year after they are issued. Compound Perforations - Different gauge perforations on different (normally adjacent) sides of a single stamp. Condition - Condition is the most important characteristic in determining the value of a stamp. It refers to the state of a stamp regarding such details as centering, color and gum. Convertible Booklets - self-adhesive panes with a thin horizontal paper strip at the center or near the bottom that can be removed so that the pane can be folded twice, making it easy to carry in a pocket or purse. Copyright Blocks - feature the copyright symbol © followed by "United States Postal Service" or "USPS" in the margin of the pane. The USPS began copyrighting new stamp designs in 1978. Cover - An envelope that has been sent through the mail. Definitives - found on most mail. They feature former presidents, statesmen, prominent persons and national shrines. Their denominations range from 1 cent to 14 dollars. Definitives are placed on sale for an unlimited period, since they're printed in large quantities for specific postal rates. New definitives are issued when the postage rates change or a new series is introduced. Also see Special Purpose Stamps. Denomination - The postage value appearing on a stamp, such as 27 cents. Face Value - The monetary value or denomination of a stamp. I believe that all old United States postage stamps may still be used at face value -- whether the same is true in other countries is uncertain. First Day Cover (FDC) - An envelope with a new stamp and cancellation showing the date the stamp was issued. The postmark or cancellation applied to that stamp is dated on the date and at the location that the postage stamp is first placed on sale. Most collectors also want a printed design on the envelope that explains or provides additional information about the stamp. This printed design is called a cachet.
Click for larger view Envelopes, or covers, with postage stamps and cancellations are also issued for various special events such as First Flights, Presidential Inaugurations, Sports, Patriotics, Philatelic Conventions, XMAS, Special Events, etc.
Click for larger view Hinges - Small strips of gummed material used by collectors to affix stamps to album pages. Label Stamped - postage which is printed on a label having the exact fee imprinted on them, applied to the upper right of a cover / package at the post office of origin machines -- they are usually quite simple
some countries such as Spain and Canada, produce more artistic automated label stamps having almost a real stamp look to them
Miniature Sheet - A single stamp or block of stamps with a margin on all sides bearing some special wording or design. Matted Panes - full panes of stamps that are on a colored matted sheet to match the stamps. These are suitable for framing. Nondenominational Stamps - issued for a specific purpose, sometimes instead of a stamp having a face value when postal rates have increased and the new denominations have not yet been printed. They may also be used in large mailings by nonprofit organizations and others, frequently by spam snail mail offers, similar to that which is found in increasing numbers as spam on the Internet. Also see Special Purpose Stamps.
No Postage Due - printed onto return address envelopes from some companies, used for placing orders for merchandise, etc. It is sort of like a toll free telephone number, and costs you nothing
Pane - A full "sheet" of stamps as sold by a Post Office. Four panes typically make up the original sheet of stamps as printed. Perforations - Lines of small holes or cuts between rows of stamps that make them easy to separate. Philately - The collection and study of postage stamps and other postal materials. Pictorials - Stamps with a picture of some sort, other than portraits or static designs such as coats of arms. Plate Blocks - usually consist of four stamps from the corner of a pane, with the printing plate number in the margin (or selvage) of the pane. Postage Paid - hand stamped on an envelope / package at the post office of origin -- they are usually simple and may or may not indicate the amount paid
Postal Meter Stamped - postage which is printed on an envelope / cover / mailing label by a postal meter located at a business or other sender -- in the United States they tend to be simplistic postmarks in a single ink color, although a few may have an added image or text, while some companies have their own designs / logos included --
A variation of this might be those entities which actually print a predetermined postage paid indication as they print their envelopes, and they do not indicate the amount paid -- banks, large companies and Spam snail mail users often employ this form of reduced rate postage
Postmark - A usually very dimple mark put on envelopes or other mailing pieces, touching the stamp, showing the date and location of the post office where it was mailed.
Selvage - The unprinted paper around panes of stamps, sometimes called the margin. Series - All the variations of design and value of a particular issue. Set - A unit of stamps with a common design or theme issued at one time for a common purpose or over an extended period. Souvenir Sheet - panes of stamps issued without plate numbers that may have margins containing lettering or design that commemorate a notable subject, such as Daffy Duck and Sonoran Desert.
Click for larger view Special Purpose Stamps - issued for a specific purpose such as Express Mail, International airmail, and others. These stamps are printed for indefinite periods and are seldom revised except, perhaps, to vary the design -- some have the value printed on them, while others do not. Also see Nondenominational Stamps.
Special stamps - supplement each year's regular stamp issues. They include the Christmas and Love stamps.
Thematic - A stamp collection that relates to a specific theme and is arranged to present a logical story and progression. Topicals - Indicates a group of stamps with the same theme...space travel, for example. Unused - The condition of a stamp that has no cancellation or other sign of use. Used - The condition of a stamp that has been canceled. Watermark - A design pressed into stamp paper during its manufacture. |
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Books I may eventually add some stamp reference books here -- for available references on other subjects, check out my BOOK Web Site -- for many other topics on collecting and hobbies, you can find their Links on my Main Web Site. |
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In the following LInks you will find much more information about stamps, their history and collection, as well as more complete lists of terms, stamp supplies, stamp reference books, the always interesting stamp clubs found around the world, where you may have contact with other collectors and buy or swap stamps -- when I was studying and teaching in Madrid, Spain, every week they would hold get togethers / swap meets at the Plaza Mayor, and it was kewl fun. |
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