[Forces Post Office]”.
Army telegraphs Stamps inscribed either Army
Telegraphs or Military Telegraphs were issued between 1884 and 1901
for use by British Military Forces on manoeuvres.
Aromatic stamps Stamps that give off an aroma e.g.
Switzerland 2001 Chocolate issue which when scratched had an aroma
of chocolate.
Arrival postmark Impression placed on mail by
receiving office to show name of office and arrival date usually
applied on the back of correspondence.
Arrow block Multiple of stamps, usually a block of
four, with an attached sheet margin bearing a printed arrow as a
guide to dividing the sheet for easier balancing of stock.
Arrow On many sheets of stamps, V-shaped arrow-like
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.
Art Cards The art card is possibly the most
important category in antique postcards. Unlike view or greeting
cards, most art cards were special interest cards when printed and
in most cases brought a much higher price. Rarity, combined with the
skill of the artist of this period, make these cards very popular
among collectors today. To better understand this popularity, think
of them as postcard-sized original high quality prints.
Art Déco Postcard A postcard depicting the art and design
style that emerged in the mid-1910s, reached its peak in the
mid-1920s and continued into the early 1930s. Characterised by
angular shapes and bold colours.
Art Nouveau Postcard A post card depicting the art
and decorative design style fashionable between 1890 and 1910.
Characterised by flowing lines and flowery symbols, yet often
depicting impressionist more than representational art.
Art paper A superfine paper with a surface of china
clay giving it a highly enamelled finish for the printing of
fine-screen half-tone blocks.
Artist Signed Any postcard which has an artist’s
signature or initials. Postcards where the publisher has identified
the artist are also considered to be artist signed. The term does
not mean the postcard has been autographed.
Artistamps A class of ‘collectables’ that are NOT
postage stamps, bogus stamps or fake stamps. Usually made
by artists as a form of self-expression much like any art work.
Often they exhibit qualities of postage stamps like a denomination,
a country name (often of a non-existing place) and really fall
outside the realm of philately.
Artwork Artist’s painting or drawing serving as the
basis for stamp design.
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. Stamps etc. sold to collectors at their own risk not
guaranteed by the vendor.
ASCAT Association internationale des éditeurs de catalogues de
timbres-poste d’albums et de publications philatéliques (French) International Association of Stamp Catalogue, Stamp Album
and Philatelic Magazine Publishers. ASCAT’s objectives are stated as
“pursuing the professional interests of ASCAT members, particularly
relations with postal administrations; the UPU; international
philatelic collectors’ organisations; and, organisations of stamp
expertisers, journalists, and dealers.
Astrophilately exhibit An FIP class, an
astrophilatelic exhibit is built up on historical, technical and
scientific aspects related to space research and space programmes.
Astrophilately Space philately as a theme or topic.
A study and collection of stamps, covers and documents related to
space exploration.
ATF (French)
Angleterre Transit Français – England Transit France
Athens prints The first issues of Greece were
printed by Meyer in Paris but later printings from November 1861
were made in Athens.
ATM 1) See“Automatic Teller Machine”
ATM 2) see “Automatenmarken,”
automatic stamps produced individually by a machine. (See also
Frama”.)
Au Delà (French) “beyond”. Bilingual
handstamp seen on airmail e.g. By Air to Australia/Par Avion en
Australie.
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.
Audit Office franks free postage “Government
Department printed frank” (see also). Two franks first authorised
for use in 1892.
Authentication Expert opinion that a stamp or other
philatelic item is genuine.
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.
Autogiro mail Mail carried over short but congested
routes by the 1930s experimental aircraft.
Automatenmarken (German) “Automatic Mark“
abbreviated ATM. Variable value stamp (Germany)
Automatic face canceller Machine that orient
letters so they are facing the same way and then applies a cancel.
Often uses ultraviolet light to detect phosphor on stamps for
positioning the mail.
Automatic franking machine A machine that
automatically stamps letters or packages passing through it and
computes the total charge. (See also “Meter mark”.)
Automatic letter facing machine Used in letter
sorting offices the machine arranges letters so that the stamps on
them are all in the same position.
Automatic machine perforation Type of perforation
applied to vertical spaces between stamps of New Zealand (1905-6)
and USA (1906-12) used for stamp vending machines.
Automatic sorting machine Machine that can scan and
archive mail piece images during the sort process for compliance and
proof of mailing using multi-line OCR technology (MLOCR)
Automatic stamp vending machine Machines installed
at certain Post Offices and elsewhere for the supply of adhesive
stamps by paying the money into a slot.
Automatic stamps Any impression applied directly to
a postal packet or to a gummed label for fixing to a postal packet
dispensed by a coin operated machine.
Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Machine used by
banks for dispensing cash, but has been adapted in USA and Australia
to dispense special small sheets of self-adhesive stamp on a liner
the approximate size and shape of currency.
Autres Objects (French) Other Articles. A
category of International Mail that includes regular printed matter,
books and sheet music, matter for the blind, small packets, and
publishers’ periodicals.
AV2 UPU Form stating weight of registered and
non-registered airmail. See also “OAT”.
Average A stamp with poor margins or perforations
cutting into design, also maybe a heavy postmark.
Avis de reception (French) “Advice of
receipt”.
Azemar Early type of postmarking machine devised by
J G Azemar in 1868 and used experimentally in London between
February 1869 and the end of 1872.
B
Back of Card For most postcard
collectors this will mean the address side of the postcard although
some philatelic (stamp) collectors consider the back the picture
side.
Back of the book (BOB) Refers to a variety of items
usually listed in the back of a specialised stamp catalogue.
Include, for example, postage dues, revenues, postal savings stamps,
etc.
Background Lines, shading, or solid colour used as
a background for an artistic feature such as a head
Backing Part of a printing plate made by pouring
molten type metal into the non-printing side of an electro-deposited
shell.
Backprint Printing on the reverse of a stamp. Some
stamps have numbers, symbols, advertising or information about the
stamp subjects printed on the reverse of the stamps. See also
“Underprint”.
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. In Britain, a plain diamond shape
backstamp is used for statistical purposes.
Bâle Dove Swiss Cantonal stamp issue of 1845.
Ballon Monté (French) “Piloted balloon”.
Term used for letters despatched by balloon during the Siege of
Paris (1870-1871).
Balloon Post Mail carried by either a manned
balloon or a free (unmanned) balloon.
Bande (French) “wrapper”.
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”.
Banknote paper Paper originally used for the
production of banknotes, but subsequently used for the printing of
stamps e.g. Latvia 1920.
Bantams The nickname of the South African
definitive series of 1942-43. Wartime economy measures prompted the
manufacture of stamps of small size to conserve paper.
BAOR Abbreviation of British Army of the
Rhine. BAOR is usually followed by a number designating
location.
BAPO British Army Post Office
Bar Cancel Cancellation consisting of bars in
rectangular, oval or circular patterns.
Bar code A series of vertical full bars and half
bars able to be read by electronic equipment. These may appear in a
number of situations in the postal environment including: 1) printed
on mail representing the postal code to facilitate automated
processing by bar code reader equipment or 2) printed on the margins
of stamp sheets, on booklet covers or other postal products for
accounting purposes in a postal outlet.
Bar code stamps and labels Stamps or labels
including a barcode.
Bar cut Groove deliberately cut into the
obliterating bars of some stamps to identify the stamper.
Barcode block Any part of a sheet of stamps that
contains a printed barcode. Barcode blocks on the bottom and
left-hand selvedge may be referred to as ‘A format’ and barcode
blocks on the top and right-hand selvedge as ‘B format’.
Barred cancel Obliteration used either to cancel a
stamp or to block out a portion of the design.
Bas Relief Postcard Postcard with
a heavily raised surface, giving a papier-mâché appearance. The
image on the card has heavily raised surfaces giving it a sculptured
feel. Usually the images are of Royalty or Edwardian actresses and
other ‘familiar’ celebrities of the era. The effect is more
pronounced than on embossed cards. It was a patented process.
Basted Mills The mills in Kent of Lepard &
Smith. They made a thin (much thinner than Waterlow), hard,
vertical mesh paper with a watermark of double-lines NZ and star.
Used in some NZ printings of the Penny Universal.
Bâtonné (French) A wove or laid “bank”
letter paper, designed for lightweight foreign correspondence with
watermark-like lines deliberately added in the papermaking process
and intended as a guide for handwriting.
Beaufort House essays Designs submitted by Charles
Whiting of Beaufort House in the British Treasury competition of
1839.
Bed Steel surface in a printing press on which a
printing plate is laid.
Beer duty stamps The NZ Beer Duty Act 1880 required
beer be levied 3d per gallon. Beer Duty stamps were affixed
over the bung of the beer barrel and thus are frequently found
damaged due to the action of removing the bung. Beer duty and its
payment in stamps were used in Victoria in late 1880, Queensland in
1885; New South Wales in 1887, South Australia in 1894, and Western
Australia in 1898. The Dutch had charged a beer excise since the
middle of the fourteenth century, Britain since the seventeenth
century and the Americans were using special stamps as early as
1866.
Benzine Colourless liquid made from petroleum used
for detecting watermarks in stamps. Not to be confused with Benzene.
WARNING for health and safety carefully follow
instructions provided with the product.
Beta flaw a term to describe flaws in lithographed
stamps. See “alpha and beta flaws”.
Beta flaw See “Alpha and Beta flaws”
BFPO British Forces Post Office
Bi-coloured Printed in two colours.
Bicycle posts Postal services operated by means of
bicycles.
Big Letter A postcard that shows the name of a
place in very big letters that do not have pictures inside each
letter (see also Large Letter).
Bilingual pair Two unseparated stamps on which the
inscriptions are in different languages. For example South African
stamps from 1926-49 were printed alternately with English and
Afrikaans inscriptions in the same sheet.
Bilingual Stamp A single stamp with inscriptions in
two languages. For example, most Canadian stamps include both
English and French text.
BIOT British Indian Ocean Territories
Bipartite stamp A stamp made in
two parts for easy separation so that one part can be put on the
mailed packet with the other acting as a receipt.
Bisect A stamp cut in half officially or privately
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. The 1/- FFQ was used bisected at
Dunedin to provide a 6d value.
Bishop mark The earliest postmark, a small circular
hand-struck mark showing month and day that a letter was received by
a post office, but not year. It is the earliest dated postmark known
to have been used by any postal administration. Invented by Henry
Bishop and introduced c1661 to encourage prompt delivery by letter
carriers.
Bit A design or device reproduced in bent wire for
attachment to the dandy roll of a paper-making machine to produce a
watermark.
BIT Bureau International du Travail (French) “International
Labour Office”.
Bite A white spot in an impression due to a small
piece of paper adhering during printing.
Bizonals Nickname given to stamps issued from 1945
to 1949 in the Anglo-American zones of Germany.
Black Jack The nickname of the US 2c black Andrew
Jackson stamp issued between 1863 and 1875.
Black plates Printing plates used for making the
Penny Black Stamp of Great Britain in 1840. See also “Red plates”.
Black prints Proofs of forthcoming postage stamps
which were sent by the Austrian Post Office to the press for
publicity also printing of GB Line engraved 1d stamps in black ink
after printing in red had begun. Also used to describe souvenir
sheets of stamp issues with no postal validity.
Blackout cancel Machine postmarks consisting of a
black line, circle or crosses used as a wartime security measure.
Blanc French key-type design designed by Joseph
Blanc used 1900-1929.
Blanket Endless belt of felt which conveys newly
formed paper through the pressing rollers.
Bleaching Term used for a colour usually destroyed
by oxidation.
Bleed off Printing term denoting printing which
runs off the edge of a page after trimming.
Bleuté (French) Paper tinged with blue.
The bluish effect of chemical action between (a) an ingredient of
the ink and impurities in the paper (London Prints of the 2d and 1/-
FFQs of 1855) or (b) impurities in the paper and prussiate of potash
(Potassium ferricyanide K3[Fe(CN)6]) with
which the paper was impregnated to provide security against the
removal of cancellations (first side faces). In both cases the
blueing was unintentional. Also called “Blued paper”.
Blind perforation Circular depressions instead of
cut holes. Intended perforations that are only lightly
impressed by the perforating pins or where the holes have not been
punched out due to blunt or missing perforation 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
perforations. Stamps with blind perforations are minor varieties
carrying little, if any, price premium over normally perforated
copies. It is more usual with rotary wheels than with line or comb
heads.
Blitz perforation Various perforations of the New
Zealand 1941-45 pictorials and on stamps of some British Colonies as
a result of war damage to the factories of De La Rue and the
subsequent perforating by Waterlow & Sons and Harrison &
Sons.
Block A unit of four or more un-severed 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). See also “Plate
block” and “Corner Block”.
Block letter Plain squared printers’ type without
ornament or serifs.
Blocked value Name given to one denomination in a
set of stamps for which the sale has been restricted.
Blue paper Paper coloured blue throughout and used
by Richardson for the local printings of the FFQs.
Blue rag paper Paper containing a quantity of rag
as well as wood pulp but which is in fact more grey than blue.
Blued paper The paper of a stamp which has a pale
blue tinge as a result of the manufacturing process caused by
prussiate of potash (Potassium ferricyanide
K3[Fe(CN)6]). Also called “Bleuté”.
Bluenose The nickname for the Canadian 50c issue of
1929, picturing the schooner Bluenose.
Bluish paper Used to print portions of several US
issues in 1909; the paper was made with 35 percent rag stock instead
of all wood pulp. The colour goes through the paper, showing clearly
on back and face.
Blurred print A smudgy and thickened appearance of
the lines of a design occurs when a plate is over-inked or when the
surfacing becomes damaged. It can also be found in some
examples of double impressions and in kiss prints.
BM (French) Boite Mobile “Movable
box”. See also “MB”.
BMA Abbreviation for “British Military
Administration” overprint on stamps of North Borneo in 1945.
BNA British North America: Canada, Newfoundland,
Nova Scotia, etc.
BOARD OF EDUCATION Overprint on British stamps
issued between 1902 and 1904 to school inspectors for use on
official correspondence.
Boardwalk margin A wide margin.
BOB See “Back of the book”
Bogus A fictitious stamp-like label created for
sale to collectors. Bogus issues include labels for non-existent
countries, non-existent values appended to regularly issued sets and
issues for nations or similar entities without postal systems. A
spurious, pretend stamp. See also “Cinderella” and “Fake”.
Bogus stamps Unauthorised stamps.
Boite Mobile (BM) (French) Mobile Box.
Bold type Lettering thicker and darker in colour
than usual, often used in overprints.
Bond paper A thin crisp paper with a hard surface.
Booklet A unit of one or more small panes or blocks
(known as booklet panes), often interleaved with sheets of
commercial advertising, 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. See also
“Exploded”, “Booklet pane” and “Prestige booklet”.
New Zealand’s first two booklets were produced in 1901 using panes
of six Penny Universals taken from ordinary sheets, interleaved with
waxed paper and stapled between a white card cover. In 1902
the booklets used panes printed from a specially prepared booklet
plate. This practice continued until 1977 when booklets used a
folded pane of 10 stamps from normal sheets inserted and glued into
a cardboard cover. With some exceptions the use of normal sheet
stamps continued until the advent of self-adhesive stamps where the
cover’s inside formed the liner for the stamps. See also “Hangsell”,
“Foodtown booklet”, “Envelope booklet”.
Booklet pane A small sheet of stamps specially cut
to be sold in booklets. (See also “Pane”)
Booklet stamps Stamps intended for release in
booklets and differing in some aspect from normal issued stamps.
Bookmark postcard A long and narrow postcard
measuring approximately 2½ x 5 – 6 in (90 x 140- 150 mm) that can
also be used as a bookmark.
Bordeaux Print A stamp lithographed at Bordeaux in
1870/1 instead of being produced in Paris during the Franco Prussian
War.
Bordpost (German) Ship Mail
Boule de Moulins (French) Zinc coated
steel sphere containing bundles of letters wrapped in waterproof
material which was floated down the River Seine into Paris during
the Siege 1870-1871.
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.
BoxLink BoxLink had a next working day delivery
target for sending across town or between major towns and cities. To
use this service you must have had a NZ Post PO Box or Private Bag.
BoxLink could not be used for sending mail to street, rural delivery
or overseas addresses.
Boy Scout posts Posts organised by boy scouts in
the absence of national post services and at Christmas when Royal
Mail has authorised the service for the specific purpose of local
delivery of Christmas Cards.
Braille A system of printing by means of raised
dots enabling the blind to read by touch.
Braille embossed stamps Stamps bearing Braille e.g.
NZ 2006 Year of the Dog – value (45c) embossed in Braille
Briefmarke (German) “stamp”.
Britannia types Early British Colonial design
engraved by Perkins Bacon e.g. for British West Indies.
British closed mail Prepaid mail for foreign
countries sent through the British postal system 1849.
British gum Commercial name for dextrin, leiocome
or starch gum used on early British stamps.
British Postal Agency Agencies in Eastern Arabia
and the Gulf e.g. Muscat, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
Broken letters Malformed or broken letters in the
inscriptions on stamps caused by damage to the printing plate.
Brunswick Star Postmark used in Edinburgh between
1863 and 1873, so called because it was similar to the star of the
Ducal Order of Brunswick.
BT surmounted by a Crown Punch perforated on stamps
of GB signifies Board of Trade.
BTB (Believed to be): Abbreviation
used by dealers and auction houses to mean as described but cannot
be guaranteed by the vendor as such!
Bulk Handling Centre Processing centres where
highly automated mail processing in bulk can occur.
Bulk posting / bulk mail Where prepayment has been
made to the Post Office for letters and packets posted in bulk and
generally pre-sorted into post code.
Bulk rate stamps Special low denomination adhesive
stamps for use on bulk posted mail.
Bull’s eye 1) The nickname for the 1843 first issue
of Brazil. The similar but smaller issues are called “goat’s eyes”.
Bull’s eye 2) A bull’s-eye cancel refers to a
“socked-on-the-nose” postmark with the impression centred directly
on the stamp so that the location and date of mailing are shown on
the stamp.
Bull’s eye 3) Plate marking in the form of
concentric circles with a central dot found on the selvedge of some
of the stamps with side-face portraits of Queen Victoria and later
issues.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington
officially took over production of postage stamps for the United
States government in July 1894. Between then and 2005 when the USPS
switched to private stamp printers the Bureau printed all US postage
stamps.
Bureau prints Stamps produced by the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing, Washington.
Burélage (French) 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.
Burélé (French) 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.
Burin The cutting tool of tempered steel, one end
of which is a sharp point, used for engraving on a die.
Burr The uneven raised edge of surplus metal
resulting from the passage of the engraver’s burin.
Bus parcel stamps Private stamps issued by bus
companies to prepay freight charges on packets and parcels conveyed
on bus routes.
Business reply service A service provided by a
postal operator to enable people to send mail to business firms free
of charge. The business takes out a licence and all charges are
debited to the licence holder.
By Posts These were the “feeder services” to the
six Post Roads in Great Britain in the later part of the 17th &
18th centuries.
C
CA Watermarks on early British Colonial stamps
produced through the Crown Agents (see also). These appear in
three formats – Crown CA, multiple Crown CA and multi-script CA.
Cabinet Card A term to describe a print, usually an
albumen print, no more than 6 in (unless it is an imperial cabinet
card) mounted on a cardboard back typically measuring 4½ x 6½ (110 x
170 mm). The most common way to display portraits in the late 19th
century.
Cachet (French) “stamp” or “seal”. On a
cover, the cachet is an added design or text – on a sticker, label
or printed directly on the cover – 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. For postcards,
information opposite the stamp area .
CAL Customer Advertising Label introduced by NZ
Post in 2004 as Personalised Advertising Labels.
Calender / calendering To treat paper under
pressure to impart a finish which may be smooth, dull, glazed,
surfaced or polished. It is carried out using chilled steel rollers
at the end of the manufacturing process.
Cameo Term to describe certain stamps bearing
embossed effigies which have the appearance of a cameo.
Campaign cover Envelope etc. posted by military or
naval personnel on active service in wartime.
Cancel / Cancelled / Cancellation A marking
intended to show a stamp has been used and is no longer valid as
postage or revenue purposes. 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. See also
“Date stamp”, “Postmark” and “Postal marking”. Types of
cancellations include commemorative, double, fiscal, geometrical
type, lettered, machine, manuscript, numbered, pen mark, relief,
roller and slogan (see also)
Cancelled by favour Stamps cancelled in some
special manner to oblige the purchaser.
Cancelled on front (COF) A card that has been
postmarked and cancelled, usually on a stamp, on the front.
Cancelled to Order 1) Term describing a stamp
bearing a postmark applied “by favour” where a postal official would
cancel the stamps in sheets or on covers and return them directly to
the dealer or collector.
Cancelled to Order 2) Stamps are “cancelled to
order” (CTO), 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
catalogues say whether they price CTO stamps or genuinely used
stamps.”
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.
Captain’s gratuity An additional fee over and above
the postage rate charged to recompense the ship’s Master of a
private vessel for carrying mail.
Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) A colourless
liquid which will make paper transparent without harming the gum of
mint stamps and removes oil or grease from other materials.
WARNING: Poisoning by inhalation, ingestion or skin
absorption is possible and may be fatal.
Carbon tissue Paper-backed sheet of gelatine used
in photogravure printing.
Cardboard Fine quality card of varying thickness
used for proofing impressions of stamp dies and plates.
Cardiff Penny Nickname for imperforate examples of
GB 1d red (Plate 116) of 1864 issued in Cardiff in January 1879.
Caritas (Latin) Charity.
Carnet du Timbre (French) Stamp Booklet.
Carriers’ stamps stamps used by private mail
carriers to deliver mail directly to an addressee from the post
office. When the postal service was first organized delivery of mail
was from one post office to another post office and not directly to
the addressee creating the need for private mail carriers. In the
United States, this specialized category of stamps existed mainly
from 1842 to 1860.
Carte-de-visite (CdV) An albumen print 2¼ x 3½ in (55 x 90 mm)
upon a cardboard mount 2½ x 4 in (65 x 100 mm). A
carte-de-visite was the size of a visiting card and was
traded among friends and visitors. By early 1870s,
cartes-de-visite were supplanted by “cabinet cards”, though
much later in New Zealand.
Carto philately The collection and study of stamps
incorporating maps in their designs.
Carton paper A thick semi card paper.
Cartouche Small oval or circle containing a
portrait or heraldic device.
Cartridge paper A strong rough paper occasionally
used for stamps (Trinidad 1d blue of 1853).
Cash on Delivery labels Labels issued by Post
Offices for packets on which trade charges are to be recovered from
the addressee.
Cat. Abbreviation for catalogue.
Catalogue A comprehensive book, books or similar
compilation with descriptive information to help identify stamps or
other items. Many catalogues include values for the listed items. An
auction catalogue is published by the auction firm in advance of a
planned sale to notify potential customers of the specific items
that will be offered.
Catalogue value The value of a stamp as listed in a
given catalogue [such as Scott Catalogues (in USA), Stanley Gibbons
(in the UK), Michel (in Germany), etc.] for the most common
condition in which the stamp is collected. Some catalogues list
stamps at a retail value, though actual dealer prices may vary
substantially for reasons of condition, demand or other market
factors. Most catalogues have a set minimum value for the most
common stamps. Not to be confused with a true value which may be
higher or lower based on market conditions and/or the actual
condition of the material in question. Also useful in trading when
your trading partner is willing to use the same catalogue and
edition to form an agreeable trade as they are often found in
libraries.
Catapult mail Mail accelerated by a “Ship to Shore”
service involving the use of light aircraft catapulted from the
decks of ships, when within range of shore.
CC Crown Colonies. A watermark on very early
(mostly Victorian) British Colonial stamps
CDS See “Circular date stamp”.
Celluloid A postcard with decorative additions made
from celluloid. Celluloid is a highly flammable synthetic made from
nitrocellulose and camphor.
Censor mark A manuscript endorsement, rubber stamp
impression or printed label applied during wartime to indicate that
postal matter has been opened, examined and been passed by service
or civilian censors.
Censor tape Adhesive paper used to reseal mail
which has been opened for censorship purposes.
Censored mail A cover bearing a manuscript
endorsement, handstamp or label indicating that the envelope has
been opened and the contents inspected by a censor.
Census marking A diamond shaped mark applied by
machine to all mail posted in Britain during the annual mail census.
Centre / Centring The position of a stamp design in
relation to its margins or perforations, e.g. ‘well-centred’ or
‘off-centre’. For example, well-centred implies an equal margin
between the edges of the stamp and the design. Assuming a stamp is
undamaged, centring is generally a very important factor in
determining grade and value.
Centre plate The plate which prints the centre or
vignette of a bi-coloured stamp.
Centre Term for the central feature of a stamp
design. See also “Vignette”.
Centred Term applied to stamps to show the position
of the perforations in relation to the printed design.
Certificate (of Expertisation) A certificate of a
recognised Expert or Expert Committee in their respective field
providing an opinion on the genuineness of a philatelic item. Highly
recommended for expensive material and having your own done better
insures authenticity.
Certificate of posting Form supplied with the date
of posting and retained by the sender as proof that an item has been
posted.
Certified mail A service provided by most postal
administrations that provides proof of mailing and delivery without
indemnity for loss or damage. A receipt is given to the sender and a
signature is required from the addressee on delivery.
CFA franc (French)
Communauté Financière Africaine “African Financial
Community” stands for the West African CFA franc and the Central
African CFA franc, two currencies that, even though separate, are in
practice interchangeable and which have a fixed exchange rate to the
euro. The CFA franc is used in 14 countries, 12 of which are former
French colonies. Initially, the French colonies used currencies
linked to the French franc but after independence, several countries
left the franc zone: Tunisia in 1958, Morocco in 1960, Guinea in
1959, Algeria in 1964, Madagascar and Mauritania in 1973.
Chad Round pieces of paper left after perforation
of stamps.
Chain breakers Popular name for the 1919 issues of
Yugoslavia.
Chain lines Prominent vertical lines in the
watermark found on laid paper at right angles to the fine lines.
Chairman of Jury A person selected by the
exhibition organising committee and approved by the body under whose
patronage the exhibition is being held (whether at International or
National level). The Chairman is involved in the selection and
effective management of members of the jury and the jury
secretariat.
Chalk surface
Chalk-surfaced Surface coated with a suspension of
various minerals. Applied to stamp paper either to improve the
print’s appearance or for security reasons. Papers so treated show a
black mark when the surface is rubbed with silver.
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.
Chalon Head The name given to the first NZ stamp
issue and other early British Colonial stamps, so called because it
bore a portrait of Queen Victoria originally painted by the artist A
E Chalon.
Chambon perforation The (double) H-shaped comb
perforations of NZ definitives printed by De la Rue. Chambon was the
manufacturer of all reel-fed printing presses used by the French
State Printers at Boulevard Brun in Paris.
Change of address postcards NZ post free postage
cards, have been made available since 1956 at post offices to notify
others of a change of address. In the period mid-1980s to around
2007 had various pictorial designs but in the periods before and
after that the cards were small and not pictorial.
Changeling A stamp whose colour has been
changed-intentionally or unintentionally-by contact with a chemical
or exposure to light.
Charge marks and labels Handstruck marks and
adhesive labels applied to unpaid or underpaid mail to explain the
reason for the deficiency and the amount to be paid.
Charity labels (or seals) Labels of no postal
validity sold by various charities to raise funds and affixed by
their purchasers to letters or cards.
Charity stamp A stamp bearing a premium or
surcharge with the additional charge dedicated for a charitable
purpose. Usually recognized by the presence of two (often different)
values, separated by a “+” sign, on a single stamp. (Also see
“Semi-postal”).
Charity surcharge Addition to the postage value of
stamp for a charity donation.
Check letters Letters in the lower corners of
British Stamps (1840) and on later issues repeated but in reverse
order in the upper corners. See also “Alphabet”.
Checklist Complete listings of all the cards within
a certain set, subject or publisher. Checklists usually give the
title and serial number if any, to identify the cards but also could
have descriptions of the picture side.
Cheque stamps Embossed fiscal stamps applied to
cheques from 1855 to 1971 to denote stamp duty payable on them; also
the nickname for postage stamps of Nyasaland issued in 1898.
Cherifien posts Local service of Morocco organised
by the Cherifien Administration in 1911 linking most of the main
towns.
Cherry blossoms Name for Japanese Stamps of
1872-1874.
Chief Post Office The principal post office in a
postal district.
Chiffre Taxe (French) Postage Due.
China paper A waterleaf paper imported from China.
Chinese Treaty Ports Seaports on the coast of China
which were opened to British trade as a result of the Treaty of
Nanking in 1842.
Chops Seals or handstamps bearing ideographs or
Japanese characters.
Christmas charity post stamps Stamps issued by
Scout, Youth and Church groups in Britain since 1981, since when it
is permitted for charities to deliver Christmas & New Year Cards
between 25 November and 1 January.
Christmas Mail Scheme operated by the British Post
Office whereby mail could be posted in advance for delivery on
Christmas Day. In use from 1902 to 1904.
Christmas seals Invented by Einar Holboell are
labels placed on mail during the Christmas season to raise funds and
awareness for charitable programs. They have become particularly
associated with lung diseases such as tuberculosis, and with child
welfare. Christmas seals are regarded as a form of Cinderella in
contrast with Christmas stamps used for postage.
Chrome Postcards (American term) Any card after
1939 with a shiny paper surface. The term is derived from
Kodachrome. These are modern glossy cards. Chrome refers to a
process used to make the cards. The chrome cards were first
published in the 1940’s and continue to be published today.
Chromolithography / Chromo / Chromo Litho A
printing method, the first capable of producing multi-colour prints
and prevailed on postcards published in the late 1800s and early
1900s. Based on lithography it used print blocks (originally stone
slabs) onto which an image was drawn using an oil based medium.
There was one block (or stone) for each colour. A chemical process
etched away the oil free parts of the block leaving the image part
for the given colour raised above the surface. The card would be
printed in multiple impressions, each block adding another colour
layer. The best examples being developed by German printers. There
were no ‘dots’ on the image as the colour was applied in solid
blocks. The cards have a rich, deep colour with a shiny surface. Not
to be confused with Chrome postcards which refers to glossy
Kodachrome postcards.
Cigarette paper Very thin paper meant for rolling
cigarettes but used by Latvia for a stamp issue in 1919.
Cigarette tax stamps Revenue stamps indicating a
Government tax on cigarettes.
Cinderella A stamp-like label without an official
postal value or use. Cinderellas include seals, local post issues
and other similar items but are not generally considered to be bogus
or fake stamps but fall more into the category of “Artistamps”.
Cinderella exhibit A National (non-FIP) class of
exhibit comprised primarily of “Cinderellas” (see also).
Circular date stamp (CDS) A form of postmark
produced by a single or combined circle incorporating the date and
place of posting.
Circular delivery companies Operating in Great
Britain between 1865 and 1869, these private companies undertook
local delivery of circulars and printed matter at rates which were
lower than the Post office.
Circular delivery stamps Stamps issued by circular
delivery companies.
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.
Cleaned plate A cleaned printing surface. Alkaline
solutions are used to clean plates to produce stamps with sharper
impressions.
Cleaned stamp A stamp from which a postal or fiscal
marking or a blemish has been removed.
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 A single electrotype, the individual unit
consisting of the design of a single stamp, combined with others to
make up the complete printing plate (e.g. ½d Newspaper stamp).
Individual designs on modern one-piece printing plates are referred
to as subjects.
Clipped transfer In lithography the transfers are
of paper and may require trimming before laying on the stone. If
trimmed too close on one or more sides a clipped transfer will
result.
CMF Central Mediterranean Force WW2
Coated paper Any paper with a mineral composition
deposited on its surface after manufacture.
COD Cash on Delivery
Coffee house mail For over 150 years coffee houses
acted as an important mail exchange centres.
Cogwheel cancel Circular numbered obliteration used
by Bavaria 1850-69 so called on account of the ratchet projections
surrounding the numerals.
Coil dispenser box In New Zealand, a retail ‘box’
containing a single roll of 100 self-adhesive stamps.
Coil join Pair of coil stamps linked by a narrow
strip of marginal paper or tab, the coil being made up of rows from
sheets.
Coil leader Strip of paper at the beginning of a
coil of stamps that facilitates the loading of a stamp vending
machine.
Coil Stamps, gummed and self-adhesive, processed in
a long single row and prepared for sale in rolls, often for
dispensing from stamp-vending and affixing machines. Some coils have
a straight edge on two parallel sides and perforations on the
remaining two parallel sides. Some coils are back-printed with
sequence or counting numbers. Stamps from a roll of stamps generally
collected in pairs or strips. See also “Line pairs”, “Plate number
coils”, “Counter coil”, “Coil dispenser box”, Counter machine” and
“Stamp vending machine”.
Coil trailer A piece of paper adhering to the edge
of the last stamp on a roll.
Coin Daté (French) Date of printing found
on corner blocks of stamps from complete sheets.
Coin machine see “Stamp vending machine”.
Co-incidental re-entry When a re-entry is carried
out, a co-incidental re-entry occurs when the new impression
coincides with the old. The evidence of a co-incidental
re-entry is provided by a general strengthening and thickening of
the design. See “re-entry”.
Colis Postaux (French) “Parcel post”. A
category of International Mail that includes packages of merchandise
or any other articles not required to be mailed at letter postage
rate.
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 non-postal
(maps, photos of scenes appearing on stamps).
College stamps Name for issues made by Oxford and
Cambridge colleges for their messenger services in the 1870s and
1880s.
Collotype A photo-mechanically printed image made
from a photographic image using gelatine images of photographs. This
process produced an extremely fine and delicate grain, and was
favoured by publishers who wanted a means of reproduction that
emulated the appearance of an actual photograph.
Colonial Treasurer’s Department frank free postage
“Government Department printed frank” (see also). Three versions of
similar design used 1873-1883, while a fourth different design was
introduced 1884.
Colophon A publisher’s emblem or trademark
Colour changeling The original colour has been
changed accidentally or deliberately by the action of light, water
or chemicals.
Colour guide Usual form is a folding card on which
the philatelic colours as used in a stamp catalogue are shown.
Colour of stamps Different denominations of stamps
are generally printed in different colours as postal clerks often
distinguish the colour more readily than the value. The actual
colour of a stamp may vary, and while collectors will pay high
prices for rare shades, it may not be easy to tell those apart from
variations caused by age, light, chemicals, and other factors. Stamp
colours are routinely described by colour name rather with any sort
of numerical system like CMYK (refers to the four inks used in some
colour printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key [black]); several
colour guides showing a selection of colours have been produced.
Colour postmark Postmark applied in a colour other
than black.
Colour proof Proofs made in the adopted colour or
colours.
Colour Separation Separating the stamp by colours
to make negatives and plates for colour printing. The four-colour
process requires four separations cyan, magenta, yellow and black
(CMYK)
Colour shift Where the design of the stamp has more
than one colour and these are applied at different times in the
process of printing and the positioning of the colours is incorrect
in relation to the intended design.
Colour The characteristics which give rise to the
visual sensation of hue and brightness. There are three attributes
to colour “hue or tone”; “saturation”; and, “luminosity” (see also).
Colour trials Proof impressions in various colours
submitted by the printer to enable the selection of a suitable
colour.
Coloured paper Paper which is coloured right
through during the manufacturing process.
Coloured roulette Lines of slits between rouletted
stamps in colour from printing on the notched rules between the
clichés.
Column The vertical line of stamps in a sheet as
distinguished from a horizontal row.
Comb perforation In a comb machine the parts are
similar to those in a line machine but, in addition to the long row
of pins and holes, there are short rows at right angles to the long
rows. A comb machine perforates three sides of each stamp in a
row at each operation. It is usual for the holes in the short
rows to be in alignment with holes in the long rows thus producing a
characteristic of the corners of stamps to be distinguished from
that of a line machine. Some sets of comb heads used for New
Zealand stamps have not conformed to the usual pattern. These
were the 12½ of 1864-66; the 12 x 11½ of 1878-95 and the 13½ x 14
used for some values of the 1935 pictorials. See also “Double comb”
and “Triple comb” and compare with “Line perforation”.
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 cancelled at two different times on the same cover as a
souvenir.
Combined stamp Circular date stamp combining an
obliterating element with the name and date of posting.
Comic A humorous postcard.
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 issued to commemorate a
person, achievement, event or anniversary and sold for a limited
period. The 1½d pictorial of 1900 and the Penny Universal were
associated with events but were on sale for long periods during
which they were the only stamps of those values. Hence, they
are classed as “definitive” (see also).
Commemorative cancel / cancellation A postmark
either hand struck or applied by machine with special inscription to
indicate that it is associated with the commemoration of an event.
Commissioner A person, appointed for a country,
whose primary task is to obtain exhibits from exhibitors living in
that country and transporting them to and from the exhibition and to
be the point of contact between those exhibitors and the exhibition
organising committee. At FIP and Continental Federation exhibitions
the commissioner’s duties are defined in the “GREX” (see also) and
each country is likely to have specific requirements for any
Commissioners they appoint. For example, see “Guidelines for New
Zealand Commissioners”.
Commissioner-General A person appointed by an
exhibition organising committee with the responsibility of providing
the contact between the committee and the commissioners appointed by
invited countries; for facilitating arrangements for the
commissioners within the host country (e.g. transport,
accommodation, customs, etc.); and, managing the commissioners’
official duties at the exhibition.
Community Post envelopes Community Post is a
community investment programme for NZ Post. Postage-included
envelopes and other NZ Post services are donated to not-for-profit
organisations for use with projects and activities.
Compartment lines Irregular lines outside the
printed area of stamps occurring in letterpress plates where
extraneous metal (flashing) has not been removed in the
manufacturing and therefore picks up ink during printing.
Composite (1) A series of postcards which when
assembled together form a larger picture. More commonly called an
“instalment set”.
Composite (2) A photograph with two separate images
printed on the same card (photo paper).
Composite die Block of metal bearing part of a
stamp design with a space for insertion of a separate piece of metal
carrying the remainder.
Composite sheet A sheet of stamps made up of
different values, designs or a normal sheet overprinted or
surcharged in a similar way enabling a complete set of stamps to be
obtained from a single sheet.
Compound envelopes Stationery bearing more than one
kind of stamp embossed thereon.
Compound perforations These result when two line or
rotary machines are used on the same sheet. However, in
practice the name compound is applied only when the machines used in
combination have different gauges. The most usual combination
is for one machine to be used for the horizontal; perforations and
the other for the vertical. It is not uncommon to find NZ
stamps with holes of one gauge on three sides and another gauge on
one side. These are sometimes described as “irregular compound
perforations”.
Compound plates Printing plates each bearing only
part of the design which are cut in such a way that they can be
inked separately.
Compulsory postage stamps See “postal tax stamp”.
Compulsory registration A practice used by many
postal authorities when coins, jewellery or other valuables are sent
through the post.
Computer generated stamps Labels whose design and
text are entirely produced by a printer from a computer.
Concentration camp mail Most often seen from the
concentration camps established by the Nazi regime in Germany and
occupied Europe, are distinguished by special postmarks, stationery
and stamps.
Concessionary parcel stamps Stamps issued by Italy
since 1953 and used by carriers and freight companies operating
local parcel delivery services at rates lower than the Government
service.
Concordance A term to describe a state or condition
of agreement or harmony. In philately, concordance is most commonly
used in maximaphily to describe the desirable relationship between
the image on the postcard, the stamp and the postmark.
Condition – postcardsRefers to the physical
condition of the postcard. Terms used are Mint, Near Mint,
Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.
Condition – philatelic Positive condition factors
include fresh full colour, full original gum on unused stamps, and
so on. Damage such as creases, tears, thinned paper, short
perforation teeth, toning and so on negatively affects condition.
Condominium A Territory over which there is joint
rule by two Powers. An example of this is the Anglo – French New
Hebrides Condominium whose stamps are inscribed in English and
French.
Confetti variety Stamp with a circular uncoloured
patch in the design. (Usually only on a random single stamp).
Constant variety A variety which appears in the
same position on every sheet.
Consular fee stamps Fiscal issues to pay fees
levied for various consular services e.g. passport renewals.
Consular mail Mail sent from Consulates acting as
postal agencies often using a distinctive cancellation.
Consular post offices Post Offices maintained in
foreign embassies and consulates by various European powers.
Consultant See also “Co-ordinator”.
Continental Federation FIP country members are
divided into three Continental Federations which are classed as
Associate Members of FIP – Europe (see “Federation of European
Philatelic Associations” [FEPA]), Americas (see “Federaciȯn InterAmericana de Filatelica“ [FIAF]) and Asia (see “Federation of Inter-Asia Philately”
[FIAP])
Continental size is a postcard size of
approximately 4 x 6 in (100 x 150 mm).
Continuous impression machine Post marking machine
which made a running pattern of town-date marks interrupted by wavy
lines obliterating right across the top of the envelope
Continuous overprint An overall overprint applied
without regard to positioning on the individual stamps in a sheet.
Contract mailing A procedure where mail posted in a
country is air freighted to another country for sorting and onward
despatch.
Control letters Letter inscribed in the sheet
margins of some British stamps as an accountancy measure.
Control marks Security endorsement by overprint
etc. to curb theft.
Control numbers Numerals engraved in the margins of
plates used for the production of stamps in certain countries.
Control overprints Overprints applied to stamps as
a precaution in cases of fraud or theft.
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 fulfilment, or other similar
postal use.
Convention States Indian States formerly in
convention with the Indian Empire.
Co-ordinator or Consultant. A person appointed by
the body under whose patronage the exhibition is being held (whether
at International or National level) whose role is to provide
guidance and, where required approval, to ensure the exhibition is
run in compliance with the overarching rules governing it (in the
case of FIP exhibitions the “GREX”, in NZ the “Approved Regulations
for National Philatelic Exhibitions”).
Copper plate engraving Alternative name for the
intaglio process, so called because copper plates were mainly used.
Copy A single stamp.
Copyright block Block of four or more US stamps
with the copyright notice marginal marking of the USPS. The
copyright marking was introduced in 1978 and replaced the Mail Early
marking.
Cork cancel Corks, often with various fancy designs
cut into their surface (see “fancy cancels”) used to obliterate
postage stamps.
Corner block Four or more stamps from the corner of
a sheet with selvedge attached.
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.
Cotton reels The first (1850) circular typeset
issues of British Guiana.
Coulles, Somerville, Wilkie 1935 pictorials plates
Counter appliance A machine with compartments to
hold rolls of stamps and used by post office counter clerks.
The appliance made it easier and quicker to remove a small number of
stamps (often only a single copy) from a roll rather than from a
block.
Counter-coil Stamps from normal sheets made up in
coil form and sold from post office counter appliances. A
sequential number was printed on the selvedge at the end of each row
or column of stamps that enabled the counter clerks to easily
determine the number of stamps left in the appliance.
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.
Counterfoil Stamps with counterfoils as distinct
from coupons.
Country issues Term used by Royal Mail to describe
the distinctive definitives issued in different parts of the UK. See
also “Regional Stamps”.
Coupon An attachment to a stamp which conveys
additional information.
Courier services Special services operated by
various governments for the transmission of official correspondence
and armed forces’ mail or mail of commercial enterprises.
Court Card Between 1894 and 1899 British postcards
were ‘court sized’. British postal authorities limited by law the
size of privately published postcards to be of similar size to those
that they published (and smaller than the cards published by other
European nations). Court-sized cards were 4½ × 3½ in (115 × 90 mm).
Cover Usually refers to an envelope of postal
stationery but also to other forms of outer material in which mail
has been enclosed for conveyance by post (excluding bags and
hampers) and including a letter sheet (see also) bearing postal
markings.
Cowan paper Alex Cowan & Sons Ltd, paper makers
supplied various types of paper, both watermarked and un-watermarked
for stamps printed at the Government Printing Office.
Cowries Nickname for the first stamps of Uganda
(1895).
CP See “Colis Postaux”.
Cracked plate Printing plate showing cracks caused
by pressure in manufacture, during operation or general
deterioration after long usage. Consequently a term used to describe
stamps which show evidence that the plate from which they were
printed was cracked.
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.
Crazing These are the tiny cracks and fractures you
many times see in the emulsion or the top layer of a card.
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.
Creased stamps Stamps with a crease which
depreciates their value.
Creased transfer Lithographed stamp with an
incomplete or distorted design caused by a defect in the transfer
paper when the design was applied to the stone.
Credit Line This term refers to the information
giving the publisher’s name and location, serial number or any other
information which gives details about the card. Process information
such as Oilette used by Tuck & Sons’, Series Numbers, Titles and
dates may be included in the credit line. This information is
usually seen at the left edge, centre or bottom of the address side.
Credit Stamps Revenue stamps issued to denote some
monetary or fiscal credit in favour of the purchaser his principal
or assignee. See also “tax stamps” and “fee stamps”.
Credit Stamps Revenue stamps issued to denote some
monetary or fiscal credit in favour of the purchaser his principal
or assignee. See also “tax stamps” and “fee stamps”.
Critique The written report containing the jury’s
analysis and assessment of an exhibit against the criteria described
in the SREVs for the appropriate exhibit class.
Critique at the frame A verbal critique given by a
juror to the exhibitor in front of their exhibit. This enables
expansion on the written “critique” (see also) by showing specific
examples and suggestions on how the exhibit might be improved.
Cross hatching Crossed lines incised in intaglio to
create shaded areas.
Cross Post When the postal service was organised in
Great Britain all routes went via London, but to avoid delay direct
cross country routes were adopted and were known as Cross Posts.
Crown Agents An entity which acted for Governments
of many territories including the production and sale of stamps.
Crown watermark Watermark in the form of a crown.
Crowned circle A type of marking issued by the
British Post Office to colonial offices and used to indicate that
postal charges had been paid and the country or postal area of
origin. The marking was in the form of a broken circle with a crown
let in at the top.
CTO Cancelled to order
Culler Facer Canceller A machine used in sorting
offices for segregating different classes of mail, facing them the
right way up and automatically cancelling the postage stamps.
Currency stamps Postage stamps used as units of
currency during shortages of coinage, sometimes deliberately printed
on card for this purpose.
Current issues Stamps at present in use.
Current numbers Numbers inserted in the plate
margins by some British and early colonial stamps to indicated the
order in which the plates were made.
Customer Advertising Label See “CAL”
Customised Smilers sheets See “Smilers Sheets”.
Customs stamps Fiscal issues made to denote payment
of customs duty.
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 US
postage stamps to prevent reuse.
Cut edge variety Denotes a stamp printed from a
cliché from which a portion has been accidentally cut away in
trimming.
Cut out A non-adhesive stamp cut from postal
stationery. The postal regulations permitted un-cancelled copies to
be fixed to mail. A stamp cut from a registered envelope was
restricted to a registered article.
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-register The cutting of watermarked paper in
order that the design of the watermark falls into the correct
position in each sheet of stamps.
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”, is a
cut-to-shape stamp.
Cyclostyle Apparatus for printing copies of a
design which has been occasionally been used for stamp production. A
stencil is cut over which an ink roller is passed leaving an
impression on the printing paper below.
Cylinder The printing base used in the production
of stamps by the rotary photogravure process.
Cylinder block See “plate block”
Cylinder flaw Repetitive blemish in a stamps design
caused by a defect in the printing cylinder from which the stamp was
printed.
Cylinder marking Includes a figure, letter or
combination of the two used to identify a printing cylinder, the
printer’s imprint, registration mark, bar or arrow.
Cylinder number Letters/numerals in sheet margins
identifying printing cylinders. Normally collected in a ‘Cylinder
block’. See ‘Plate number’.
Cylinder plate The part of a printing press to
which a plate is attached and which transfers the inked image to
either a rubber blanket (as in offset lithography) or directly to
the substrate itself (as in letterpress)
Cyrillic alphabet Official alphabet of Russia which
has been used with modifications on all Russian issues and has
appeared also on stamps of various Slav countries.
D
Damaged mail Mail damaged in transit including
crash and wreck covers.
Dandy roll Hollow wire-surfaced cylinder or roller
of a paper making machine covered with wire gauze, which bears upon
the mould of a paper-making machine to produce an even textured
product. Watermark bits are attached to the gauze of the
roller and produce the watermark in the paper by impression.
Datapost Name used by British Post office for an
express service guaranteeing next day delivery anywhere in the
United Kingdom.
Date cuts Breaks in the “jubilee lines”, namely the
printer’s frame around a pane of stamps.
Date stamp 1) The instrument used to indicate the
date of a transaction. It is usual for the name of the office to be
included and some include a pictorial design. It is used to
cancel postage and fiscal stamps.
Date stamp 2) The impression made by a date stamp.
Dated corner See Coin Daté.
Dated stamps Stamps which incorporate the year date
of production in their design.
Davies John Davies, who had been employed by
Perkins, Bacon & Co, was the NZ Government Stamp Printer from
February 1862 to 1869. He supervised the printing of all
stamps during that period and designed the ½d Newspaper stamp.
Day of the stamp Day set aside by many issuing
authorities for postal and philatelic publicity.
De La Rue
De La Rue Printer Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd a
firm of security printers founded in 1821. In 1855 it started
printing postage stamps and in 1860 it began printing banknotes. It
was associated with the production of NZ stamps for many
years. Although they have acted as agents for the supply of
paper, they were not manufacturers and it is incorrect to relate
their name to any paper.
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.
Dead letter Letter which cannot be delivered to the
addressee because it bears an incorrect or inadequate address.
Dead letter office Where dead letters (see also)
are held by the Post Office.
Deckle edge 1) The natural rough edge of paper as
it leaves a paper making machine.
Deckle edge 2) A jagged edge designed around the
photograph, most popular from the 1930s-1950s.
Découpage French term denoting a means of adjusting
the pressure of the printing plate by “cut outs” from parts of the
printed design taking the form of a composite layer of sheets of cut
outs to obtain lighter or deeper impression from the plate as
required.
Deep edge Excessive colour along the edge of a
stamp design printed in relief caused by over inking.
Deep etching Additional etching in photoengraving
to emphasise lines.
Defaced plates A stamp printing plate whose surface
has been deliberately scored to ensure it is not used again.
Deferential cancellation Postmark designed that
when stamp was cancelled the effigy of the ruler was not defaced
e.g. Sicily 1859
Definitive stamp Postage stamps intended for
everyday use over a substantial period of time, distinguished from
commemorative stamps (see also).
Delacryl Name invented by De La Rue to signify a
printing process made specifically for stamp production.
Delayed mail Mail held up in transmission through
the post and thus indicated by means of a label. See also
“Interrupted mail”.
Deliberate error Error made by a postal authority
to defeat philatelic speculation.
Delivery point A delivery point is a single mailbox
or other place at which mail is delivered. It differs from a street
address, in that each address may have several delivery points (e.g.
an apartment). The delivery point digits are almost never printed on
mail in human readable form; instead they are encoded. This makes
automated mail sorting possible, including ordering the mail
according to how the carrier delivers it (walk sequence).
Deltiology Term for the study of postcards from the
Greek word Deltion (small pictures or cards) and
Logos (study) term was first used by Randall Rhodes of
Ashland, Ohio in 1945.
Demonetized Stamps which, by official decree, are
no longer valid for the payment of postal or revenue charges.
Denomination The face value of a stamp, usually
indicated by numerals or words printed as part of the design. Some
modern stamps produced for rate changes are denominated with a
letter. A numerical value is assigned when the letter stamps are
issued. See also “Semi-postal”, “Surcharge”.
Departmental stamps Stamps provided for use of
government departments on official mail.
Design (1) The artist’s drawing or other form of
original to indicate the general features of a proposed stamp.
Design (2) The printed portion of a stamp.
Design type Term describing stamps whose designs
differ from one another only in detail.
Designated postal operator The entity (normally the
public postal service) defined by the UPU that is responsible for
the postal operations of a country. This involves the execution of
domestic and international postal services to include the receipt,
transportation and delivery of authorized classes of mail,
specialized mailing services, the operation of postal facilities and
the sale of postage, philatelic materials and mailing supplies.
Often referred to as a postal administration or postal authority.
Desulphurisation Process by which sulphur is
removed from stamp colours which have been distorted through
sulphuretting.
Deutsche Post (German) The Deutsche Post AG,
successor to Deutsche Bundepost, is a German postal service and
international courier company, the world’s largest. The Express
division (DHL), a wholly owned subsidiary, provides services in 220
countries.
Development exhibit An exhibit in a New Zealand
(non-FIP) class for novice exhibitors. It includes an 8-page class
for first time adult or youth exhibitors and a 1- or 2-frame
class. The objective is to encourage people to ‘have a go’ at
exhibiting, increase the number of potential exhibitors and,
frequently, the resulting exhibits are of interest to the general
public as they are often better understood than the top-ranking
exhibits.
Diadem The circlet of gold and jewels forming Queen
Victoria’s headdress on many of the earlier stamps of her reign and
that of Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond roulette Another name for the French
Percé en Losanges (see also)
Diapering Diaper is any of a wide range of
decorative patterns used in a variety of works of art, including, in
philately for the background of the NZ KGV definitive issue. A white
diamond or white cloth is used on the diagonal, hence the diagonal
lattice or reticulation in patterning.
Dickinson paper Type of paper containing a
continuous coloured thread or threads of cotton manufactured by John
Dickinson & Co.
Die A piece of metal [or wood (½d Newspaper stamp)]
with a smooth, flat surface on which the whole or portion of a
design is engraved in recess or in relief. The piece of metal on
which the design of a stamp is first engraved is called the master
die (see also).
After hardening reproductions of the die are transferred to a steel
roller, when recess or relief steel or recess copper plates are
required, or to lead or other soft material for the production of
electrotypes or stereotypes. Where a common design is used for
several denominations, it is usual to prepare a die in which the
value inscription is omitted. An impression is taken on a transfer
roller which is then used to lay down subsidiary dies upon which the
value inscriptions are engraved. There have been some instances
where the original die (1d second side face), transfer roller (1935
2/- pictorial) or subsidiary dies (1935 1d pictorial) have been
retouched.
Die Cut Any paper cut by the publisher generally
into a shape other than a rectangle, such as the shape of an angel,
Santa, or animal.
Die Cut Hold to Light See “Hold to light”.
Die cutting A process for cutting paper or card by
means of variously shaped dies under pressure. When used for
self-adhesive stamps the edged tool (die) completely penetrates only
the stamp paper on all sides of the printed stamp, making the
removal of the individual stamps from the liner possible.
Die flaw Any blemish or unusual mark on a die from
which printing surfaces have been produced shows on every stamp
reproduced from that die.
Die proof Upon completion of a die, trial printings
are taken. They are the final checks before the plate is made. See
also “Proof”.
Dienst (German) Official.
Dienstpost (German) Official post
Digital printing A process pioneered in Australia
where arrangements were made for 2000 Olympic Stamps to be printed
in six different locations throughout the country.
Diligencia (Spanish) A type of mail or
stage coach.
Diplomatic mail Mail sent by or on behalf of a
Diplomat Attaché in the Diplomatic Bag for security reasons. See
also “Consular”.
Directional marking A mark applied by a post office
to undelivered mail to indicate its ultimate destination. Most
frequently the item is returned to the sender with the mark
indicating a failed delivery attempt stating the reason for failure.
Examples are “No Such Number”, “Address Un-known” and “Moved.”
Discount postage Stamps printed to denote sale at a
discount.
Disinfected mail Letters suspected of carrying
infection from disease were subject to a cleansing treatment either
on board ship or at a lazaret (quarantine station).
Divided back The earliest postcards carried the
recipient’s address and postage stamp on one side and the message
was written on the ‘picture’ side. Such cards are known as undivided
back postcards. In 1902 Great Britain introduced the divided back, a
picture on one side and a divided space on the other side for both
the recipient’s address and sender’s message. The transition from
undivided to divided back took many years as postal authorities
around the world adopted similar standards; 1904 in France, 1905
Germany, 1907 in the USA, and so on. In New Zealand this
depended on where the postcard was being sent to. Divided back cards
would be sent to Australia from Jan 1905, to Italy and Holland from
Dec 1905, to Belgium, Canada, Mexico and Thailand from March 1906,
to most countries except USA and Japan from April 1906, and to most
countries except Japan from October 1906 and to just about
everywhere from Dec 1906. The reason for this is that the receiving
country decided if divided back cards would be accepted or not. This
helps to date unused postcards. Cards before these dates have
undivided backs.
Dividing marks Circular floral ornaments on
Perkins, Bacon plates in 1851.
Dockwra mark Triangular handstruck mark denoting
the prepayment of postage, devised by William Dockwra for use in his
London Penny Post of 1680/82.
Doctor blade flaw A flaw caused by the doctor blade
picking up a foreign body which scratches a fine line on the
cylinder. Until worked out this can cause a semi constant flaw. In
general, appears as a straight coloured or uncoloured line which is
not part of the design.
Doctor blade, doctor knife, docteur knife Terms
used by different printers, referring to the long thin flexible
strip of steel with a finely ground edge (blade) used in
photogravure and other intaglio printing processes. The doctor blade
removes excess ink from the non-printing surface.
Document Philatelique Official (French)
“Official philatelic document” issued by the French post office
which includes a copy of the issued stamp cancelled on the day of
issue, a mono-colour engraving of the stamp, descriptive text and a
large topical engraving with an embossed control seal.
Documentary stamps Fiscal or revenue stamps issued
for collecting payment of taxes due on various documents.
Dog team mail Mail carried in the Yukon and Alaska
by Dog Teams during the Winter.
Domestic mail Mail posted and delivered within the
same country
Domestic stamp A postage stamp whose validity is
confined to domestic mail.
Dominical labels Labels attached to Belgian stamps
from 1893 – 1914 bearing an instruction “Do not deliver on Sunday”
Doplata (Russian) To Pay
Douane (French) Customs
Double backed An additional layer of backing
usually found on heavily embossed postcards which helped the sender
in writing their message.
Double cancellation The use of, in a hand
instrument, a date stamp and an obliterator conjoined.
Double comb perforation Machines cut the
perforation on one row of stamps and on three sides of each stamp of
an adjacent row at each operation. See “Comb perforation” and
“Triple comb perforation”.
Double Geneva The 1843 Cantonal issue of Geneva
(Switzerland) so called because it consisted of a 10c stamp printed
in a double design, each half useable as a 5c stamp within the city.
Double impression A stamp on which the design or
part of the design has been printed twice. Could also apply to an
overprint (see also) or a surcharge (see also). Examples are found
in the 1935 pictorials and the issues with portraits of George VI
and Elizabeth II of stamps with one inked and one albino
impression. Some of these varieties have the coloured
impression blurred. It is believed these are due to the albino
impression preceding the coloured and reducing the absorbability of
the paper.
Double letter Duplication of the corner or check
letters on early GB line engraved stamps.
Double paper When rolls of paper are used in the
printing press, just before one roll is exhausted the end is gummed
onto the beginning of the new roll. Stamps are printed on the
overlap, but it is usual practice to mark the sheet clearly with the
inscription WASTE and to destroy it. There have been a few
instances where sheets with the join have been issued at post
offices. Stamps printed on the overlap have the paper doubled.
For example New Zealand Chalon Head (1858-62). See also “Coil join”,
“Joined paper”.
Double perforations (1) When line or rotary
machines are used there can be an accidental second operation of the
machine when the sheets of stamps have moved only a short distance
with the result that there are two rows of perforations close
together. In most instances of NZ stamps, these varieties were
due to the incorrect or defective execution of the first operation
of the machine. The same machine or one with the same gauge
was used to place a new row or rows in the correct position or
positions to rectify the defect.
Double perforations (2) Varieties with double
perforations may also be found when comb machines have been
employed. In some, there is a clear doubling of the holes on three
sides. There have been instances (1½d and 1/- Peace and 2d
Marlborough) where, because of a fault in the stepping of the head,
a strike on the selvedge has been mis-placed so that a row of stamps
shows doubling of holes cut by the short rows.
Double plate printed Term to describe the method by
which a stamp with a design comprising two parts each printed from a
separate plate was produced.
Double print There are only two NZ stamps – the
1900 6d pictorial and ½d Peace – which competent authorities
consider were printed twice from inked plates. In both cases
one print was clear and the other paler in colour and less
distinct. The 2d blue, 1d brown and 2d vermillion FFQs; the ½d
Newspaper; 1906 3d pictorial; and the 1d Universal Royle plates
which have been described as double prints are believed to be
examples of Kiss prints (see also).
Double sensitive The quality of bright rosine ink
used for the first supplied of the 1d George VI. This ink was
unusually sensitive to light, hear, water and chemicals. Steam
changed the colour to brownish-orange. Shades from pale salmon
to deep brown are chemical changelings.
Double separation Sheet or part of a sheet which
has been perforated twice.
Double strike An extra, fortuitous impression of
the die on the mould used in relief printing for repetition of the
design in the building of the printing base. Examples are found in
the first NZ postage dues.
Double transfer An extra and fortuitous transfer of
the design to the stone in the Lithographic process. See also
“Re-Entry”.
Double-lined Associated with the NZ and star
watermark in Pirie and Basted Mills paper.
Downey Head British halfpenny and penny stamps of
1911/13 reproducing a three-quarter profile photograph by W and D
Downey of King George V.
Downstream access (DSA) is mail that has been
collected and distributed by a competitor, but is handed over to the
designated postal operator for final processing onto local delivery
offices, where they are delivered.
Downstream access Mail from other carriers
delivered by Royal Mail
DO-X International registration mark of the German
Dornier multi-engine aircraft which was the first to fly the
Atlantic from West to East in 1932.
DP “Discount postage”, “Delivery point”
Drop letter A postal packet delivered to an address
in the same postal delivery area as the office where it was posted.
Dropped letter Term for a type character plucked
from its setting by the inking roller because the type was not held
firmly in place on the formé.
Dry print A stamp having a weak appearance due to
paper being too dry for the intaglio process.
Dry printing Begun as an experiment in 1953, this
type of printing results in a whiter paper, a higher sheen on the
surface, a thicker and stiffer feel and designs that stand out more
clearly than on more standard “wet” printings.
Dual currency Stamps with values expressed in two
currencies.
Duck stamp Popular name for the US Migratory Bird
Hunting and Conservation stamp, issued for use on hunting licenses
annually depicting waterfowl. Similar stamps are issued by various
states in the US and are issued in other countries e.g. New Zealand
and Canada.
Dues Philatelic term for postage due labels. See
also “To Pay labels”.
Dumb cancels Absence of identifying inscription
found in various forms on cancellations and in stamp design. See
also “Mute cancellation”.
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 favour 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.
Duplicate An additional copy of a stamp that one
already has in a collection. Beginners often consider stamps to be
duplicates that really are not, because they overlook perforation,
watermark or colour varieties.
Duty plate The printing plate used to print the
value or name and value on stamps. See also “Frame”, “Vignette”,
“Head plate”, “Key plate”.
Duty Term given to the function of a stamp as
defined by the inscription.
Dyed paper Paper coloured throughout because a dye
was added to the pulp during manufacture.
E
E Mail A system of electronic communication whereby
messages produced by computer are transmitted by means of a modem
and a server.
Earliest known use (EKU) The cover or piece that
documents the earliest date on which a stamp or postal stationery
item is known to be used. New discoveries can change an established
EKU. The EKU for a classic issue may be after the official issue
date. Because of accidental early sales, the EKU for modern stamps
is often several days before the official first day.
Early Any card issued before the divided back was
introduced.
Easter seal Charity labels issued at Easter, mainly
in South Africa.
Economy A cheap postal service for bulk postings
and printed matter.
Economy gum Type of gum applied in patterns or
blobs to the backs of some stamps issued after WWII.
Economy label Used during war period to be applied
to covers that were to be re-used.
Edwardian Postcards dating from the era of King
Edward VII who reigned from 1902 until his death in 1910. Often
referred to as the golden age of postcards.
EKU Earliest known use
Electric eye perforator A perforating machine which
includes a controlling device to ensure that the perforation holes
are positioned accurately.
Electro-mechanical engraving Process for producing
photogravure cylinders by laser scanning an original photograph to
create a digital image recorded on a computer disc which is then
used to drive an electronic system for engraving cylinders.
Electronic postmark An electronic time and date
stamp on electronic mail that will authenticate a document’s
existence at a particular point in time. Compare with “Postmark”
Electronic stamps A system whereby postage could be
downloaded from an internet web site and put on envelopes and
postcards using a computer printer.
Electrotype impression Also called ‘electros’
Electrotyping Method of copying a design by the
electro deposition of copper in a mould.
Electrotyping, electrotype, electro Moulds of some
pliable substance such as lead, wax or gutta-percha receive
impressions from a die, are given a coating of blacklead and are
then suspended in a bath in which there is a solution containing
copper sulphate. An electric current causes electrolysis of
the solution resulting in a copper deposit on the mould. When
the deposit is of sufficient thickness it is stripped from the mould
and backed with type metal. The electrotypes thus produced can
be either clichés or a composite group up to the size required for a
plate.
ELSIE Electronic Letter Sorting Indicator Equipment
(SPLSM)
Emblems Name given to watermarked heraldic devices
appearing in corners of early stamps of GB.
Embossed Postcards that have designs slightly
raised above the card’s surface. Heavily embossed postcards have
almost a papier-mâché look that stands greatly above the surface.
Often an embossed card will also have other novelty effects applied.
Mainly used in greeting type cards.
Embossed stamp Usually a postage stamp created on
paper by method of embossing.
Embossing A process used to print a stamp generally
on envelopes. The method that was used in the NZ Government
Printing Office involved the engraving of a relief steel die which
was then impressed upon an embossing board to produce a mould which
took the place of a recess die. This was then used with the
relief steel die.
Embroidered Postcards with embroidery added often
forming the image.
Emulsion The photosensitive coating, usually of
silver halide grains in a thin gelatin layer, on photographic film,
paper, or glass.
En Épargne (French) “in
relief” used to describe the type of printing press used in the
letterpress system.
Enamel ink A paint used for printing stamps e.g.
Tibet 1912-33
Enamelled paper Highly glazed paper coated with a
mixture of “zinc white” and glue.
Encased postage stamp A stamp inserted into a small
coin-size case with a transparent front or back. Such stamps were
circulated as legal coins during periods when coins were scarce.
Endorsement Printing on the back of a stamp.
Engine-turning Intricate geometrical designs
engraved on a die or plate by means of a special machine. The
background of the FFQs is an example. Others are found on the
selvedge of some values of the 1935 pictorials and in the gutter
between panes of some sheets of the 1/- and 1/6 and of all sheets of
the 1/9 Elizabeth II.
Engraver’s proof Trial impressions taken during the
course of making the die. See also “Proof”.
Engraving The process of producing a stamp design
from a metal or wood plate.
Entire An intact piece of postal stationery
(envelope, postcard or wrapper), in contrast to a cut-out of the
imprinted stamp. This term is sometimes used in reference to an
intact cover or folded letter (“entire letter”).
Entire letter A complete folded letter sheet with
the communication on the inside and address on the outside, together
with relevant postal markings and adhesive stamps.
Entries Not Provided for Elsewhere exhibit An
exhibit in a New Zealand (non-FIP) class for an exhibit which is
provided to develop innovation in exhibiting and for exhibits which
do not fit into any of the other classes at an exhibition. This
option may not be provided at all exhibitions and would not be
provided at a specialised exhibition (i.e. one with a limited number
of classes). When judged the jury may decide the exhibit meets the
requirements of another class and it will be transferred to that
class.
Entry Term for a subject on a printing plate or
cylinder produced by the Perkins Die and Mill process.
Envelope An envelope is a piece of paper, to each
edge of which is attached a flap with the intention that these four
flaps should be folded over so as to form a container for a message.
Usually three of these flaps are fixed in position with gum, making
a pocket, the fourth is left open to be closed after a message has
been inserted.
Envelope booklet Not strictly a booklet but rather
a specially printed pane of 10 stamps (1988 40c brown kiwi) that was
inserted into an envelope with fastPOST stickers. First
print included a red “Foodtown” logo on the envelope cover and these
were sold through branches of that chain of stores. A second
print, with no logo, was sold from limited postal outlets.
Envelope stamp A stamp embossed on an envelope.
Epaulettes Term for the first issue of Belgium
(1849)
Ephemera Any printed or hand written item normally
discarded after its intended use such as calendars, postcards, trade
cards, tickets, and valentines.
Épreuve De Luxe (French) “De Luxe Proof”.
These are ‘prints after the fact’ which are offered to various
people within the administration. While certainly rare, since only a
few hundred copies are produced they are much less rare than the
artists’ proofs which have really been used to prepare the stamp and
which may only be a few units.
ERD Earliest recorded date of use.
Erinnophily Study and collection of commemorative
labels.
Error A major mistake in the production of a stamp
or postal stationery item. Production errors include imperforate or
imperforate-between varieties, missing or incorrect colours, and
inversion or doubling of part of the design or overprint. Major
errors are usually far scarcer than normal varieties of the same
stamp and are highly valued by collectors.
Error in design A mistake in design, inscription or
production. The best-known example in the stamps of NZ is the
1898 2½d “Wakatipu” mis-spelt “Wakitipu”.
Errors, freaks and oddities (EFO) See separate
listing for ‘Error’, ‘Freak’ and ‘Oddity’. There is at least one
international club (Errors, Freaks & Oddities Collectors Club)
devoted to collecting these issues. See also “Error”, “Freak”.
Esparto fibres Esparto grass when used in
papermaking makes a high quality paper. The fibres are fairly
short in relation to their width and because of the short fibre
length, the tensile strength of the paper is less than that of many
other papers, but its resistance to shrinkage and stretching is
superior. The paper is dense with excellent inking qualities.
Essay A proposed design, which can range from a
rough sketch to a print in colour. The design of an essay
differs, at least in some particulars, from the issued stamp.
Establishment register A large volume with early
records of the NZ Post Office and containing particulars of
appointments, Offices and, in some cases, details of actual
impressions of cancellations, postal markings and seals.
Etching A process of engraving by eating into the
metal with an acid or chemical solution. There have been some
instances where part of the design was recessed into a die by
etching and then the work completed by hand cutting. Etching
was employed during the production of the plates for the 1932 and
1933 Health stamps.
Etiquette A gummed label manufactured for
application to an envelope to designate a specific mail service.
Examples include indications of airmail, express and registration.
Europa stamps The “United Europe” theme celebrated
annually on stamps of western European nations since 1956. The
original Europa stamps were issued by the nations in the European
coal and steel association. Today, European nations that are members
of the postal and telecommunications association (CEPT) issue Europa
stamps.
Exaggeration Postcard A popular theme in America in
the years leading up to WW1. Exaggeration postcards typically
feature photo manipulated images of enormous agricultural produce or
animals.
Examiners’ marks These are applied to postal
packets to denote examination by censors in time of war or by
customs authorities.
Exchange club A group formed to exchange stamps.
Exelgram Holographic printing on thin plastic,
pioneered in Australia.
Exempt ship letter Handstamp applied to letters
written by the consignee of goods carried by ship exempting him from
the normal ship letter charge.
Exhibition labels Name for labels issued to
publicise exhibitions. See also “Poster stamps”.
Expatriated post Postal services provided by, or
for, a Government in Exile. This mainly, but not exclusively,
arose during WWII when German occupation saw some Governments
operating in the UK.
Experimental postmark A postmark produced during
the trials of new types of handstamps or cancelling machine. e.g.
skeleton postmark.
Expert committee Groups of specialist philatelists
whose function is to express an opinion on the authenticity of
stamps or other philatelic item.
Expert Group A panel of experts that is part of the
jury at International exhibitions. They examine exhibits for fakes,
forgeries and other contravention, including any that are reported
by jury teams to contain possible faked or forged material.
Expertisation The examination of a stamp or cover
by an acknowledged expert or expert committee to determine if it is
genuine. As standard procedure, an expert or expertizing body issues
a signed certificate, often with an attached photograph, attesting
to the item’s status.
Explanatory labels and marks Devices used by postal
authorities to give reasons for surcharging unpaid or underpaid mail
or to give reasons for non-delivery.
Exploded A stamp booklet that has been separated
into its various components, usually for purposes of display. Panes
are removed intact: individual stamps are not separated from the
pane.
Express delivery Delivery of an article, on the
payment of a special fee, as soon as possible after receipt at the
office of destination. Distinctive 6d stamps were issued from
9 February 1903 and the last issue was withdrawn from sale 30 June
1948. See also “fastPOST”.
Express labels Labels usually printed in bright
colours to denote express and special delivery mail.
Express letter stamps Postage stamps denoting the
fee payable in respect of accelerated mail subject to special
handling.
Express mail An accelerated delivery service for
which the customer pays a surcharge and receives faster delivery.
Express mail service An international service under
the auspices of the UPU for the acceleration of mail.
Extension hole Perforation hole appearing in a
sheet margin as the first or last of a row of perforation holes.
External distortion Flaw caused by the application
of force to a subject on a printing plate.
Extra extension hole An additional perforation hole
alongside an “Extension hole” to help identify the position on a
rotary perforator (see also) where repair may be necessary.
F
Face or front For most postcard
collectors this refers to the picture side of the postcard. As in
the back definition many philatelic collectors consider the front
the address side.
Face The front of a stamp; the side bearing the
design.
Face value The value of a stamp as inscribed on its
face. For letter-denominated or non-denominated stamps, the
understood postal value of the stamp.
Facer canceller table Equipment designed for the
automatic facing and cancelling of mail.
Facing indicator mark (FIM) is a bar code designed
by the USPS to assist in the automated processing of mail. The FIM
is a set of vertical bars printed on the envelope or postcard near
the upper edge, just to the left where the stamp is placed. The FIM
is intended for use primarily on pre-printed envelopes and postcards
and is applied by the company printing the envelopes or postcards,
not by the USPS.
Facsimile A reproduction of a genuine stamp or
cover. Such items are usually made with no intent to deceive
collectors or postal officials. Catalogue illustrations may also be
considered facsimiles.
Faded stamps Stamps where colours or papers have
faded through exposure to light, chemicals or water.
Faidherbe French Colonial key type.
Fake A stamp, cover or cancel that has been altered
or concocted to appeal to a collector. In a broad sense, fakes
include repairs, re-perforations and re-gummed stamps, as well as
painted-in cancels, bogus cancels or counterfeit markings. Sometimes
entire covers are faked.
FAM “Foreign Air Mail”
Fancy cancel A general term to describe any
pictorial or otherwise unusual obliterating postmark. More
specifically, the term is used to describe elaborate handmade
pictorial cancels of the 19th century, such as the Waterbury
“Running Chicken” of 1869 or the many intricate geometric shapes
used during that period in post offices around the country. Outside
the US they are normally termed cork cancels. The term may also be
used for any postmark with a pictorial design.
Fantasy stamps Pieces of paper which purport to be
postage stamps but bear the names of imaginary places.
Farley’s follies During 1933-34, US Postmaster
General James A Farley supplied a few imperforate sheets of current
commemorative issues to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and other
government officials. The resulting uproar from US collectors forced
the government to release for public sale 20 issues in generally
imperforate and un-gummed sheets.
Fast colours Inks resistant to fading.
fastPOST An express service offered by NZ Post from 31
March 1993 which ceased 31 December 2017. It offered next
working day delivery target for sending across town or between major
towns and cities and offered a range of letter sizes and postage
options. The rate for a standard letter during most of the time the
service operated was twice the standard post rate.
FCP Fluorescent coated paper
FDC First Day Cover
Federaciȯn InterAmericana de Filatelica
(Spanish) “Inter-American Philatelic Federation” (FIAF). Created in
1968, FIAF is the Continental Federation comprised of FIP member
countries of the Americas.
Federation Internationale de Philatelie (French) International Philatelic Federation (FIP) an association
of national philatelic federations set up in 1926 to safeguard the
interests of stamp collectors at an international level. It also
accredits major International Philatelic exhibitions.
Federation Internationale des Societies Aerophilateliques
(French) International Federation of Aerophilatelic Societies, more
commonly known as FISA, is the umbrella association for
aerophilatelic societies. FISA represents and promotes aerophilately
and astrophilately for its collectors around the world.
Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA) is an Associate Member (Continental Federation) of FIP. National
Federations, Associations or Unions of European countries can be
FEPA members and by special agreement with FEPA and FIP the Israel
Philatelic Federation is a FEPA Member. FEPA Membership is
also accepted for national Federations of countries in North Africa
as long as no African Continental Federation has been founded.
Federation of Inter-Asia Philately (FIAP) is the
Continental Federation comprised of FIP member countries of Asia,
Australasia and Southern Africa.
Federation of New Zealand Philatelic Societies Predecessor of the “New Zealand Philatelic Federation”.
Fee Stamps Revenue stamps with the purpose of
recording payment of or exemption from a fee for which some service
is to be or has been rendered. See also “tax stamps” and “credit
stamps”.
Fee Stamps Revenue stamps with the purpose of
recording payment of or exemption from a fee for which some service
is to be or has been rendered. See also “tax stamps” and “credit
stamps”.
Feldpost (German) Field Post Office (FPO).
Felicitations In addition to the medal awarded, a
jury may express Felicitations for those exhibits demonstrating
outstanding philatelic research or originality. Felicitations may
not be given to the same exhibit twice (at the same level of
competition – i.e. National or International) unless a totally new
aspect of research has been introduced.
Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand “FRNZPNZ”.
FEPA Federation of European Philatelic Societies.
FFQ“Full face queen”
FIAF see “Federacion Inter-Americana de Filatelica”
FIAP “Federation of Inter-Asia Philately”
Fictitious stamp Any Facsimile, imitation or
representation of any stamp.
Field post office (FPO) A military postal service
operating in the field, either on land or at sea. Frequently
abbreviated FPO.
Fifth clause post The fifth clause of the Postage
Act 1801 (UK) authorised under guarantee certain village posts for
the conveyance of letters to the neighbouring post town.
Figure type Design in which a numeral is the most
prominent feature.
Fil rouge (French) “red thread” an
expression used to describe the recurring element throughout an
exhibit. Used in the “GREV” for Youth Exhibits.
Find A new discovery, usually of something that was
not known to exist. It can be a single item or a hoard of stamps or
covers.
FIP classes The GREX provides for the following
competitive classes: FIP Championship Class (only at General World
Exhibitions; Traditional Philately; Postal History; Postal
Stationery; Aerophilately; Thematic Philately; Maximaphily;
Philatelic Literature; Youth Philately; Revenue; Astrophilately;
and, Open Philately. All of these competitive classes, except
Literature, include Modern Philately and One Frame exhibits.
FIP Federation Internationale de Philatelie
First day ceremony An event held to commemorate the
first day of issue of a stamp or postal stationery item. It
usually occurs at the location most relevant to purpose of issue.
First day ceremony programme A programme given to
those who attend first day ceremony. In the US the programme
contains the actual stamp affixed and postmarked, a list of
participants, and information on the stamp subject.
First day cover (FDC) A cover bearing a stamp tied
by a cancellation showing the date of the official first day of
issue of that stamp.
First Day Cover exhibit An exhibit in National
(non-FIP) class featuring first day covers which may also include
material used in their design and development.
First flight cover (FFC) Souvenir covers carried on
flights inaugurating new airmail routes or new airmail services.
First side-faces NZ stamp issue with a left-facing
portrait of Queen Victoria (1874-1882) and inscribed POSTAGE.
First-class mail A class of mail including letters,
postcards and postal cards, all matter wholly or partially in
writing or typewriting, and all matter sealed or otherwise closed
against inspection.
FISA Federation Internationale des Societies Aerophilateliques.
Fiscal / Fiscal stamps A revenue
stamp or similar label denoting the payment of tax, duty or fees
other than postage. Fiscals are ordinarily affixed to documents and
cancelled by pen, canceler or mutilation. Because of their
similarity to postage stamps, fiscals have occasionally been used
either legally or illegally to prepay postage. See also “Postal
fiscal”, “Revenues”.
Fiscal cancellation A cancellation used by the
Stamp Duties Department, Lands & Deeds, Supreme and Magistrates
Courts and Public Trust Office.
Fiscal cancellation of postage stamps Many postage
stamps have been validated for payment of revenue or fiscal duties
and taxes.
Fiscals Stamps issued mainly for duty, fine or tax
purposes.
NZ Post Office definitives were inscribed “Postage and
Revenue” between 1882 and 1953 to indicate they could be used
fiscally or as postage. Some of the stamps inscribed ‘Stamp Duty”
have been available at post offices and have been used on postal
matter. See “Postal fiscal”.
Flag cancellation Type of machine postmark in which
a design resembling a flag is substituted for the usual wavy line.
Flamme illustré (French) pictorial slogan
postmark.
Flat plate A flat metal plate used in a printing
press, as opposed to a curved or cylindrical plate. The process in
which it is used is called flatbed printing.
Flaw A blemish which occurs during
production. Most flaws are due to a deterioration of or damage
to a printing base. Several, have persisted throughout an issue
(e.g. the 1935 2/- “Coqk” and 4d Dunedin Exhibition “Postagf”). It
is not unusual for printers to treat impressions with flaws by using
a smoothing instrument, a burin or a transfer roller. In these
cases, the philatelic significance of a stamp with a flaw is
increased as it indicates a state in the life of a printing plate.
Fleet Post Office (FPO) An official US post office
for use by US military naval units (Navy, Marines and Coast Guards)
abroad. Frequently abbreviated FPO.
Flexography A form of rotary letterpress printing
which derives its name from the use of flexible rubber plates and
quick drying inks.
Floating safe mail Mail carried in a special fire
proof safe aboard ship.
Flong A papier maché sheet used to make a mould
from which a stereotype (see also) is made.
Flown cover Covers or cards which bear markings to
show that they were carried by airmail.
Fluorescence Some stamp inks fluoresce in different
colours when viewed under ultra violet light.
FM (French) Franchise Militaire.
Postage stamps overprinted FM given to servicemen allowing them
freedom form basic postage.
Foil stamps Stamps printed on paper faced with
metal foil.
Folded transfer In lithography when a transfer (see
also) used in building up a design on the printing base becomes
folded part of the stamp’s design will show signs of the fold.
Folder Sometimes called Vacation Folders these were
souvenir mailers with postcard views in an accordion pleated
arrangement.
Fonopost See “Phonopost”
Foodtown booklet See “envelope booklet”.
Forces Mail Mail sent by troops serving in the
field during wars and military campaigns.
Foreign Air Mail (FAM) Numbered
routes (between 1 and 98) assigned by USPS to US airlines carrying
mail October 1920 until the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.
For example FAM 19 was Pan Am California to New Zealand.
Foreign Entry When original transfers are erased
incompletely from a plate, they can appear with new transfers of a
different design which are subsequently entered on the plate.
Foreign Mail Branch See “Overseas Mail Branch”.
Foreign mail stamps Stamps issued by several
countries specifically for use on mail going overseas.
Forerunner Term used to describe the historical
predecessors of a philatelic group or issue. For example Turkish
stamps before 1918 cancelled in Palestine are forerunners of Israeli
issues. So are the various European nations’ issues for use in
Palestine, and the subsequent issues of the Palestine Mandate. The
term “forerunner” is also used to describe a stamp issued before
another stamp or set, if the earlier issue may have influenced the
design or purpose of the later issue.
Forgery A completely fraudulent reproduction of
stamp designs, overprints, surcharges or cancellations. There are
two general types of forgeries: those intended to defraud the postal
authorities (see also “Counterfeit”), and those intended to defraud
the collectors (see also “Bogus”). Forgeries have also been produced
for propaganda purposes. See also “Album weed”.
Format Describes the shape and size of a stamp.
Forme 1) An assemblage of moulds, of clichés or
type, for producing an electrotype or stereotype plate
Forme 2) Printing units consisting of type slugs,
electrotypes or stereotypes fixed together to produce an overprint
or surcharge.
Formular aerogram Aerograms without imprinted stamp
(e.g. in NZ, Zimbabwe and Ireland) which can be issued by either
postal authorities or by private companies.
Forwarding agent Individuals or organisations
undertaking the onward dispatch of mail.
Foxing Small brown spot blemishes on the postcard.
The causes of foxing are fungal in nature or the result of residual
metals included in the card from the pulp process.
FPO “Field Post Office” or “Fleet Post Office”
Fractional controls Public accountancy marks
consisting of a letter above two figures separated with a bar. They
were printed in sheet margins of GB photogravure stamps between 1934
and 1947.
Fractional stamps Stamps which are specially
designed so that they can be divided into parts.
Frakturschrift (German) Type of printing
used in Germany until 1940 common in overprints and stamp
inscriptions.
Frama / Frama labels A general name used for an
automatic stamp, derived from the name of the Swiss firm, Frama AG.
Automatic stamps were produced individually by a machine on demand
in a denomination from 00.01 to 99.99 selected by the customer. New
Zealand had a limited number of frama machines which operated from
21 February 1996 to December 2005. See also “ATM”, “machine label”.
Frame The outer portion of a stamp design, often
consisting of a line or a group of panels. See also “Duty Plate”.
Frame plate The plate used in the production of
bi-coloured stamps to print the frame.
Franchise stamps Private stamps which are issued to
charitable or national institutions to permit mail bearing these
stamps to go through the mail free of charge.
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, hand-stamped,
imprinted or affixed. Postage stamp and postage meter stamps are
modern methods of franking a letter.
Frank stamps Stamps issued by some countries to
show that no postage is payable.
Franking machine See “Meter”
Franking privilege A privilege many countries
provide for politicians and others to post mail without having to
pay postage. A copy of the individual’s signature replaces the stamp
on the envelope. Authentic signatures of famous individuals can be
valuable collectors’ items.
Freak An abnormal, usually non-repetitive
occurrence in the production of stamps resulting in a variation from
the normal stamp, but falls short of producing an error. Most paper
folds, over-inking and perforation shifts are freaks. Those
abnormalities occurring repetitively are called varieties and may
result in major errors.
Free frank or front Cut out front of a letter
showing the name and address, together with the endorsement of the
sender, date of posting and signature entitling the sender to frank
the letter.
Free franking A franking which indicates postage is
free. Free franking is usually limited to soldiers’ mail or selected
government correspondence. For example in Great Britain from the
days of Queen Elizabeth I to those of Queen Victoria, Ministers,
Members of both Houses of Parliament and certain other privileged
persons could “Frank” correspondence by signing their names on the
front and letters so franked were delivered free.
Free mail Mail transmitted free of charge.
Freepost A postal service provided by various
postal administrations, whereby a person sends mail without affixing
postage, and the recipient pays the postage when collecting the
mail.
Fresh entry When an impression is found to be
unsatisfactory it is usual for the faulty impression to be erased
and a fresh entry made. When the whole of the original
impression has been removed the stamps will show no evidence of
treatment but there have been instances where some doubling has
arisen from remnants of the original impression. Fresh entries are
made before the plate is put to press. See also “Re-entry”.
Front The front of a cover with most or all of the
back and side panels torn away or removed. Fronts, while desirable
if they bear unusual or uncommon postal markings, are less desirable
than an intact cover.
FRPSL Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society
London.
FRPSNZ “Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of
NZ”. The rules of the Society provide that this distinction be
granted only to a member “who has done outstanding original
philatelic research work which has been published for the benefit of
philately or who has performed meritorious service for the
advancement of philately.”
Frugal exhibit An exhibit in a National (non-FIP)
class which concentrates on the criteria of treatment, importance,
knowledge, research condition and presentation. There are
limiting criteria with respect to the value of items included.
The purpose is to provide an opportunity for collectors to display
interesting items and enhance their philatelic skills rather than
blunt their cheque books.
Fugitive inks Printing inks used in stamp
production that easily fade if exposed to a bright light or run in
water or chemicals. Many governments have used fugitive inks to
print stamps to counter attempts at forgery or the removal of
cancellations.
Full face Portraits of persons on stamps facing
full front.
Full Face Queen (FFQ) The first type of New Zealand
stamps with the full-face portrait of Queen Victoria.
Fumigated mail Mail which has been treated to
prevent the spread of infection. See also “Disinfected mail”.
G
Galvanotyping Term synonymous with electro typing.
Game Bird Habitat stamps Stamps depicting a
different game bird each season commencing from 1993. All game bird
hunters contribute to the fund when they buy their annual hunting
licence because $2 goes directly to the programme. The stamps and
associated product are marketed by NZ Post. Purchase of a stamp or
product contributes to wildlife conservation.
Garter watermark Watermark representing the
insignia of the Order of the Garter, large, medium and small.
Gauge Term describing both stamp separation and the
instrument used to measure them. See also “Perforation Gauge”.
GC paper Grande Consommation
GEA Overprint on George VI stamps of East Africa
and Uganda denoting German East Africa
Gel or Gelatin Coated Postcards. An American term
but one that is applicable elsewhere. Postcards with a thin glossy
surface layer. The surface layer can be prone to cracking.
Gelatin Finish A colourless or
slightly yellow, transparent, brittle protein formed by boiling the
specially prepared skin, bones, and connective tissue of animals.
This finish leaves a shiny attractive surface although very delicate
and usually seen with cracks.
Gelatin Silver Developing Out (Silver Print) The
gelatin-silver developing out process produced the first ‘black and
white’ photographic image. Most earlier photographs had a
warm, soft, sepia colour but as it was developed with chemicals, the
gelatin-silver developing out produced steely, cool colours and
usually the overall affect is different from the earlier warm, fuzzy
colours. Under magnification the fibres of the paper cannot be seen
as the clear layer of gelatin placed over the image, in part for
protection, hides the fibre. Gelatin-silver prints could be printed
on many different papers. Most real photo postcards used this
process.
Gelatin Silver Printing Out & Collodion Printing Out Prints These are two distinct photographic processes but as they are
nearly indistinguishable from each other and were produced during
the same period they are often grouped together. Prints from these
processes often look much like albumen prints which they largely
replaced. As a thin clear layer of gelatin was put over the image
for protection, the fibres of the paper cannot be seen under
magnification unlike albumen prints. The paper is thin but unlike
albumen paper it did not have to be mounted although many were.
Unlike albumen prints, enlargement was possible and many large sizes
were made. Many early real photo postcards used this process.
General collection One that embraces stamps of many
countries.
General Letter Office Name by which the British
Post Office was originally known.
General Post Office 1)1) In
Britain (until 1969) the department of the central Government that
provided postal and telephone services
General Post Office 2)) The main
post office in a locality.
General Post Office 3) The administrative
headquarters of the post office in New Zealand which was situated in
Wellington. It exercised a general control over all of the
operations of the Department.
General Postal Union Original name for the
Universal Postal Union
General Regulations for the Evaluation of Exhibits
(GREV) Apply to all classes of competitive exhibitions and are
intended to serve the Jury as regulations and as a guide to the
collector for the development of their exhibits.
General Regulations of the FIP for Exhibitions (GREX) The overarching regulations which apply to any exhibition
with FIP patronage or recognition. In addition to general
stipulations the GREX describes the conditions under which
exhibitors may enter; the roles of the “consultant”, “commissioners”
and jury; responsibilities of the exhibition management; and,
provisions should an FIP Congress be held in conjunction with the
exhibition.
Generic smilers In addition to Customised Smilers
sheets (see also “Smilers”) Royal; Mail provides the stamps with a
printed motif on the labels in place of a personal photograph.
Geometrical type cancellation A cancellation with a
geometrical design. Those used in NZ were cut by hand upon
wood, cork or metal.
Germania the longest lived German stamp also used
in many German Colonies.
Ghost tagging The appearance of a faint image
impression in addition to the normal inked impression. This is
caused by mis-registration of the phosphor tagging in relation to
the ink. Sometimes, a plate number impression will have an entirely
different number from the ink plate, giving the impression of an
error: one dark (normal) number and one light (ghost) number.
Glacé paper Paper that has been given a glossy
finish by glazing with friction or applied heat.
Glassine A thin, semi-transparent paper that is
moderately resistant to the passage of air and moisture. Envelopes
made of glassine are commonly used for temporary stamp storage.
Glassine is also used in the manufacture of stamp hinges.
Glider mail Mail conveyed by glider.
Goats eyes Nickname for the second issue Brazilian
stamps.
Goldbeaters skin A thin, tough, translucent resin
based paper. The 1886 issue of Prussia was printed in reverse on
goldbeater’s skin, with the gum applied over the printing. These
stamps are brittle and virtually impossible to remove from the paper
to which they are affixed.
Golden Age The era in which postcards were at their
peak of popularity. Generally considered to begin in 1902 when the
introduction of the divided back and improved printing technologies
allowed publishers to produce cards with images of a larger size and
quality. The Golden Age continued through to the start of the First
World War in 1914.
Government Department printed frank Between 1861
and 1902 NZ Government Department mail was sent free of postage. For
certain Departments the Post Office approved use of distinctive
printed franks.
Government Life Insurance Department see NZ
Government Life Insurance Department.
Government Printer
Government Printing Office franks free postage
“Government Department printed frank” (see also). First frank used
from 1876, a second was introduced in 1886, an adhesive label in
1891,a design incorporating “VR” on 1898 and the last with “ER” in
1901.
GOVT PARCELS (Government parcels)
Overprint on British stamps used for parcels dispatched on
government service.
GPO “General Post Office”
GPU General Postal Union
Grain See “Mesh”.
Grande Consommation (French) emergency
paper used for certain French stamps during and after WWI.
Granite paper A paper with coloured cotton, linen,
jute or wool fibres embodied within it when the paper is made. This
paper is used as a deterrent against forgery.
Graphite lines Vertical black lines printed on the
back of certain British stamps in 1957 for experiments in automatic
sorting. See also “Phosphor stamps”.
Graver A cutting tool commonly used for touching up
or retouching.
Gravure A printing process utilizing an intaglio
printing plate where ink is held in tiny cells etched into the
cylinder by photographic and chemical means, rather than by hand
engraving. Once known as photogravure when photography was involved
in the process. See also “Intaglio”.
Greeting Cards Most collectors refer to this term
when describing birthday and holiday type postcards. Christmas,
Easter, Birthdays and most other holidays and special occasions are
well represented but some, such as “Labor Day” cards, are considered
scarce. With early greeting cards punlishers, competing for sales,
printed cards using intricate embossing techniques, high calibre art
work, superior inks, expensive lithographic processes and even
novelty additions such as glitter, ribbons, metal, silk and
feathers.
Greetings stamp Stamp issued with labels attached
giving various forms of greeting.
GREV “General Regulations for the Evaluation of
Exhibits”
GREX “General Regulations of the FIP for
Exhibitions”
GRI (Latin) Georgius Rex Imperator
Grill A pattern of parallel lines (or dots at the
points where lines would cross) forming a grid. A grill is usually
either the impressed breaks added to stamps as a security measure
(US issues of 1867-71 and Peru issues of 1874-79); or a grill-like
cancelling device used on various 19th-century issues.
Grus Aus (German) “Greeting from”. In the
1890s the words Gruss Aus first appeared as part of the
design on town view postcards published in German speaking European
countries. The fashion spread swiftly with each country using an
equivalent greeting. These cards were the forerunner of the seaside
holiday souvenir postcards.
Guarantee mark Mark on stamp to indicate that it is
authorised for postal purposes.
Guaranteed delivery A service introduced by Royal
Mail (1993) with distinctive labels and stationery guaranteeing
delivery by mid-day on the day following posting. See “Special
Delivery”.
Guard Bridge Paper Co Ltd first became associated
with NZ stamps in 1898 as they supplied some un-watermarked paper
for the pictorials. Watermarked rolls produced at the Guard
Bridge Mills were supplied to Harrison & Sons Ltd from 1950.
Guerrilla stamps Stamps issued by guerrilla forces
dating from 1895.
Guide arrow Marginal mark on stamp sheets
indicating the centre point of the sheet or pane.
Guide dot A dot punched in the surface of a plate
to assist in the correct placing of an impression. Prominent
examples are found in the Penny Universal printed from the booklet
plate and from a set of plates used from 1904.
Guide line A line cut in a plate or transferred
from a die to a transfer roller to assist in the correct alignment
of impressions on a plate.
Guilloché (French) Said to be named after
a French engineer named Guillot, is a decorative technique in which
a very precise, intricate and repetitive pattern is mechanically
engraved into an underlying material via engine turning (see also).
Gum breaker bars Lines on the gummed side of stamps
breaking up the pattern of the gum and preventing the stamps from
curling.
Gum The mucilage applied to the backs of adhesive
postage stamps, revenue stamps or envelope flaps. Gum is an area of
concern for stamp collectors. It may crack and harm the paper of the
stamp itself. It may stain or adhere to other stamps or album pages
under certain climatic conditions. Many collectors are willing to
pay extra for 19th- and some 20th-century stamps with intact,
undisturbed original gum. See also “Adhesive”.
Gutter (1) The selvedge separating panes on a sheet
of stamps. The gutter is usually discarded during processing. The
gutter may be unprinted or bear plate numbers, accounting or control
numbers, advertising or other words or markings.
Gutter (2) The space between impressions on a plate
or cylinder; between the designs of stamps in a sheet; or, between
plates.
Gutter pair Two stamps, one on either side of a
gutter panel from a sheet of stamps.
Gutter snipe One or more stamps to which is
attached the full gutter from between panes, plus any amount of an
adjoining stamp or stamps. This term is typically used in reference
to US stamps. Gutter snipes are freaks caused by mis-registration of
the cutting device or paper fold-over.
H
Hair line A very fine line extraneous to a
design. This can result from a scratch on a recess plate or a
photogravure cylinder.
Half tone process A photo mechanical method of
representing light and shade by dots of varying size, extensively
used for the reproduction of illustrations in newspapers and
magazines.
Half-National exhibition A specialised National
stamp exhibition i.e. one with a limited number of classes.
Typically, around half of the normal classes and frequently linked
to another exhibition within the same country and year that offers
the balance of the classes.
Hand painted / tinted Postcards or
stamps with colour added by hand normally using watercolours and
stencils.
Hand-made paper Paper made by hand in moulds and
thus in separate sheets instead of machine made continuous rolls.
Handstamp Implement used to apply a postmark or
cancellation by hand. Thence also the postmark or cancellation
applied by hand.
Handstruck postage stamps Marks made by a handstamp
direct on to postal packets to show pre-payment of postage.
Hangsell A process of packaging product for retail
selling so it can be hung on a hook for display. This usually
entails a backing card with a punched hole. Booklets, presentation
packs and coil dispenser boxes are commonly prepared in this way.
Harrison & Sons Ltd produced NZ stamps by the
photogravure process. The firm used Guard Bridge paper and
calendered it.
Harrow perforations A means of perforating whole
sheets at a single stroke.
Harvesters Name given to the reaper design stamps
of Hungary.
Hatching Series of shading lines usually parallel
and close together.
Head plate One of a pair of plates used for
printing key type designs. The head plate is used to print the
portrait.
Head post office (HPO) the main post office in a
town.
Health Stamps Stamps bearing a premium for health
projects In new Zealand stamps that carry a surcharge donated to the
Children’s Health Camps throughout New Zealand that were issued
annually by the post office from 1929 to 2016.
Health stamps.
Heavily embossed Degree of embossing is greater
than average and colours appear to be airbrushed rather than printed
realistically. Sometimes has a flat paper backing.
Hectograph Method of printing from a gelatine base
which holds a design in a special dye.
Helecon A chemical substance of the zinc sulphide
group added to printing ink to facilitate electronic sorting of
mail.
Helicopter mail Mail carried by Helicopter.
Heliogravure French term for photogravure.
Hidden dates Date of manufacture of postage stamps
concealed somewhere in the design.
High value packets Parcels of banknotes and
security documents sent through the post on behalf of the clearing
banks 1970-73, sometimes distinguished by red labels inscribed HVP
(see also)
High value The term applied to stamps which
represent a higher value of postage. Not to be confused with the
actual market value of a stamp.
Highway Post Office (HPO) Portable mail-handling
equipment for sorting mail in transit on highways (normally by
truck) and the term is applied to the vehicle. The last official US
HPO ran 30 June 1974.
Hinge Stamp hinges are small, rectangular-shaped
pieces of glassine paper, usually gummed on one side. Folded with
the gummed side out, the hinge is used to mount stamps. Most modern
hinges are peelable. Once dry, they may be easily removed from the
stamp, leaving little trace of having been applied.
Historical Cards Historical cards are printed to
commemorate events such as war, social problems, expositions,
parades, coronations, politics and so on. Often this type of card
was made of a real photograph with few copies being offered for
sale. This is especially true of disaster cards depicting floods,
fires, wrecks, etc. Often the historical significance of a card
comes from the message written by the sender.
HM/OW Her Majesty’s Office of Works
Hold to light A novelty postcard with die cut or
transparent areas designed to allow the transmission of light
through parts of the image to create a ‘lit up’ effect when the card
is held to a light source. Hold to Light postcards are of three
distinct types: Hold to light Die Cut Postcards; “Hold to light
Transparency Postcards”; and, “Hold to light Slide Transparency
Postcards”
Hold to light Die Cut Postcards are triple layered
cards on which certain parts of the topmost layer have been cut out,
a middle layer with thin coloured tissue paper and a bottom layer
for the Address backing. When held up to a strong light the cut out
portions appear brightly coloured and illuminated. These cards
generally highlight windows, the moon, flowers, or other small
discrete cut-out areas.
Hold to light Slide Transparency Postcards are, as
the name implies, a slide transparency sandwiched between two layers
of a postcard. These are a rare type.
Hold to light Transparency Postcards are more
sophisticated than hold to light die cut postcards. Also made of
three or more layers, these have a “hidden design” which is usually
related to the front design. Objects, characters, colours, or scenes
appear when the postcard is held in front of a strong light. These
cards are classified in four groups: (a) day into night scene (b)
the colour changes (usually from black and white to colours); (c) a
new image appears (which may or may not be related to the front
image); and (d) a partial image appears.
Holed cancellation Stamps from which holes have
been punched out for cancellation.
Hologram An image that appears to be
three-dimensional when tilted or angled to the light.
Honour envelope Envelope bearing an inscription
signifying its use by forces on active service who certified on
their honour that the contents did not disclose any military
matters.
Hooded date stamp A circular date stamp having an
additional concentric segment around the top in the form of a hood
for the purpose of containing a distinctive inscription.
Hors concours (French) “outside of
competition”. The term applies to an exhibit which is participating
without competing for an award. Most commonly this occurs when an
exhibit falls outside the rules of the exhibition’s “IREX” or
“Prospectus”.
Hotel posts Stamps used in connection with postal
services organised by hotels in remote areas.
Howard paper William Howard & Sons Ltd
manufactured some of the chalk-surfaced paper with NZ and star
watermark used for relief-printed stamps.
HPO “Highway post office” or “Head post office”
H-roulette The cuts are shaped like the letter H.
See “roulette”.
Hue or tone The sensory characteristic described as
blue, green, yellow, etc. and dependent on the wave length of
reflected light. See also “Colour”.
Humidor A humidifying box or sweat box for removing
unwanted paper from stamps.
HVP “High value packet”.
HWDC Heathrow World Distribution Centre is a
sorting office for international mail operated by Royal Mail opened
in 2003. All mail entering and leaving the UK is sorted at HWDC
under tight aviation security standards, following the closure of
all other international mail handling facilities in the UK.
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) A chemical bleaching
and cleaning fluid.
Hyphen perforation Form of perforation in which
paper is punched out in narrow strips instead of the usual round
holes.
I
Ideal Stamp British post office competition held at
the 1912 Jubilee International Stamp Exhibition. The winning design
was not accepted for use by the post office!
Ident Code letter or number printed during the
automatic sorting of mail to identify the sorter or machine.
IFSDA International Federation of Stamp Dealers’
Associations
Illegal postage Postage stamps which are regarded
as illegal or those which contravene the postal laws of one or more
countries e.g. Rhodesia
Illegal stamp A stamp that carries the name of a
legitimate country but was not authorised by the designated postal
operator of that country for production.
ILO International Labour Office. See also
“BIT”.
Imitation art paper A smooth white paper drawn from
stock by the Government Printer in 1925 and converted into special
stamp paper by reproductions of NZ and star lithographed on the back
of the sheets.
Imitation perforations Simulated perforations
printed around stamps.
IMP “Integrated Mail Processor”.
Imperf between This variety occurs when a row of
perforations has been missed. These should be at least in
pairs.
Imperf horizontally or vertically These varieties
result where sheets have been run through a line or rotary machine
one way only.
Imperf on three sides This variety is due to the
omission of a strike of a comb head.
Imperf on top When sheets are run through a comb
machine with the short rows running upwards it is necessary to have
a strike of the head on the top selvedge to provide the horizontal
perforations at the top of the top row of stamps. There have
been instances where this strike was missed. Some sheets of
the 1902-03 pictorial 3d, 6d, 8d and 1/- perforated perf 11 were
issued with the top row of perforations missing.
Imperf variety There have been numerous instances
where NZ stamps which should have been perforated were issued
imperforate. It is preferable these should be in pairs.
Imperforate, imperf Lacking perforations, roulettes
or serrates. The earliest stamps were imperforate by design, but
after about 1860 most stamps were perforated. Modern imperforates
are usually errors or are produced specifically for sale to stamp
collectors.
IMPEX IMP without the segregation and culling
section
Impressed stamp applied by a machine to paper to
leave an impression e.g. a revenue stamp
Impression 1) Reproduction of a design transferred
from a die to a transfer roller or to a mould.
Impression 2) An individual unit on a plate.
Impression 3) The reproduction of a design from a
die, plate or cylinder on paper.
Impression 4) A mark impressed by an instrument
e.g. date stamp, obliterator, rubber stamp.
Imprimatur (Latin) “let it be printed”.
The first sheets of stamps from an approved plate, normally checked
and retained in a file prior to a final directive to begin stamp
production from a plate. Before the early stamps of Great Britain
were issued to the public an Imprimatur or registration sheet was
printed on watermarked paper and in the colour selected for the
denomination/colour to be registered at Somerset House. Normally it
refers to an individual stamp from the registration sheet.
Imprimés (French) Printed papers sent by
post
Imprint block A block of stamps taken from a part
of the sheet where the printer’s name or imprint is located in the
margin.
Imprint The name of the printer, usually printed on
the selvedge, but may appearing on the bottom of each stamp. See
also “Plate marking” and “Cylinder marking”.
Imprinted stamps Stamps other than adhesives,
printed direct on postal stationery items (postal cards, envelopes,
etc.). See also “indicium”.
India paper A type of paper which from 1875 has
been based on bleached hemp and rag fibres, that produced a very
thin, tough opaque white paper. It has often been used for the
printing of die proofs of postage stamps.
Indicator marking A group of letters etc. printed
to the left of a meter mark.
Indicium The stamp impression of a postage meter or
the imprint on postal stationery (as opposed to an adhesive stamp),
indicating prepayment and postal validity. Plural: indicia.
Individual Regulations of an Exhibition see “IREX”
Inflation issues Stamps with a huge face value e.g.
Germany 1923.
Ink Mixture of pigments, oils, varnishes, driers,
toners with compounds and fugitive chemicals made in accordance with
the type of printing process.
Inkjet postmarks Cancellations on mail applied a
type of computer printing that recreates a digital image by
propelling droplets of ink. Inkjet postmarking commenced in New
Zealand in 1993 and continues (2017).
Inkjet printing A type of computer printing that
recreates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper,
plastic, or other substrates. Inkjets are used for applying
cancellations and other marks on mail. (See also “inkjet slogan”.)
Inland mail stamps Stamps meant for internal mail
and thus inscribed.
Inland Revenue Inscription found on British fiscal
stamps to denote their use to pay tax or revenue charges
Inscription The letters, words and numbers that are
part of a postage stamp design.
Inselpost (German) Island post (Channel
Islands during WWII).
Inserted by hand A minor type of hand painting in
which missing accents have been touched in on the stamp manually.
Instalment (set) A series of postcards which when
assembled together form a larger picture. Horizontal series display
images such as march hares or horses running. Rectangular series
often display an artist’s depictions of a notable figure or event.
Instructional labels, marks and etiquettes Widely
used by postal authorities to indicate special handling of mail in
transit, e.g. fragile, perishable.
Insured mail Letters, packets, parcels insured
against loss on the payment of a special fee by the sender.
Intaglio (Italian) “in recess”. A form of
printing in which the inked image is produced by that portion of the
plate sunk below the surface. The earliest used method for
printing postage stamps {i.e. the ‘Penny-Black’} in which a hand
engraved master die is transferred to a printing plate from which
the design on a stamp is made by ink from that portion of the plate
sunk below the surface (recessed). “Engraving”, “recess”, “etching”
and “photogravure” are forms of intaglio printing. See also
“Transfer roller”.
Integrated mail processor (IMP) A system using
automated OCR of postcodes. Integrated mail processors scan the
front and back of an envelope and translate addresses into
machine-readable code.
Intelpost Electronic facsimile system for the
transmission of documents.
Intensity Graduation of colour or impression.
Variations can be due to differences in pressure, quantity of ink of
quality of paper.
Interleaving Sheets inserted between panes of
stamps within a booklet. These sheets included waxed paper or
contained printed material often commercial advertising or
information about the stamp issue (as in the case for “Prestige
booklets”).
Intermediate die A die made from the original die
to facilitate alterations being effected.
Intermediate perforations Perforations by Perkins
Bacon printings of 1860s in which perforations produced by a certain
machine deteriorated from the original clean cut to intermediate and
finally rough.
Intermediate Size Postcards between Court Cards and
Standard Size, measuring 5¼ x 3¼ in (130 × 80 mm).
Internal four state code A barcode system used on
mail by Royal Mail and variants by other postal authorities.
International exhibition An exhibition which is
held under the patronage of FIP or a Continental Federation.
International mail consists of three categories of
mail LC Letters et Cartes (letters and cards), AO
Autre Objects (other Articles) and CP
Colis Postaux (parcel post).
International Reply Coupon (IRC) A redeemable
certificate issued by member nations of the UPU to provide for
return postage from recipients in other countries. IRCs are
exchangeable for postage at a post office.
Internee mail Correspondence from persons interned
during time of war. See also “Prisoner of War Airmail”.
Interpanneau An interpanneau pair consists of two
stamps with a blank label in between. See also “gutter pair”.
Interpostal seals Circular adhesive labels used to
seal the flap of an envelope or to signify official correspondence.
Interrupted mail Mail which has been detained or
delayed.
Interrupted perforation A means of strengthening
strips of stamps used in vending machines where gaps are created in
the line of perforations by the omission or wider spacing of certain
pins.
Invalidated stamp Postage stamp which has been
demonetised or is no longer available for prepayment of postage.
Invert The term generally used to describe any
error where one portion of the design is inverted in relation to the
other portion(s). An overprint applied upside down is also an
invert.
Inverted centre A stamp in which the central
vignette is upside down in relation to the frame. The only reported
example of a NZ stamp is the 4d Lake Taupo.
Inverted frame A stamp in which the frame is upside
down in relation to the centre.
Inverted overprint A stamp whose overprint is
upside down in relation to the stamp.
Inverted watermark Watermark upside down in
relation to the image of the stamp.
Invicta Watermark in serif capitals found in paper
used in 1872 for the 2d FFQ. The name was surrounded a lozenge
design. See also “Lozenge”.
IR Inland Revenue
IRC “International Reply Coupon”.
IREX Individual Regulations drawn up by an
exhibition’s management. In the case of FIP and Continental
Federation exhibitions the IREX must not conflict with the “GREX”
and be approved by the appointed FIP or, as appropriate, the
Continental Federation Consultant before publication. At National or
Regional levels the IREX are commonly referred to as the
“Prospectus”.
Iriodin A type of ink which gives a shiny
iridescent effect to the solid part of the background. Used as a
security feature.
Irregular perforations Perforations out of
alignment or of mixed gauge.
Issue 1) A term referring to a specific design
which is usually noted in a catalogue with a unique number.
Varieties and errors can occur and are usually catalogued
as a sub-type of the issue.
Issue 2) As in ‘to issue’, denotes the production
and distribution of an item.
Ivory head Uncoloured area of the head of Queen
Victoria on 1841 1d red of Great Britain when seen from the back.
Blueing in the paper caused by printing of ink that contained
prussiate of potash (Potassium ferrocyanide) on damp paper. The area
of the head had less ink, so the white shadow of the head becomes
apparent.
J
Japanese paper Soft fine paper made from the bark
of the mulberry tree, long fibres accounting for its strength.
Joined paper Paper with a slight overlap where two
strips of stamps from a sheet have been joined at the selvage to
form a continuous coil.
Joint issue An issue of stamps by two or more
independent countries to commemorate the same event.
Joint line The coloured line that often appears
between coil stamps where the curved plate on a rotary press meet.
Jones paper (2) Samuel Jones (Export) Ltd accepted
contracts for the supply of watermarked paper for stamps printed in
England. They did not manufacture the paper but they did calender,
gum and cut it.
Jones paper(1) Samuel Jones Ltd supplied a quantity
of chalk-surfaced paper with NZ and star watermark.
Journal stamps Low value stamps specially designed
and produced to prepay postage on newspapers, periodicals etc.
Journal tax stamps Stamps denoting taxes on
newspapers but often conferring free transmission through the post.
Jubilee lines Coloured lines printed in the sheet
or pane margins of certain British and Commonwealth issues. They
were included on the printing plates for technical reasons to enable
better prints to be made.
Judenpost (German) Jewish post
Jumbo roll A large roll of stamps used for the
automated laminating of the stamps onto first day covers.
Junk mail Term used for unsolicited advertising
mail.
Jusqu’a mark (French) “as far as”. A mark, found usually
on airmail, followed by the name of a terminal. Each airmail
terminus had a jusqu’a marking to indicate where the airmail ended
and surface or other carriage commenced.
K
K Force NZ Forces in Korea.
Kaleidoscopes Postcards with a rotating wheel that
reveals a myriad of colours when turned.
KEVII King Edward the Seventh of Great Britain
KEVIII King Edward the Eighth of Great Britain
Key plate The plate which prints the general design
on stamps, specifically certain British Commonwealth issues
requiring two separate printings.
Key type A basic stamp design utilized for the
issues of two or more postal entities, usually differing in the
country name and inscription of value. Many of the earlier colonial
issues of Britain, France, Spain, Germany and Portugal are key
types.
KGV King George the Fifth of Great Britain
KGVI King George the Sixth of Great Britain
Killer cancellation A cancellation that completely
obliterates a postage stamp.
Kiloware A stamp mixture consisting of
miscellaneous postally used stamps on envelope corner paper from
various sources generally sold by weight.
King George V Memorial Children’s Health Camps Federation The organisation that once controlled Health Camps. It was
authorised by the Post Office to produce and sell official souvenir
covers used on the day of issue of Health stamps. After various
changes to the management of health camps in 2003 it became Stand
Children’s Services. See “health stamps”.
Kiss print A doubling of the printed design of a
stamp caused by the paper contacting the inked plate out of precise
register, usually because of slight buckling. As the pressure
roller flattens the sheet there is movement of the buckled part and
a second impression or blurring results. Some stamps which
appear to be double prints (see also) are kiss prints.
KiwiStamp™ Non-denominated stamps issued by NZ Post
providing the required postage of a Standard Post™ medium letter.
Multiple KiwiStamp™ stamps can be used on a range of letter sizes
and to send letters by fastPost™.
KuK (German)
Kaiserliche und Königliche Imperial and Royal
L
Label Any stamp-like adhesive that is not a postage
stamp or revenue stamp. See also “Bogus”, “Cinderella”.
Labelled stamps Stamps with labels.
Lady McLeod The ship depicted on a local stamp of
Trinidad issued by David Bryce the owner and captain in April 1847
to prepay the carriage on letters carried by the vessel between Port
of Spain and San Francisco.
Laid paper One of the two basic types of paper used
in stamp printing. Laid paper is relatively think paper
distinguished from wove paper by the presence of closely spaced
thin, parallel lines caused by the wires of the dandy roll visible
when the paper is held to light. The lines are usually a few
millimetres apart. See also “Batonne”. The NZ 1904 2/- is known on
vertically laid paper.
Language of stamps Angle of placement of stamp on a
letter may indicate a message of a romantic nature.
Large letter Envelope no more than 180 x 324 mm,
10mm thickness and, for air mail purposes, no more than 200 g.
Large letter postcard A postcard that has the name
of a place shown as a series of very large letters, inside of each
of which is a picture of that locale. See also Big Letter.
Last day cover Souvenir posted on the last day of
an issue of stamps. See also “LRD”.
Late fee A special fee payable for mail posted
after the normal collection hours to catch the last post. Markings
have been used to distinguish articles on which the fee has been
paid and offices where large quantities were handled had distinctive
date stamps.
Laureated issue Portrait has a laurel leaf see
French issue of 1862-70.
Lazaret See “Disinfected Mail”
LC See “Letters et Carte”.
League of Nations stamps Swiss postage stamps
overprinted “Société de Nations”
Lenticular printing A technology which produces
printed images with an illusion of depth or the ability to change or
move as the image is viewed from different angles. Examples of
lenticular printing include flip and animation effects such as
winking eyes, and modern advertising graphics that change their
message depending on the viewing angle. NZ stamps include 2004
Olympic Games set depicting gold medal winning events by NZers at
past Olympics.
Letter box A letter box has mail delivered to it by
postmen and is located at residences or business sites but may, for
example, in apartments be in a letter box ‘lobby’.
Letter card Postal stationery consisting of a
folded card with or without an imprinted postage stamp and gummed
outer edges. See also “Air mail letter cards”.
Letter of marque Government Permit allowing a
specific ship to sail without convoy, the more speedily to deliver
mail.
Letter sheet A sheet of paper that can be folded,
usually sealed (most often with sealing wax in the 18th and 19th
centuries), and mailed without the use of an envelope. Letter sheets
derive from the form of written correspondence before the mid-19th
century where letters were written on one or more sheets of paper
that were folded and sealed in such a way that the address could be
written on the outside. Letter sheets were also used by prisoners of
war for ease of censorship by captors. Letter sheets bearing
imprinted stamps are postal stationery. Letter sheets requiring
stamps have also been produced by private firms. Most country’s
postal authorities have issued letter sheets at some stage; however,
most have discontinued their use, except in the form of an aerogram.
See also “Air letter sheets”, “Air letter cards” and “Aerogram”.
Lettered cancellation A cancellation containing a
letter or letters within an oval of bars or consisting of a letter
with or without a border.
Letterpress halftone Printing process where an
image is photographed through a glass screen with fine grid patterns
onto a prepared copper plate negative. When the negative is
developed to high-contrast, the smooth gradation of the original
photograph is broken up into various sizes of dots. The coating on
the negative hardens relative to the amount of exposure to light
with shadows in the original image converted into large dots and
highlights becoming small or no dots. After un-exposed coating is
washed away, the plate is etched, resulting in a relief block for
printing. The plate is inked and pressed against paper resulting in
a photographic image made up of varying sizes of pure-black dots.
Letterpress Printing directly from the inked,
raised surface (relief surface) of the printing plate.
Letters et Carte (French) “Letters and
cards”. A category of International Mail that includes
letters, letter packages, aerogrammes and post cards.
Life Insurance stamps Postage stamps used on mail
of the Government Life Insurance Department of New Zealand.
Limited edition packs Special product produced by
NZ Post in limited numbers for many commemorative issues. The packs
may contain all or some of a booklet with in-depth information about
the issue; plate blocks of each stamp; a first cover signed by the
designer; colour separations of one of the stamps; a numbered
imperforate miniature sheet.
Line block Term relating to a block of stamps
showing the gutter lines which are printed to mark the divisions of
the stamp sheet into quarters or halves.
Line engraving Often used as synonym for
recess-printing but should be restricted to instances where the
design was cut in the die in a series of lines.
Line engraving Printing done from an intaglio plate
produced from a hand-engraved die and transfer roll rather than by
photographic or chemical means. The process uses a series of lines
to form the design in steel or copper plate to create a ‘Master’ Die
in reverse. The plate is then hardened and is impressed onto a
softer metal plate or roller. The roller is then hardened and the
design again transferred onto a thin plate that will form the
printing plate. See also “Gravure”. The FFQs were printed from
line-engraved plates.
Line pair A pair of coil stamps with a printed line
between them. Stamps produced on a flatbed press have a line from
the guideline between panes. Stamps produced on a rotary press have
a joint line from the space where ink collects between the sections
of curved rotary plates.
Line perforation In a line machine, the head or
punching part consists of a metal bar containing a single row of
pons with a corresponding row of holes in a bar or cutting part
fitted in the bed of the machine. The pins fit closely into the
holes so that the cutting edge formed by the mouth of each hole
removes a disc of paper. Where horizontal and vertical lines of
perforations cross there is, normally, some impingement of one hole
on another so that corners of stamps have an appearance
characteristic of the work of line or rotary machine differing from
that of comb machines.
Linen Postcards An American term and specific to
American postcards. Postcards produced on a distinctive textured
paper with a surface resembling the weave of linen fabric. Generally
dating from the 1920s to 1950s and usually have bright vibrant
colours.
Liner Coated paper used as a backing for mint
self-adhesive stamps. The liner allows the release of the stamp,
which may then be applied with pressure to envelope paper.
Linerless An experimental form of self-adhesive
coil stamp that requires no liner. The mint stamps are rolled upon
each other in a manner similar to adhesive tape. See US Scott 3132,
3133.
LIS Letter Information Sample/System
Lithography The process of printing from a stone or
zinc plate based upon the mutual repellence of grease and water. The
design is transferred to the stone by means of a special greasy
composition or by a photographic process. When water and printing
ink are rolled onto the surface the water covers the blank places
and the ink adheres to the design so that when paper is brought into
contact with the surface an impression is obtained.
LLM Lightly mounted mint
Local carriage labels Labels which prepay postage
in areas where the post office does not provide a collection or
delivery service.
Local stamps / Locals Stamp issues
used within a limited area of a town or district or over a
particular land, sea or air route. Local post mail requires the
addition of nationally or internationally valid stamps for further
service. Locals have been produced both privately and officially.
Logo Decorative initials or drawings which are the
trademark for the postcard publisher.
Logo block The section at the bottom right-hand
side of a sheet of stamps that contains the NZ Post logo.
London prints Postage stamps printed in London from
plates manufactured there.
Loose letter Term used to denote a letter arriving
at an office of delivery or transit without cancellation or postmark
of origin.
Love stamps Postage stamps issued for use on
greetings cards on St Valentine’s Day.
Lozenge An alternative plain and lined
diamond-shaped design surrounded the name INVICTA in a watermark
used in 1872 for the 2d full face. See also ‘Invicta”.
LQM Linear quality mark: rear marking on mail
processed by IMP
LRD Last recorded date of use. See also “Last day
cover”.
Luchtpost (Dutch) Airmail.
Luftfeldpost (German) Military airmail
Luftpost (German) Airmail
Lugpos (Afrikaans) Airmail
Luminescence The glow emitted by a stamp when put
under ultraviolet light.
Luminosity The brightness of the hue. See also
“Colour”
Lustre Force cCode name for New Zealand forces in
Greece and Italy during WW2.
M
Machin The name given to a well-known series of
British definitive stamps first issued in 1967. The design of the
stamp depicts a plaster portrait of Queen Elizabeth II created by
artist Arnold Machin.
Machine cancellation A cancellation applied by
means of a machine, hand, foot or electrically powered.
Machine label Postage stamp produced by a
micro-processor machine after insertion of coins of the required
value, popularly known as Frama stamps.
Madam Joseph Pseudonym for a forger of
cancellations struck on genuine unused postage stamps of the British
Commonwealth.
Magnifier A magnifying glass for the close
examination of stamps.
Mail Early block US marginal marking block with the
selvage bearing the inscription “Mail Early (in the Day)”. This
first appeared on US marginal selvage in 1968. It was subsequently
replaced by the copyright notice. ME blocks typically consist of
four or six stamps.
Mail index letter or number A letter or number
inserted in a date-stamp to indicate the period of the day during
which an article is dealt with in a post office. The letter or
number is changed after the closing of a mail and in readiness for
the next.
Mailcoach Horse drawn coaches used for the
transport of mail.
Mailomat A system of automatic stamps used in USA
and Canada using Pitney Bowes postage meters adapted for use as
coin-operated machines.
Mailsort was a five-digit address-coding scheme
used by Royal Mail and its business customers for the automatic
direction of mail until 2012. Mail users who could present mail
sorted by Mailsort code and in sufficient quantities received a
discounted postal rate.
Major varieties Variations of importance either in
type, colour, design or format from the basic design.
Make-ready see “Découpage”
Makeshift booklets US stamp booklets manufactured
using stamps normally issued in individual panes, packaged in
generic blue card In times of paper shortage, many countries have
printed stamps on paper normally used for other purposes e.g. Latvia
– cigarette paper, war maps or banknote paper.
Maltese Cross A cross of eight points, formed of
four triangles with their top points meeting in the centre and their
bases indented. Also used to describe the obliterating device used
in Great Britain to cancel early adhesive stamps in the period
1840-44 and thence the cancellation so marked.
Mandatory stamp See “postal tax stamp”.
Manilla paper A coarse strong paper of light
texture originally manufactured from manila hemp.
Manuscript cancellation A cancellation by the use
of a pen or pencil.
Manuscript overprint Handwriting applied to a
stamps face to denote some special use or particular value.
Map paper Paper used for Latvia’s first stamps
printed on German military maps.
Marcophily Postmark collecting.
Margin 1) The border of a plate and the side border
of a cylinder.
Margin 2) The border of a sheet of stamps,
synonymous with “Selvedge”.
Margin 3) The border surrounding the design of a
stamp. In a pair or block of stamps, the space between designs is
referred to as the “gutter”, the outside border being the margin.
The collectible grades of stamps are determined by the position of
the design in relation to the edge of the stamp as perforated or, in
the case of imperforate stamps, as cut from the sheet.
Margin wing The extra unprinted margin
Marginal advertising Announcement of commercial
nature printed in the sheet margins.
Marginal guide marks Marks in the margins of sheets
of stamps serving as a guide for the printer in perforating and
trimming the sheets.
Marginal inscription Inscriptions in sheet margins
of stamps which may include printer’s name.
Marianne Figure symbolising France featured on some
post war issues.
Marine post office Post office operating on board
ships.
MARITIME MAIL Machine cancel introduced in 1943 and
used until 1952. Mail taken ashore from naval vessels and during
WWII entitled to free postage but not always subsequently.
Master die An original die from which secondary
dies etc. are derived in the production of printing plates.
Mat A hard rubber plate used to apply overprints on
postage stamps.
Matched pair Two stamps from the same position of a
printing plate but printed at different times and in different
colours.
Matrix Printing term for a mould which is used to
describe the counterpart of a die.
Maximaphily Maximum card collecting.
Maximaphily exhibit An FIP class utilising maximum
cards which should conform to the principles of maximum possible
concordance between: (a) postage stamp (b) picture of the postcard
and (c) cancellation.
Maximum card A picture postcard, a cancel, and a
stamp presenting maximum concordance. The stamp is affixed to the
picture side of the card and is tied by the cancel. Collectors of
maximum cards seek to find or create cards with stamp, cancel and
picture in maximum agreement, or concordance. FIP regulations give
specific explanatory notes for the postage stamp, picture postcard,
cancel and the concordance of subject, place and time. The term
should not be applied where the picture side is a complete
reproduction of the stamp. However Royal Mail (see PHQ Cards) and
other authorities regularly issue postcards with enlarged
reproductions of the stamps, and incorrectly describe them as
maximum cards.
MB (Moveable Box) A post box on a quayside and
aboard packet boats in which mail could be posted up to the last
moment when the quayside box was taken aboard. On arrival at the
ship’s destination, the contents of the box were processed at the
nearest post office and postmarked MB or BM (Boite Mobile).
Service was discontinued at the outbreak of the second World War.
MDEC Manual Data Entry Centre
ME block US marginal marking block with the selvage
bearing the inscription “Mail Early (in the Day)”. This first
appeared on US marginal selvage in 1968. It was subsequently
replaced by the copyright notice. ME blocks typically consist of
four or six stamps.”
Mechanical A novelty postcard with some moving
parts. Include cards with levers or tabs to change part of the
displayed image; thumbwheels which when rotated update the display
of a calendar or clock; gramophone record postcards; squeakers; etc.
Medallions Name for the stamps of Belgium 1849-50.
Medals The level of achievement by an exhibit at an
exhibition is indicated by means of a ‘medal’ award. The
highest level is termed Large Gold and lower levels are in
descending order Gold, Large Vermeil, Vermeil, Large Silver, Silver,
Silver Bronze and Bronze. Traditionally the ‘medal’ was a cast metal
medallion, often coloured or otherwise marked to indicate the level,
but they are now more frequently a generic device (not necessarily a
medallion) presented as a memento for entering the exhibition.
Medium letter In NZ an envelope no more than 120 x
235 mm, 10 mm thick and, for air mail purposes, no more than 200 g.
MEF Middle East Forces WW2
Mermaid cancel Postmark used in Ireland
incorporating a figure as on the prow of a ship.
Merson French key type 1900-27 from the name of the
designer Luc-Olivier Merson.
Mesh A characteristic of the texture of
machine-made paper which arises from the pattern of the weave of the
wire forming the mould.
Message-Face Postcards A message area on the front,
picture side of the postcard. These were used during the undivided
back era when the address only was allowed on the back.
Metallic ink Ink which leaves a shiny surface when
it dries.
Metamorphic Alteration or change. A picture made up
of different pictures depending on how you look at it. Example: a
face of Napoleon may be composed of nude women.
Meter A machine that prints an impression, known as
a meter stamp, indicating the payment of postage. The machine
is metered and records the amounts which are periodically paid to
the post office. Meters were authorized by the UPU in 1920. They are
used today by volume mailers to cut the cost of franking mail. NZ is
one of the few countries in which meter stamps are usually cancelled
in the same manner as stamps. This was done so that, in the
event of a complaint by a meter user, there was evidence as to the
date of posting.
Meter mark /meter stamp The impression upon metered
mail which indicates postage has been paid. The usual components of
a meter mark are the country of issue; the date; the postal value;
the license number; the meter manufacturer (optional); and, a slogan
relating to the user (optional).
Meter tape Strip of gummed paper used for affixing
meter stamps to bulky objects.
Metered Mail Mail displaying a meter mark.
MH Mint hinged. See “mint”.
Micromosaic A process to create portraits from
hundreds of tiny images.
Micron A unit of measurement of the thickness of
paper. One millionth part of a metre.
Microprinting Extremely small letters or numbers
added to the designs of selected US stamps as a security feature. In
most cases, 8-power magnification or greater is needed to read
microprinting.
Microprocessor Equipment capable of microscopic
printing.
Mileage marks Postal markings which include the
name of a place and a number indicating its distance from a central
reference point, usually the capital of the country concerned.
Military Franchise stamps Stamps permitting
military forces to send letters etc. free of postage. See also “FM”.
Miller, Truebridge & Reich Commercial
partnership which developed and marketed advertising on stamps. See
“advertising stamps”
Millésime (French) Numbers recording the
year of printing on certain stamps of France.
MILY ADM Abbreviation for “Military
Administration”, an overprint on Indian stamps
Mimeograph Similar to Cyclostyle (see also).
Miniature (midget) Novelty cards of the size 3½ x
2¾ in (90 x 70 mm), half the usual postcard size. Produced in the
early 1900s. Midget postcards featuring the actresses of the
Edwardian era were a popular novelty of that time. There were also
Giant postcards, bookmark postcards, panorama, and court size.
Miniature sheet A smaller-than-normal pane of
stamps issued smaller than normal and often containing only one
stamp or specimen of each denomination in a series. A miniature
sheet is usually has marginal markings or text indicating the sheet
was issued in conjunction with, or to commemorate, some event. See
also “Souvenir sheet”.
Minor varieties Slight variations from the normal
stamp, of interest to specialist collectors.
Mint condition Postcard having no writing and not
posted. These cards have a “brand new” appearance and do not have
corner or edge bumps.
Mint In practice, the term is used to refer to any
stamp that appears to be unused, including those without gum, or
previously hinged. Unlike other collectibles, a mint stamp may be in
poor condition but still be regarded as being in mint state as long
as it is apparently unused. Variations of the term mint include:
mint never hinged (MNH); mint hinged (MH); mounted mint (MM); mint
no gum (MNG); and unmounted mint (UM).
Mint hinged (MH) An unused stamp, normally with
full gum (if so issued), which has been hinged. Removal of the
hinge will remove some of the original gum or leave a remnant of the
hinge. Also termed mounted mint (MM).
Mint never hinged (MNH) A stamp in the same state
as issued by a post office: unused, undamaged and with full original
gum (if issued with gum) when it is said to have its ‘original gum’
(O.G.). Over time, handling, light and atmospheric conditions may
affect the mint state of stamps. See also “Unused”.
Mint no gum (MNG) The stamp appears to be unused
but has no gum. It might have been used but not cancelled, or have
been issued without gum.
Mirror image An offset negative or reverse
impression.
Mirror print An impression which is a mirror image
of the intended stamp design.
Misplaced colour Shift of colour caused by the
printing process.
Mission mixture The lowest grade of stamp mixture
containing unsorted but primarily common stamps on paper, as
purchased from missions or other institutions. See also “Bank
mixture”.
Missionaries The first stamps of Hawaii, issued
1851-52.
Mixed franking Term used by collectors to denote
covers bearing the stamps of two or more countries.
Mixed perforation These varieties are similar in
form to double perforations of line or rotary machines, but the term
“mixed” is used to indicate that a machine with a different gauge
has been employed for re-perforating. It is, of course, essential
that stamps with double perf or with mixed perforations should show
both the original row and the new row of perforations. It was the
usual practice of the NZ Stamp Printer to gum strips of paper on the
backs of the sheets over rows of perforations out of position or
defectively executed. The new rows frequently cut through the strips
of paper. Sheets of stamps re-perforated by means of a machine of
different gauge may give rise to irregular compound varieties as
well as mixed perforations. Two sheets of the 1907 pictorial 5/- had
mixed perforations on the stamps in the bottom row and irregular
compound perforations on stamps in the adjacent row. See also
“Compound perforation”.
Mixed postage The franking on a cover bearing the
stamps of two or more stamp-issuing entities, properly used.
Mixture A large group of stamps, understood to
contain duplication. A mixture is said to be unpicked or picked. A
picked mixture may have had stamps removed by a collector or dealer.
MLO Mechanised Letter Office
MM Mounted mint. See “mint”.
MNG Mint no gum. See “mint”.
MNH Mint never hinged. See “mint”.
Mobile PO Savings Bank Specially fitted vans which
operated in Wellington and Auckland. Mail matter was handled
and stamps cancelled with distinctive date-stamps.
Mobile Post Office Vehicle, generally in railroad
cars, streetcars, trucks or buses equipped for use as a travelling
post office.
Modern era For postcards, mid 1970s or later,
usually continental size 4 x 6 in (100 x 150mm).
Moiré A pattern of wavy lines simulating watered
silk, printed on postage stamps as a security device.
Money letter Letter containing coin or banknotes.
Monster (Dutch) Specimen
Mother die The original engraved die in line
engraving.
Mouchon French key type of 1900 named after
designer Eugène Louis Mouchon.
Mould Counterparts of a die used for shaping or
casting metal to form a printing plate.
Mount A stamp hinge.
Mount Acetate holders, clear on the front and with
some sort of adhesive on the back. Collectors use mounts to affix
stamps or covers to album or exhibit pages.
Mount Everest Expedition Poster designed to raise
funds for the 1924 Everest Expedition.
Mounted mint (MM) Unused stamp showing traces of
stamp mounts on reverse. The same as mint hinged (MH).
Mounting Term for sticking a stamp on an album page
by means of a hinge.
Mounts Vinyl or plastic holders, clear on the front
and with gum on the back. Stamps and philatelic items are placed
inside the mounts which are then stuck into an album.
Mourning cover Mourning letters, cards, stationery
identified normally by their black border are messengers of grief.
Mourning stamps Special stamps released in mourning
for heads of state and other important people.
Moveable Box see “MB”.
MPO Mobile Post Office.
Mrs Simpson facsimiles Facsimiles of letters
carried by balloon from Paris during the siege 1870/1 addressed to
Mrs Simpson of London and bearing copies of the appropriate stamps
and postal markings.
MTT Machine de tri a tasseurs (French)
“sheet sorting machine”
Muestra (Spanish) Specimen applied to
stamps distributed by the UPU.
Mulready The first letter sheets and envelopes
officially issued in Great Britain in 1840 designed by William
Mulready with prepaid postage and a pictorial motif.
Mulready caricature The official Mulready cover and
envelope was not popular. Private firms printed envelopes and covers
in many designs ridiculing the official stationery, resulting in its
disuse. The caricatures did not prepay postage and ordinary adhesive
stamps had to be affixed.
Multicolour More than two colours.
Multilingual Back A backing that has Post Card
written in a variety of languages.
Multilingual postmarks and stamps Postmarks and
stamps inscribed in two or more languages.
Multiple An unseparated group of stamps including
at least two stamps, but fewer than the number included in a full
pane.
Multiple watermark Term used by philatelists to
refer to an “All-over watermark”.
Multiview A card with multiple pictures.
Munich pink First printing of Swiss Strubel stamps
in 1854
Muster (German) Specimen.
Mute cancellation Obliterations void of any
inscription to denote time and place of postings. See also “Dumb
cancel”.
N
Name Band Postcards Modern Chrome
postcards with a large band across the postcard announcing the name
of a town, state or specified place.
Name Tablet That part of a key type in which the
name of the country is inserted.
Napier Perforation Perforations from machines
constructed by David Napier & Sons, Lambeth.
National (non-FIP) classes Competitive classes at a
National Exhibition which are not “FIP classes”. At National
exhibitions any or all of the competitive “FIP classes” are also
offered. The National classes do not qualify an exhibit for
competition at an International exhibition.
National exhibition An exhibition which is held
under the patronage of a National Federation. Exhibits entered
in FIP classes with one or five frames and meet the FIP requirements
are “qualifying exhibits” and may be entered in International
exhibitions.
Native paper Crude, handmade paper produced locally
from native products, as opposed to finer, machine-made paper.
Naval mail Mail from ships of navies of various
countries.
Ne pas livrer le dimanche (French) “Do not
deliver on Sundays”. See also “Dominical Label”.
Network A security pattern printed on stamp paper
usually before the stamp designs are printed.
Never hinged (NH) A stamp without hinge marks. A
never-hinged (NH) stamp usually has original gum, but this is not
always the case.
New issue service A dealer or issuing authority
service that automatically supplies subscribers with new issues of a
given country. Dealers may also offer the service for several
countries or topics. The issues provided are determined by a
prearranged standing order that defines the quantity and types of
issues.
New Year Stamps Special stamps to commemorate the
New Year.
New Zealand Philatelic Federation Formed on 13
March 1948 as the Federation of New Zealand Philatelic Societies the
name was changed to its current form in 1985. The Federation
represents affiliated New Zealand philatelic societies, stamp clubs
and the NZ Postcard Society.
New Zealand Post Ltd (NZ Post) On 1 April 1987 the
New Zealand Post Office (NZPO) was corporatised and its core
businesses split into three separate companies – Telecom, Post Bank
and New Zealand Post. Each company was set up as a State-Owned
Enterprise (SOE) and was expected to operate as a commercial entity
New Zealand Post Office (NZPO) Renamed from former
Post & Telegraph Department in 1959. On 1 April
1987 it was corporatised and split into three entities one of which
was “New Zealand Post Ltd” (see also).
New Zealand Stamp Dealers’ Association (NZSDA) The
association was formed in 1969 as a body of individuals or companies
whose principal activity is dealing in philatelic goods (postage
stamps and postal history). The NZSDA aims to maintain standards in
the industry and members are expected to adhere to a Code of Ethics.
Newspaper stamp Stamp issued specifically for the
prepayment of mailing rates for newspapers, periodicals and printed
matter. In NZ a ½d stamp with a portrait of Queen Victoria facing to
the left and inscribed NEWSPAPER POSTAGE. The die used to produce
electrotypes was a woodblock. The design was also printed on
wrappers.
Newspaper Tax Stamps Impressed or adhesive stamps
used for the prepayment of tax on newspapers and periodicals.
NF Overprint on Nyasaland stamps for Nyasaland
Rhodesian Field Forces in German East Africa 1916-1918.
NH Never hinged.
Nightrider Special overnight parcel delivery
service of Royal Mail.
Nippon (Japanese) Japan
No VR See “VR”.
Non Value Indicated (NVI) Stamps Usually aimed to
be the standard post rate. This eliminates the need for printing new
stamps or overprinting stamps when a new postage rate occurs.
Non-denominated A stamp with no numerical
inscription designating the face value. The value of some
non-denominated stamps is marked by a designated letter. Others may
have a service inscription that indicates the rate the stamp
fulfils. Such stamps can be used for the same level of service
following a postage rate increase (eg. KiwistampsTM)
Non-value indicator stamp (NVI) A stamp which bears
no monetary inscription, but shows the class of postage (1st, 2nd)
instead. The term was used by Royal Mail and is now also used by
other postal administrations for their equivalent non-denominated
stamps. Many countries also adopt a special description for NVI
stamps e.g. US ‘Forever’, Canada ‘Permanent’, NZ ‘Kiwi Stamp’.
Novelty Any postcard that deviates in any way from
the norm. Postcards with mechanical features; have articles attached
to them (e.g. hair, feathers, flowers, glass eyes, bags of salt,
metal medallions, paper appliqué, silk or other materials); printed
in an unusual size, shape or on strange materials (e.g. timber,
celluloid, leather); or, have holes in which fingers can be inserted
to make the postcard figures appear to have real arms, legs, or even
a nose.
NPAD NZ Post maintains an index of “delivery
points” known as the National Postal Address Database.
Number in bars postmark Early form of
cancellations.
Numbered /numeral cancellation A cancellation
containing a number or a number with a letter as a means of
identifying the office of posting..
NZ Government Life Insurance Department Special
stamps for this department were used from 2 January 1891 until 1
December 1989 after the department was privatised to become Tower
Corporation. They were first introduced because the department
refused to pay a charge assessed by the Post Office.
NZ Post “New Zealand Post Ltd”
NZ Post International Mail Centre Incoming items
are screened by Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries
(MPI). NZ Post then delivers the item. However, if further
information is required, or charges have to be paid, the item will
be held and the addressee advised by letter. The letter will usually
say the goods are awaiting Customs clearance, and enclose a Customs
invoice. When the addressee has responded with the information
and/or payment, NZ Post will release the item. Items passed through
the centre may have been opened and resealed of have other markings
indicating that it has been passed by Customs or MPI.
NZPF “New Zealand Philatelic Federation”
NZPO “New Zealand Post Office”
NZSDA “New Zealand Stamp Dealers’ Association”
O
OAT abbreviation for Onward Air Transmission. An
OAT cachet was applied to the top letter in a tied bundle of 60
letters. Most were applied 1943-1946 at Lindon Post Office – Foreign
Section. It enabled air travel of letters beyond London whether paid
for or not.
Obligatory tax stamps Stamps issued for the
collection of funds for national or philanthropic purposes.
Their use is usually compulsory on all letters on certain days or
periods in addition to ordinary postage stamps. See also “postal tax
stamp”.
Oblique roulette A type of separation in which the
cuts are aslant and parallel. Also known as “Percé en lignes oblique“. See also “roulette”.
Obliteration 1) A cancellation intended solely to
deface a stamp-also called a killer.
Obliteration 2) An overprint intended to deface a
portion of the design of a stamp, such as the face of a deposed
ruler.
Obsolescent Stamps about to go off sale.
Obsolete A stamp no longer available from post
offices, although possibly still postally valid.
Occupation stamps Stamps overprinted or specially
issued for use in territory occupied by military forces.
OCP Ordinary Coated Paper
OCR Optical Character Recognition
Oddity Oddities are examples that don’t fit in the
category of error or freak. Test stamps, for instance, were printed
to test dispensing machines. They were never meant for public
distribution. There are a couple of other examples, such as stamps
on which no design has been printed or where the perforations were
made for one format, say for coils (rolls of stamps), but then the
stamps were actually used in booklets, so it looks like a
mis-perforation but it really isn’t. It’s not a freak; it’s an
oddity.
Odontometre Instrument for measuring the number of
perforation holes in a length of 2cm. See also “Perforation Gauge”.
OE Office of Exchange
Off paper Used stamps which have been soaked off
their backing paper.
Off-centre A stamp design that is not centred in
relation to the edges of the stamp. Generally, off-centre stamps are
less desirable than stamps more nearly centred in relation to the
edges. Stamps that are extremely off-centre may be added to
collections as production freaks.
Offices abroad Postal Agency of one country in
another. At various times, many nations have maintained post offices
in other countries, usually because of the unreliability of the
local postal system. In China and the Turkish Empire, especially,
many foreign nations maintained their own postal systems as part of
their extraterritorial powers. Usually, special stationery and
stamps were used by these offices. Most consisted of overprints on
the regular issues of the nation maintaining the offices.
Official labels Printed labels provided by Postal
Authorities to denote services rendered other than those prepaid by
means of postage stamps.
Official Paid Inscription on postmarks, stationery
and adhesive labels used by government departments instead of
official stamps or handstruck or machine stamps.
Official stamp A stamp intended to indicate the
payment of postage of Members of Parliament and Government
Departments.
Official Stamp or stationery issued solely for the
use of government departments and officials. In many countries such
items may be available to collectors in unused condition from the
postal authority.
Official stamps Stamps for use on government
correspondence. Are either especially printed, overprinted or having
perfins with the words OFFICIAL or its equivalent. Stamps
overprinted OFFICIAL were first issued on 2 January 1907.
Stamps in a distinctive design and inscribed OFFICIAL were in use
from 1 March 1954 until 31March 1965. See also “NZ Government Life
Insurance Department” and “OPSO”.
Offset 1) An adaptation of lithography where a
cylindrical plate prints on to a rubber cylinder and this print is
then transferred or offset on to a sheet of paper. This method
was used for the 9d pictorial from 1936-1941.
Offset 2) If a sheet of paper does not pass through
the printing machine, the pressure roller will take up an inked
impression from the plate and this will be transferred to the back
of the next sheet of stamps printed, the offset print being in
reverse. Good examples are found in the 1898 pictorials.
See also “Set-off”.
Offset lithography Printing process in which the
image on the printing plate is not applied directly to the paper but
printed first onto a rubber covered cylinder which deposits the
image on to the paper.
OG / og Original Gum.
OHMS Abbreviation for On His (or Her) Majesty’s
Service. Used in perfins, overprints or franks and postal stationery
to indicate Official use in the British Commonwealth.
Oilette A brand name for process used by Raphael
Tuck & Sons. This name was used by the company to describe
several very different kinds of printing techniques.
Oilfasism A term used by Raphael Tuck & Sons’
for postcards that have “brush strokes” giving the postcard an oil
painting look.
Omnibus issue An issue released by several postal
entities to celebrate a common theme. Omnibus issues may or may not
share a key-type design.
On paper Stamps (usually postally used) that are
affixed to portions of original envelope or wrapper. Often used to
describe stamps prior to soaking.
On piece A stamp on a portion of the original
envelope or wrapper showing all or most of the cancel. Stamps on
piece are usually saved that way.
On public service only “OPSO”. See also “Government
Department printed frank” and “Official stamps”.
One frame exhibit Where the exhibit is in a
discipline of one of the FIP classes, an FIP class; otherwise a
National (non-FIP) class. The purpose for One Frame Exhibits has
been twofold: (a) to provide for collectors the opportunity to show
exhibits on a narrow theme and which are suitable due to their
limited subject or limited available material to development in one
frame; or, (b) to provide for new exhibitors at club, regional or
even national level an easy way to start their exhibiting career. At
international exhibitions it is expected that one frame entries
would comply with purpose (a)
One-frame exhibition A specialised national
exhibition where all entries are of one-frame.
Open exhibit An exhibit in an FIP class. Open
Philately seeks to broaden the range of exhibiting and to allow
philatelists to include objects from other collecting fields in
support of, and in order to develop, an understanding of the
philatelic material shown. The philatelic material must be at least
50% of the exhibit.
OPSO Impressed by means of a rubber stamp on NZ
stamps and used between 1891 and 1906 by the Post Office on
official, on public service only, mail sent overseas.
Opt Overprint
Optical character reader (OCR) An automated mail
processing machine that optically scans letter mail, locates the
address and translates the address information into a bar code
representation of the ZIP+4 delivery point bar code.
OR (French) Origin Rurale “rural
origin”. A handstruck mark applied to mail applied to mail handed to
a letter carrier in rural areas of France.
Orb watermark Representation of part of the British
Regalia showing the globe surmounted by a cross used as a watermark
device.
Original A term used to denote a stamp officially
issued for postal use as opposed to a reprint.
Original gum The adhesive coating on a mint or
unused stamp or envelope flap applied by a postal authority or
security printer, usually before the item was issued. Upon request
of stamp collectors, postal authorities have at times offered to add
gum to items first issued un-gummed. See also “Re-gummed”.
OS overprint or perfin used 1913 to 1930 on
Australian states and Commonwealth stamps denoting Official Service
Out of Register One or more colours in printing
being out of alignment with the others.
Over Sized The standard postcard size during the
Golden Age was 3½ x 5½ in (90 x 140 mm); the standard modern
postcard (Continental) size is 4 x 6 in (100 x 150 mm). Any card
larger than these sizes is considered oversized.
Overland Mail Term for mail on any route across
western Asia.
Overlay Packing substance used in relief printing
(letterpress) to ensure that proper pressure is applied to each part
of the stamp’s design at the time of printing.
Overnight delivery stamps High value stamps issued
in USA to prepay special handling fees on express packets sent
overnight. Similar services were often provided in other countries
by express mail.
Overprint An inscription printed on the front of a
stamp to indicate some special use (e.g. “Official”) or for any
purpose other than to alter of confirm the face value (for which see
“Surcharge”).
Overseas Dominions essay Printer’s sample stamp
produced by De La Rue to solicit orders from prospective customers.
Overseas Mail Branch At Auckland, Wellington
Christchurch and Dunedin special branches called ‘foreign mail
branch’ or ‘overseas mail branch’ handled mails for despatch beyond
NZ. They have used distinctive cancellations. Overseas mail items
now arrive at the Auckland-based “NZ Post International Mail
Centre”.
OVO Outward Vouching Office: distribution office
for designated postcode area.
Oxidation / Oxidized Darkening of
the ink on certain stamps caused by contact with air or light. Some
inks used to print stamps, especially oranges, may in time turn
brown or black. Stamps whose colour was originally red, yellow or
orange which have turned deep brown or black due to atmospheric
pollution.
OXO postmark One of the obliterators used to cancel
British forces mail in the Crimean war (1854-57).
P
P & T Department See “Post & Telegraph
Department”
Packet 1) A pre-sorted selection of all-different
stamps, a common and economical way to begin a general collection;
Packet 2) a ship operating on a regular schedule
and contracted by a government or post office to carry mail.
Packet letter A letter carried by a ship operating
on a regular schedule and carrying mail by contract with a
government or a post office. To defray costs the letter rate was
higher than the private vessels. Letters were marked “Packet”. See
also “Ship Letter”.
PAF Postcode Address File
PAG Pay and Go
Paid postmark A postmark usually applied indicating
prepayment of postage in cash rather than by an adhesive.
Pair Two stamps joined horizontally. See also
“Vertical pair”.
Pakke-Porto Parcel post stamps issued by
Royal Greenland Trading Company.
Palimpsest Re-used Parchment. Material upon which
two or more writings are found, one superimposed upon the other. The
earlier writing was supposed to be erased but is often visible as
well as the more recent.
Palms French Colony key type used in West Africa
1906-1913.
Pane (1) A block of stamps separated by a gutter
and comprising part of a sheet (e.g. the sheets of the 1d to 1/-
side- faces contained four panes of 60).
Pane (2) The block of stamps in a booklet.
Panel Card A novelty postcard printed onto very
thick card, designed to be framed or otherwise displayed by the
recipient.
Pantograph Instrument for mechanically copying a
flat design on the same or an altered scale.
Paper error Stamps printed on paper of the wrong
colour or watermark.
Paper makers watermark A normal watermark
incorporating the maker’s name.
Paper The usual material on which stamps are
printed. Several varieties exist. See also “Bluish paper”, “Laid
paper”, “Wove paper” and “Watermarks”.
Papers De La Rue, Jones, Cowan, Wiggins Teape,
Waterlow, Esparto, Coarse, Pirie
Papier maché mould Stereos (see also) are often
cast from a mould made of Papier Maché. See also “Flong”.
Papillon de Metz (French) Message carried
by balloon from Metz during siege August-October 1870.
Paquebot (French) “packet boat” and an
international term for mail posted on board ship. Cancellation
indicating an item was mailed aboard a ship.
Par Avion (French) “By Air”. It appears on
airmail etiquettes of most countries, along with a similar phrase in
the predominant language of the country of origin.
Par ballon monté (French) By manned
balloon.
Par ballon non monté (French) By unmanned
balloon.
Parachute mail A form of airmail in which mail is
delivered by parachute from an aeroplane.
Paraph A flourish of a signature or the contraction
of a signature see overprinted stamps of Cuba used in Puerto Rico
1873-76.
Parcel label Adhesive label issued to every GB Post
Office in 1883 to affix to parcels, used until 1918.
Parcel post stamps Special stamps created for
payment of parcel post fees.
Parcel postmark A postal marking used for parcel
post.
Parcel stamps Adhesives used for the prepayment of
parcel postage.
Parcelforce Name of Royal Mail parcel service.
Parliamentary envelopes Pre-printed stationery that
could only be bought and posted by Members of Parliament from 16
January 1840 following the abolition of franking of letters by
Members from 10 January. This ceased once adhesives were issued on 6
May 1840
Part perforation A stamp where the perforation is
incomplete.
Part-perforate A stamp with all perforations
missing on one or more sides, but with at least one side perforated.
Paste-up The ends of rolls of coiled stamps joined
together with glue or tape.
Patriotic cover Pictorial covers with a patriotic
theme used in wartime to raise morale.
PD A handstamp applied to covers indicating postage
has been paid to destination.
Peace & Commerce French and Colonial key type
introduced in 1876.
Peace & Navigation French Colonial key type
adopted in 1892.
Pearls Design feature consisting of solid or
outlined circles.
Pebbled Paper Slightly textured
embossing giving the paper an egg shell appearance.
Peel and Stick Australian terminology for
self-adhesive.
Pelure paper (French) “skin” or “peel”. Pelure paper is
thin, often brittle, semi-transparent paper and can be either woven
or laid and is rendered semi-transparent by the resins used in the
manufacturing of the paper. Stamps printed on pelure paper sometimes
do not survive wholly intact because of their brittle nature. Pelure
is easily identified because of its transparency. Sometimes this
paper is compared to onionskin paper. In NZ used by Davies for
supply of some FFQ in 1863.
Pen cancelled Stamps cancelled with an ink pen or
marker pen rather than a handstamp or machine cancel. Many early
stamps were routinely cancelled by pen. A pen cancel may also
indicate that a stamp was used as a fiscal. Modern stamps may be pen
cancelled if a sorting clerk or delivery carrier notices a stamp has
been missed by a cancelling machine.
Penalty stationery and stamps Stationery or stamps
intended for use on official correspondence in the US with a warning
printed on the envelope or stamps that improper use may incur a
penalty.
Pennants Popular location type card with add on
pennant flag usually made of felt.
Penny Black The black 1-penny British stamp issued
6 May 1840, bearing the portrait of Queen Victoria. It is the
world’s first adhesive stamp issued for the prepayment of postage.
Penny Dominion A stamp adapted from the “Penny
Universal” with the words “DOMINION OF” added at the top. First
issued over a period from 1909 to 1926.
Penny post A postal service delivering letters
within a limited area for a penny.
Penny red 1d stamps of Great Britain successors to
the Penny Black.
Penny Universal A stamp bearing a symbolic figure,
often called “Zealandia” was issued on 1 January 1901 to commemorate
the adoption by New Zealand of the universal penny postage. It
became established as the definitive issues the 1d value. See also
Penny “Dominion”.
Percé (French) Pierced
Percé en arc (French) Arc pierced.
Percé en lignes (French) Line pierced.
Percé en lignes de couleur (French) Line
pierced in colour.
Percé en lignes obliques (French) Pierce
in oblique lines.
Percé en losanges (French) Lozenge
pierced.
Percé en pointes (French) Zig-Zag pierced.
Percé en points (French) Pin Pierced or
perforated
Percé en scie (French) Saw toothed
pierced.
Percé en serpentine (French) Pierced in
wavy lines.
Perçue (French) paid
Percussion à froid (French) Method of
striking dies and punches in cold metal.
Perfins Derived from PERforated
INitialS, perfins are stamps with
perforations through the face of identifying initials, designs or
holes in coded positions. Normally used by a business or government
office to discourage pilferage or misuse of stamps by employees,
perfins may be either privately or officially produced. (also known
as ‘SPIFS’ meaning “Stamps Perforated for Individuals or Firms”)
(compare also with “Precancels”)
Perforation A series of holes cut in the paper to
facilitate separation of stamps. The gauge of the perforations
is determined by the number of holes in a distance of 2cm. All
types of perforation machines consist of a punching part and a
cutting part. For types of perforations see “Blind perforation”,
“Comb perforation”, Double comb”, “Triple comb”, Compound
perforation”, “Double perforations”, Imperf variety”, Imperf
between”, “Imperf horizontally or vertically”, “Imperf on three
sides”, “Line perforation”, “Mixed perforation”, ”Rotary
perforation” and “Triple perforation”. See also “Chad”.
Perforation gauge A scale printed or designed on
metal, transparent or opaque plastic, cardboard or other material to
measure the number of perforation holes or teeth within the space of
2 cm. One gauge was invented by J A Legrand who gave it the name
“Odontométre”.
Perkins Bacon process The method of producing line
engraved plates invented by Jacob Perkins.
Perkins paper An azure safety paper invented by Dr
Perkins and used on the 1855-6 and other GB issues.
Perkins process Jacob Perkins invented the process
of transferring an impression from an engraving on a flat steel
plate to a steel roller to lay down the requisite number of
impressions of a flat metal plate.
Perkins, Bacon & Co Ltd Played an important
part in the production of NZ stamps. They supplied the plates for
the FFQs and printed the first supplies of the 1d, 2d and 1/-
values. Then in 1908 they applied the Perkins process to the
production of a relief-engraved plate.
Permit Franking by the imprint of a number and
additional information that identifies a mailer’s prepaid postage
account, thereby eliminating the need to affix and cancel stamps on
large mailings. The mailer must obtain a document (permit) that
authorizes his use of this procedure.
Permit mailing The authorised posting of mail
without adhesive stamps.
Personal delivery stamps Stamps issued to ensure
that mail was delivered to the addressee only.
Personalised stamp A stamp, with or without an
adjoining label, on which, for a fee, an image or text of the
purchaser’s choosing may be placed. Personalised stamp sheets (or
P-Stamps) were first issued by Australia Post in 1999. However, the
stamps vary from country to country. While some are normal stamps
with a personalised label on the left attached by perforations,
elsewhere the stamps are more properly regarded as one-piece
personalised meter stamps with a colourful design next to the
indicia.
Personalised stamp sheets were
first issued by NZ Post in 2005. The stamps in the sheet are normal
stamps with an adjacent label attached by perforations on which, for
a fee, an image or text of the purchaser’s choosing may be placed.
PF (French) Payée à Frontier.
Postage prepaid to the frontier of a country.
Phantasy A bogus stamp.
Phantom philately The collection of bogus stamps.
The name is derived from Frederick Melville’s book Phantom
Philately, one of the pioneer works on bogus issues.
Philatelic Agencies Commercial organisations which
handle the philatelic sales and publicity of a country’s stamps.
Philatelic Bureau Agency which handles the sale of
philatelic items.
Philatelic Congress of Great Britain Initiated at
Manchester in 1909 and comprises of an affiliation of Philatelic
Societies throughout Great Britain.
Philatelic cover An envelope, postal card or other
item franked and mailed by a stamp collector to create a collectible
object. It may or may not have carried a personal or business
message. A non-philatelic cover is usually one that has carried
business or personal correspondence and has had its stamps applied
by a non-collector. Some stamps are known only on collector-created
covers. It is impossible to say whether some covers are
philatelically inspired or not. See also “Used” and “Postally used”.
Philatelic document Document giving details of a
stamp with a space for the stamp itself (see
Document Philatelique Officiel).
Philatelic exhibition Stamp show open to the public
sponsored by stamps clubs, dealers or the postal authorities.
Philatelic handling labels Labels provided by some
postal authorities for collectors to affix to covers to obtain
careful handling.
Philatelic Literature exhibition An exhibition
comprised of philatelic literature entries. Such an exhibition
may be completely stand-alone or operate in association with a
philatelic exhibition.
Philatelic literature Philatelic literature is held
by stamp collectors and dealers, philatelic societies, and general
and specialist libraries. Philatelic literature is generally divided
into the following categories: stamp catalogues; periodicals
(journals and society newsletters); auction catalogues; books;
bibliographies of philatelic literature; and, background material
(non-philatelic material useful to stamp collectors e.g. currency
exchange rates, maps, newspapers, etc.). The material may be in hard
copy or electronic media. Philately is believed to produce more
books, journals and periodicals than any other.
Philatelic Youth Council of New Zealand “PYC”. The
Council’s mission is to promote youth philately throughout New
Zealand and to encourage youth stamp collecting and exhibiting in
general.
Philatelic-numismatic combination A cover bearing a
stamp and containing a coin, medal or token. The coin and stamp are
usually related in such cases; often the cover is cancelled on the
first day of use of the coin.
Philatelist A student of postage stamps.
Philately The collection and study of postage
stamps, postal stationery and postal history.
Phonopost Or “Fonopost” was an experimental postal
service in Argentina to record a person’s voice and deliver the
resulting recording by mail. The service was demonstrated at the
Postal Union Congress in Buenos Aires in 1939 and approved by the
UPU. Argentina issued three stamps to mail the records. Special
mobile recording vans were used to make the recordings which used 8
in, 78rpm acetate gramophone records. As a service approved by the
UPU other countries used similar services. The approved status of
Phonopost was removed at the Tokyo UPU congress in 1969.
Phosphor A chemical substance used to overprint,
ink or impregnate stamps in their production to activate machines
that automatically cancel mail. The machines react to the phosphor
under ultraviolet light. In 1959, Great Britain began to print
phosphor lines on some of its stamps. See also “Tagging”.
Phosphor dots and bars Patterns of dots or bars
produced by phosphorescent substances applied to mail to translate
the postcode from an alpha numeric sequence to a medium which can be
read by sorting machines.
Phosphor graphite Stamps of Great Britain issued in
1959 with graphite lines on back and phosphor lines (see also) on
the front.
Phosphor Lines Bands of phosphorescent material
printed on the face of stamps to activate letter facing and
cancelling machines and sort into first and second class.
Photochrom German word for colour photo this term
refers to a lithographic method of converting black and white
photographs into colour lithographs. The Detroit Publishing Company
held the exclusive North American rights to this process.
Photographic Cards Coming into their own
recognition as art cards are the fantastic photographic art cards.
These real photo art studies of beautiful women, children, lovers,
etc., are often hand tinted in great detail and in colours which
almost defy description. Also made popular were the photomontage
techniques which allow photos to be altered into original art
creations.
Photogravure An intaglio printing process that is a
form of intaglio printing. Plates are made photographically and
chemically, rather than by hand engraving a die and transferring it
to a plate. The ink in this process rests in the design depressions.
The surface of the printing plate is wiped clean. The paper is
forced into the depressions and picks up the ink, in a manner much
like the line-engraved printing process.
Photolithography A process of multiplying a design
by repeated photographic exposure.
PHQ Cards Postcards reproducing postage stamps
produced by Royal Mail since 1973.
Pictorial date stamp postcards A special postcard
introduced in 1976 for subscribers to the post office’s pictorial
date-stamp service. This service, for a fee, enabled subscribers to
obtain each pictorial date stamp used at special post offices or
used to mark commemorative occasions. A range of card designs and
indicia have been used.
Pictorial Stamp bearing a picture of some sort,
other than a portrait or coat of arms.
Pictorial postmarks Hand struck marks and machine
cancels which include a pictorial element.
Pigeon post Messages carried by pigeon, often on
flimsies or in the form of microfilm. Examples include 1870 – 1872
Franco-Prussian war during the siege of Paris and in New Zealand the
Great Barrier Pigeongram Service.
Pigment Colouring matter in printing ink.
Pillar box A type of free-standing post box. First
used in 1852 and generally painted red, the red pillar box is a
British cultural icon.
Pillars Narrow lined rectangles forming a type of
ornamentation in the pane gutters on a stamp sheet.
Pin perforation (French Percé en points)
Type of stamp separation applied by piercing the paper with sharp
pointed pins.
Pin roulette Holes are pricked in the paper.
Sometimes erroneously termed a pin-perforation. See “roulette”
Pioneers Postcards issued before the Act of
Congress in 1898 which removed the US Postal Service monopoly to
produce postcards.. They carry instructions on the back, such as,
“Write the address only on this side – the message on the other”,
“Nothing but address can be placed on this side” or “This side for
address only”.
PIP Pricing in Proportion
Pirie paper see Alex Pirie & Co Ltd.
Planographic A printing process that includes
“lithography” and “offset”.
Planography Printing from a smooth surface that is
neither raised nor recessed.
Plate The printing base most commonly used in the
production of stamps. It may be made of steel, copper, zinc or
alloys such as type metal. Many plates have been protected by a
coating of nickel of chrome. Early stamps were printed from flat
plates while curved or cylindrical plates are now generally used.
See also “Cylinder” and “Sleeve”.
Plate marking A figure, letter or combination of
the two used to identify a plate. Also the printer’s imprint,
registration marks and arrows, etc., printed on the selvedge of the
sheet. See also “T-mark”.
Plate number coils (PNC) 1) A plate number coil
stamp; that is, a stamp from a coil that is inscribed with a plate
number. The abbreviations PNC3 and PNC5 identify strips of three or
five coil stamps with the PNC located in the centre position of the
strip.
Plate number Numerals or an alphanumeric
combination that identifies the printing plate used to print postage
stamp images. See “Plate marking”.
Plate number/imprint block Commonly the bottom
left-hand corner of a sheet of stamps containing the plate number,
name of the printer, designer and sometimes other information. For
example, the block may also include the colour bars used by the
printer during the printing process. Some stamp production methods,
like booklet production, normally cut off plate numbers. In the US,
plate number blocks are collected normally as blocks of four to 20
stamps, depending on the press used to print the stamps. When each
stamp in a pane is a different design, the entire pane is collected
as the plate block. See “Plate marking”.
Plate proof The trial impressions from the printing
plate before the actual issue. Usually they are un-gummed and
printed on card. See “Proof”.
Plate varieties A kind of minor variety due to
imperfections in a printing plate, producing one or several stamps
that are different from the rest in their sheet. Also called
constant varieties, they were not too rare when stamps were
printed with the engraving (a.k.a. Intaglio) method. One
way to hunt for plate varieties involves inspecting several full
sheets of the same stamp, searching for marks present in some, but
not all, of the specimens, that repeat exactly in the same positions
in the rest of the sheets, or at least in some of them.
Plating The reconstruction of a stamp pane by
collecting blocks and individual stamps representing various
positions. This is possible for many older issues, but most modern
issues are too uniform to make the identification of individual
positions possible. See also “Reconstruction”.
Platinum Print Invented in the 1870s it was used
for its fine detail and soft grey tones. This process uses a
combination of platinum and iron salts for printing. Many early 20th
century artists’ works were done using this process and is also
found in photography. By the 1930s this process fell out of favour
and even prints during its prime period of use are hard to find.
Plebiscite issue Stamps issued by temporary
independent postal authorities in towns and districts while their
future nationality is determined. After World War I, a number of
disputed areas were placed under temporary League of Nations
administration, pending plebiscites to determine which nation the
populace wished to join. Special issues note the upcoming vote in
several of these areas; among them, Allenstein, Carinthia, Eastern
Silesia, Marienwerder, Schleswig and Upper Silesia.
Plis confliés (French) “Entrusted mail”
from the Siege of Paris and airborne mail from the besieged Metz and
Belfort.
Plis confliés (French) “Entrusted mail”
from the Siege of Paris and airborne mail from the besieged Metz and
Belfort.
Plug Part of a printing plate plugged into the main
design.
Pmk Abbreviation for postmark (see also)
PNC Plate number coil or Philatelic-numismatic
combination
Pneumatic post Letter distribution through
pressurized air tubes. Pneumatic posts existed in many large cities
in Europe, and special stamps and stationery were often produced for
the service.
Poached egg Name for labels used officially for
testing British automatic vending machines in 1936/37.
Pochette (French) “wallet”. Small
transparent envelope used for containing a stamp.
Polar exhibit An exhibit in a National (non-FIP)
class which covers the full spectrum of philatelic activity applied
specifically to northern (Arctic & Sub-Arctic) and southern
(Antarctic & Sub-Antarctic) polar geographic regions.
Polar exhibit An exhibit in a National (non-FIP)
class which covers the full spectrum of philatelic activity applied
specifically to northern (Arctic & Sub-Arctic) and southern
(Antarctic & Sub-Antarctic) polar geographic regions.
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Polymers derived from
vinyl chloride used to make plastic pages and sleeves. These can
cause damage to postcards over time.
Polyvinyl Alcohol gum (PVA) Adhesive substance
which is invisible and non-curling used on many stamps from 1960s.
Portals One of the paper mills controlled by
Wiggins, Teape & Alex Pirie Ltd.
Porte timbre (French) Label that contains
a box within the design for the regular postage stamp.
Porto Postage.
Positional block Block showing a variety known to
occur on a particular stamp in the sheet.
Post & Telegraph Department In 1881 the merger
of the Electric Telegraphs Department with the Post Office
Department created the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department. In
1959 became the “New Zealand Post Office (NZPO)” (see also).
Post and Telegraph Department (Stores Branch) frank free postage “Government Department printed frank” (see also). A
design used from 1894 but possibly earlier until at least 1904.
Post box Includes a pillar box (see also), are
generally free standing and people insert mail for posting. The mail
is picked up at intervals by a postal or courier service for
delivery to the nearest mail sorting centre. At Post Offices the
post box is often incorporated into the building design and mail
posted is cleared by the postal staff.
Post bus Mail Bus
Post Office box Usually abbreviated to PO Box
followed by an identifying number. Mail can be addressed to the PO
Box which usually located at a post office or mail sorting centre.
The mail delivered to the box is picked up by the addressee.
Post Office Department The Local Posts Act 1856
gave provincial councils the authority to create their own mail
services and local post offices, while the Government continued to
maintain the overland trunk postal routes and the head Post Office
in each province. The Post Office Act 1858 repealed the Local Posts
Act and established the Post Office as a separate government
department reporting to the Postmaster General. In 1881 it was
merged with the Electric Telegraphs Department to become the “Post
& Telegraph Department” (see also).
Post office In New Zealand the generic term used to
cover ”Post Office Department” (1858-1881), “Post & Telegraph
Department” (1881-1959), “New Zealand Post Office” (1959-1987) and
“New Zealand Post” (1987- ) and the individual offices during their
administration.
Post Office Mauritius The 1d & 2d stamps of
Mauritius issued in 1847. the stamps are so called because they are
inscribed “Post Office”
Post Office Place for reception of mail for
delivery to addressees.
Post Offices Abroad Post Offices staffed and
operated by one country located in another country.
Post Road Public highway whose use is authorised by
law.
Post-a-book A service of the British Post Office
operated through book shops as a convenient way of sending books
through the post.
Postafix machine a hand-held automatic postage
stamp applier.
Postafix provisonals These were specially created
in Nz to fill the need for 7c and 8c stamps for use in ‘Postafix
machines. The 7c and 8c roses, the current definitives in these
values were too large. The 7c and 8c fish were not available so
surplus remainders of the 3c and 4c were used and surcharged ‘7c’
and ‘8c’. These were prepared in full rolls of 400 stamps.
Postage due The amount to be collected from the
addressee of a postal article of which postage has been unpaid or
insufficiently pre-paid. Distinctive stamps to indicate the payment
of postage due were on issue in NZ from 1 December 1899 to 30
September 1951.
Postage dues Stamps, labels or markings indicating
that insufficient postage has been affixed to the mailing piece and
showing the amount to be paid on un- or under-franked letters.
Postage dues are usually affixed at the office of delivery. The
additional postage is collected from the addressee.
Postage Paid impressions Hand struck marks applied
to bulk postings of mail prepaid in cash.
Postage Stamp A label, usually gummed, indicating
the amount of money prepaid for postage.
Postage Stamps of New Zealand A series of
handbooks produced by the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand
which form the standard reference for New Zealand philately. Volume
I was issued 1939 and its latest, Volume X, in 2013.
Postal AuthoritiesThose national authorities that
are appointed by their national government to be responsible for the
movement of mail within their respective country and are usually
instructed to co-operate with the UPU for the distribution of
international mails.
Postal card A government-produced postcard bearing
a stamp imprint in the upper-right corner representing prepayment of
postage.
Postal concessionary label Label sold through the
NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) for use of British
servicemen in Egypt.
Postal fiscal A stamp inscribed “Stamp Duty” and
available for postal use or used postally.
Postal forgery A counterfeit stamp prepared to
defraud the postal authorities.
Postal frank Term used to denote accountancy labels
prepared by the British Vice Consul in Madagascar.
Postal historian A student of the operation and
development of postal services.
Postal History 2A exhibit An exhibit in an FIP
sub-class which contains material carried by, and related to,
official, local or private mails. Such exhibits generally emphasize
routes, rates, markings, usages and other postal aspects, services,
functions and activities related to the history of the development
of Postal Service cf. Marcophily (Postal History 2B) and
Historical, social and special studies (Postal History
2C).
Postal History 2B exhibit Marcophily (Postmarks) An
exhibit in an FIP sub-class which shows classifications and/or
studies of postal markings related to official, local or private
mails on covers, adhesive stamps and other postal items
Postal History 2C exhibits An exhibit in an FIP
sub-class which examines postal history in the broader sense and the
interaction of commerce and society with the postal system.
Postal History exhibits Postal History exhibits are
classified under three sub-classes “Postal History
2A”, “Postal History 2B” and “Postal History
2C”.
Postal history The study of postal markings, rates
and routes, or anything to do with the history of the posts.
Postal label An adhesive label made available or
used by the Post Office on mail matter such as registered, insured,
fragile, express delivery, unsealed articles and letter
packets. See also “Etiquette”
Postal marking A marking applied by the post office
to a postal article.
Postal mechanisation Aspects of mail automation and
mechanisation of the posts, including postal markings, sorting
equipment, barcode labels and meter franking.
Postal operator An entity which provides postal
services in a country. See also “designated postal operator”.
Postal Stationery exhibit An exhibit in an FIP
class which should comprise a logical and coherent assembly of
postal matter which either bears an officially authorised
pre-printed stamp or device or inscription indicating that a
specific face value rate of postage has been pre-paid
Postal stationery Stationery bearing imprinted
stamps, as opposed to adhesive stamps. Postal stationery includes
postal cards, lettercards, stamped envelopes, wrappers, aerograms,
telegraph cards, postal savings forms and similar
government-produced items. The cost to the mailer is often the price
of postage plus an additional charge for the stationery item.
Postal strike Industrial action by postal workers
causing disruption to postal services e.g. US March 1970 and the UK
January-March 1971 (coinciding with the introduction of decimal
currency) and August – September 1988.
Postal surcharge Overprint on stamps used for
accounting purposes and were not valid for postage (occurs on Cyprus
stamps).
Postal tax stamp A stamp which raises revenue for
charity or war related projects. Postal tax stamps are similar to
semi-postals, except their use is mandatory instead of voluntary.
They are used to show payment of a compulsory tax on mailing letters
and parcels.
Postal Telegraphs Stamps originally issued for use
on telegrams.
Postally used A stamp, postcard or cover that has
seen legitimate postal use, as opposed to one that has been
cancelled-to-order or cancelled by favour. The term “postally used”
suggests an item exists because it was used to carry a personal or
business communication without the sender thinking of creating an
item to be collected.”
Postbus ticket The Postbus services operating in
the UK since 1967 use distinctive tickets with the value indicated
by means of adhesive stamps (see also).
Postcard 1)Printed by a Government department or a
private company where the stamp has to be affixed.
Postcard 2)A small card, usually with a picture on
one side and a space for a written message on the other. Postcards
have no imprinted stamp, so the mailer must also purchase postage to
mail the postcard. Compare with “Postal card”.
Postcard backed For a postcard to be considered a
postcard it must have a postcard back which includes traditional
features such as a stamp box, back label, divided back line or
information which indicates the address area.
Postcard blanks Where one side is blank, to allow
for the picture to be printed or photographically imaged.
Postcard stamp Postage stamps specially prepared
for prepaying postage on postcards.
Postcard stock Material from which a postcard is
made, can include card stock, leather, wood or cloth.
Postcode A group of numbers or a combination of
letters and numbers devised to translate an address into a code
which can be used for automatic sorting.
Poste restante (French) ‘Remainder
post”. A service where the Post Office holds the mail until
the recipient calls in for it. Items are postmarked ‘Post
Restante’.
Posted on board Persons on board ship are entitled
to send mail prepaid by means of stamps of the country in which the
ship is registered.
Poster stamps Term used to describe labels,
resembling miniature posters, often perforated to advertise tourist
attractions, special events and company products, but with no postal
validity.
Posthorns Nickname for the definitive issues of
Norway since 1872.
Postmark Any official postal marking. The term is
usually used specifically to marks applied in manuscript, handstamp
or machine to mail to indicate the place and time of posting. See
also “cancellation”.
Postmasters’ stamps Issues made by postmasters
usually during an emergency to prepay postage on local mail.
Postnote Type of Postal Stationery introduced in
1982 by British Post office.
Pre-adhesive A piece of mail posted before the
advent of postage stamps.
Pre-cancel / Precancelled Stamps
issued by the post office, generally sold in quantity to business
firms with permits to use them, with cancellations already applied
allowing them to bypass normal cancelling. In some cases the
pre-cancel also designates a specific mail-handling service, such as
“Pre-sorted First-Class” while others may include the city and state
of the issuing post office. See also ‘Service inscribed’.
Pre-Linen Cards that were printed on matte or heavy
paper stock through the 1930s.
Premier’s Office frank free postage “Government
Department printed frank” (see also). A design known used in 1901.
Pre-paid ticket NZ Post provided a tracked, across
town service for parcels paid for with ticket sold in packs of 10.
Presentation pack A collection of stamps from a
particular issue or series, attractively laid out and mounted within
the pack. Presentation packs also include background information on
the stamps they display.
Presentation sets With the authority of the
Postmasters-General, representative collections of NZ stamps have
been presented to distinguished people or to museums. Some
stamps included in these sets had obliterations in the form of the
segment of a circle or parallel lines on a corner or down the
middle. Others had the rubber stamp impression “Specimen”.
Pre-sort stamp A discounted stamp used by business
mailers who pre-sort their mail.
Pre-sorted mail Mail sent to the Post Office
already sorted which attracts a reduced rate of postage.
Press sheet A complete unit of stamps, miniature
sheets or booklet panes as printed. Stamps, booklet panes and
miniature sheets are usually printed in large sheets and are
separated into two or more panes before shipment to post offices or,
in the case of booklet panes, inserted into booklets.
Pressure sensitive stamps See “Self-adhesive stamp”
Pre-stamp cover Covers dating from before the
introduction of adhesive postage stamps.
Pre-stamp covers Folded letters or their outer
enclosures used before the introduction of adhesive postage stamps
or postal stationery.
Pre-stamped envelope (PSE) postal stationery.
Prestige booklet A stamp booklet with oversized
panes, descriptive information and stamp issues commemorating a
special topic. Prestige booklets often include panes with no stamps
that instead bear labels or additional information, along with panes
bearing stamps. New Zealand produced its first Prestige booklet on
24 January 1996. Combinations of some stamp designs, some
perforations and the miniature sheets are unique to these booklets.
Prexies The nickname for the US 1938-54
Presidential definitive series.
Primitives Term for early locally produced stamps
whose designs were crudely executed.
Printed A method used to enable mass production of
what was originally a photographic image by splitting the original
into dots and transferring it to a printing plate. The main methods
for achieving this are letterpress halftone and collotype. The
quality of the resulting postcards varies quite considerably.
Printed matter Circulars, samples and other forms
of commercial paper.
Printed on both sides Stamps with complete
impressions on both sides of the paper front and back.
Printed Photo A postcard of photographic origin but
produced in volume via a printing process and lacking the definition
and finish of real photo postcards.
Printed to Private Order See Vol IX
Printed watermark An imitation watermark used as a
substitute for security paper during temporary shortages.
Printer’s waste Defective material which should be
written-off and destroyed., There have been instances where
this type of material has been missed in the inspection at the
printing works and has passed over post office counters. When
a fault is obvious it is usual for the printer to indicate this but
it does not ensure the material will not be issued. Sheets
with rubber-stamp inscription WASRTE in large letters have been
acquired by collectors.
Printer’s imprint Printer’s name appearing as part
of the stamp design or on the sheet selvage.
Printex Printing process patented by Motley &
Miller of England applying photography to letterpress.
Printing Production run of stamps usually employing
one of the four most common methods: line-engraving (a.k.a. intaglio
or recess-printing), lithography (usually offset photo-lithography),
photogravue and typography (letterpress; usually photo-engraving).
Printing-Out Paper A commercially manufactured
paper that was quite popular in the 1880s and 1890s and continued to
be produced until the 1920s. Coated with silver-chloride emulsions
and designed to develop a print from a negative by using light
alone, rather than chemistry. This process was favoured by early
photographers as field prints could be produced to review their work
without the need of a darkroom.
Priority labels Labels mainly used to denote first
class and airmail services.
Prisoner of War Air Mail Inscribed on a special
letter sheet was used by during WWII Allied PoW communications
through the Red Cross in English and German or Japanese with a 2½d
indicia. Also used for East Africa PoW Internees Camps after the
September 1943 Italian Armistice. Postage paid 1s 30c for airmail.
Prisoner of War mail Correspondence to or from
prisoners of war.
Private controls Inscriptions overprinted or on
reverse of stamps by organisations to prevent theft.
Private Mailing Card In the US this term was
required by law in the 1898 Act of Congress which qualified these
cards for the 1 cent rate. The Law was rescinded in 1901 and the new
term Post Card was placed on the back.
Private perforation Unofficial perforation applied
by private individuals or organisations before perforation methods
were generally accepted. Also private roulette.
Private postage stamps Stamps or franks issued to
private individuals or organisations as a postal concession on
certain mail. Also where, without authority, individuals have
produced stamps for events e.g. strikes.
Private postmarks Cancellations permitted in some
countries for the use of firms or organisations.
Pro Aero (Switzerland) Inscription on Air
Mail Stamps.
Pro Juventute (Latin) “for the benefit of
youth”. Switzerland has issued Pro Juventute charity stamps nearly
every year since 1913.
Pro Patria (Latin) “for one’s country”.
Swiss stamps issued for national cultural funds.
Process engraving Method of engraving the surface
of metal by an acid to produce printing plates.
Processing Steps that finish a printed stamp sheet.
Processing includes perforation, trimming, dividing the sheet into
individual panes, and packaging for distribution.
Proof A trial impression. It is usual for the
engraver to make a series of prints from the die as an indication of
the progress of his work. Prints from the finished die are made both
before and after it is hardened and it is customary to produce
proofs both in black and in colour from the plates and cylinders. In
NZ the post office now insists that all proof material must remain
in their custody. For nearly 80 years designers, engravers, printers
and other privileged people were able to obtain proofs.
Proof Trial impressions from a die or printing
plate before actual stamp production. Proofs are made to examine a
die or plate for defects or to compare the results of using
different inks. Proofs can be divided into four types: die proofs,
engraver’s proofs; plate proofs and colour proofs.
Propaganda forgeries Political and propaganda
forgery is produced by countries in conflict. Stamps may be issued
to deprive the enemy of revenue, to distribute propaganda material,
to cause confusion or to depict propaganda messages. Propaganda
stamps are very collectable and have been philatelically forged: a
forgery of a forgery. Many propaganda stamps would have been
difficult to circulate in the postal system because they would have
been immediately removed, thus used propaganda stamps are unusual
(but easily falsified).
Propaganda leaflets Leaflets bearing propaganda
aimed at enemy and enemy occupied countries.
Propaganda Stamps Stamps designed to promote a
campaign and get a message across to the public.
Prospectus The document which describes the
regulations applying to a specific exhibition. Equivalent to the
“IREX” of international exhibitions the term is used mainly for
national exhibitions.
Provisional stamps Issued for
temporary use to meet postal demands until new or regular stocks of
stamps can be obtained. The issue of provisional stamps could arise
through a change in name or government, by occupation of foreign
territory, by a change in postal rates, by a change of currency, or
by the need to provide stamps that otherwise are in short supply.
PTPO Printed to Private Order
PTSA Priced to Sell At. A term used in auctions
where stamps in a lot have been previously priced for retail or
approval purposes.
Public Trust Office frank and adhesive label free
postage “Government Department printed frank” (see also). A design
was introduced in 1890 and similar form on an adhesive label.
Publicity postmarks Postmarks produced by post
offices to advertise various places or events.
Publisher Usually the person or company who ordered
the postcards is considered the publisher. Some companies were also
the printer and publisher. Smaller publishers may be local
photographers or bookshops.
Pubs (French)
Timbres de Publicité “advertising stamps”. Stamps from
booklets which have advertising labels attached.
Pullout A style of novelty postcard. The postcard
has an attached pouch containing a concertina strip of pull out
images. Open the container to extend the strip of miniature images.
The better cards present the pouch as an integral part of the
design; as a postman’s sack, suitcases or motorcar luggage, as
seaside creatures, or as WW1 knapsacks.. The pull out images are
usually local views but examples featuring military imagery,
cartoons and other childhood images are occasionally to be found.
Punch perforation A form of cancellation where a
hole or pattern of holes is punched across a stamp.
Puzzle Postcards These cards can include hidden
pictures, jigsaw puzzles, or any card which is a puzzle to solve.
PVA, PVAD Abbreviation for Polyvinyl Alcohol and
Polyvinyl Alcohol Dextrin gums on reverse of stamps.
PVC Poly Vinyl Chloride
PYC Philatelic Youth Council of NZ
Q
QDC (Latin)
Quem Deus Conservet “Whom God Preserve”. Often found in
manuscript below the named ship added to early ship letters (see
also) as a talisman.
QEII Queen Elizabeth the Second of Great Britain.
Quadrille paper Paper watermarked with crossed
lines forming a pattern of small squares or rectangles.
Quadrillé Term used to describe an album
leaf printed with a fine network of squares as a guide for the
arrangement of stamps.
Quadripartition A block or strip of four stamps
that together complete a single entire design. See US Scott 1448-51,
the 1972 Cape Hatteras National Seashore issue.
Quadrisect A stamp divided into four equal parts.
See “bisect” and “split stamp”.
Qualifying exhibits Except for literature and Age
Group A Youth entries, to participate in an International exhibition
the exhibit (whether of one or five frames) must have received a
minimum of 75 points (Vermeil) at a national level exhibition within
the five years prior to the first application for entry. For
literature exhibits no previous award is required but books must
have been published within the previous five years and all other
entries in the literature class within the previous two years. For
Age Group A (10 to 15 years) a national 70 points (Large Silver)
must have been received. For more details see Article 10 of the
GREX.
Quartz lamp An electric lamp incorporating a
filament in transparent fused quartz, emitting ultraviolet rays.
Quatrefoil watermark A compound leaf or flower
design with four leaflets or petals radiating from the centre.
Queen enthroned Name for stamps of Victoria 1852
showing a design with Queen Victoria seated on a throne.
QV Queen Victoria.
R
R Rare
Rack cards Modern advertising postcards distributed
free on racks.
Rag Paper High quality long lasting paper with a
high content of rag content.
Railway Air Services Airmail service operated by
the Railway Companies in Great Britain during 1934.
Railway cancellations Cancellations used to
indicate handling on mail vans or travelling post offices and on
trains.
Railway company stamps Local or semi-official
stamps issued by railway companies mainly to denote fees payable in
respect of parcels and in some cases letters.
Railway letter and parcel stamps Stamps produced by
railway companies to prepay a special railway letter fee to speed up
the handling of letters between railway stations.
Railway Post Office (RPO) Portable mail-handling
equipment for sorting mail in transit on trains. The last official
US RPO ran June 30, 1977. RPOs were used in many countries. See also
“Mobile post office”.
Railway Travelling Post Office (RTPO) An office in
a special van attached to an express train. Mail was sorted and,
where necessary, delivered to or received from places
en route.
Rainbow trials Impressions of the Penny Black
produced in a number of different colours during 1840. This was to
test various combinations of coloured inks, papers and
cancellations.
Rapid cancelling machine Machine for high speed
cancelling of mail. For example, the International Postal
Supply Co of New York machine used by the Canada Post Office
Department.
Rayon (French) “radius”. Denotes the
distance of a place from a central point and used in European postal
tariffs.
RDP see “Roll of Distinguished Philatelists”
Readers Digest coils Multi value strips of stamps
were produced by the British Post Office on behalf of Readers Digest
to facilitate reply postage.
Ready to Go envelopes
Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) or Real Photographic / Photo (RP) Term coined to distinguish
between commercially printed photographic images and an actual
photograph printed on photograph paper with a pre-printed postcard
back. ‘Real photo’ cards may be more desirable than commercially
printed postcards because of the image quality. Many real photos may
be private images produced by local photographers in very small
quantities, sometimes singly, sometimes with a small number of
copies. Larger companies also produced real photo postcards in some
volume, perhaps using a mechanical device such as a Grabner machine.
The difference between real photo postcards and printed photo
postcards is apparent under magnification.
Rebus A puzzle postcard on which words, phrases, or
sentences are represented by pictures of objects and signs, the
names of which, when sounded in sequence afford the solution.
Receipted parcels A parcel service operated by the
British Post Office similar to Recorded Delivery (see also).
Receiving mark A postmark or other postal marking
applied by the receiving, rather than the originating, post office.
See also “Backstamp”.
Recess print The process of printing from a plate
in which the reproductions of the design are recess into
metal. Line-engraving and photogravure are types of recessed
engraving but it is usual to use the term recess-print for stamps
printed from plates where the impressions of the design have been
laid down by means of a transfer roller produced from a die with
engraved dots as well as lines.
Reconstruction Reconstruction of sheets or blocks
of stamps from singles or multiples which vary in some degree
throughout the sheet or block. See also “plating”.
Recorded delivery A delivery service in which the
sender receives a certificate that a letter or parcel has been
posted and a signature is obtained from the recipient as a record
that it has been delivered. Often, for an additional fee, items are
computer tracked and scanned at the item’s final destination.
Recorded message stamps Stamps issued by Argentina
in 1939 to prepay the fees on messages recorded on discs for
transmission by post.
Re-cut die When a die has been extensively
retouched (see also) it is normally termed re-cut.
Red Cross / Crescent stamps Stamps either
commemorating the Red Cross or bearing a premium in aid of the Red
Cross
Red Cross message scheme Used for the exchange of
mail between persons living on opposing sides during WW2, operated
out of Switzerland.
Red plates Printing plates used for making Penny
red stamps of Great Britain in 1841. See also “Black plates”.
Redrawn A stamp design that has been slightly
altered yet maintains the basic design as originally issued.
Reel fed Stamps printed by presses using continuous
reels of paper.
Re-engraved A stamp with an altered design as the
result of a change made to a transfer roll or printing plate prior
to a later printing, thereby distinguishing it from the original
die.
Re-engraving The strengthening of worn parts of the
surface of a printing plate.
Re-entry A repair made by means of a transfer
roller to worn or damaged impression on a plate after it has been in
use. It is not unusual for a flaw to be removed or minimised
before the transfer roller is used.
Regional Postage Labels (RPL) Similar in format to
CALs, are contained in a series of booklets produced for Regional
Information Centres (iSites) for sale at iSites,
tourist centres and other locations.
Regional postcards Picture postcards issued by the
various regional postal boards in the UK.
Regional stamps Stamp sold or valid in a specific
area of a stamp-issuing entity. Regionals are usually sold only in a
given region but are often valid for postage throughout a country.
For example, Great Britain has issued stamps for the regions of
Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Register marking Any marking in the sheet margin in
the form of lines, dots and arrows, placed as a guide to colour
registration.
Registered envelope Special Envelopes pioneered in
GB in 1878 for registered packets and distinguished by crossed blue
lines.
Registered mail First-class mail with a numbered
receipt, including a valuation of the registered item, for full or
limited compensation if the mail is lost. Some countries have issued
registered mail stamps. Registered mail is signed for by each postal
employee who handles it.
Registration labels Adhesive labels indicating the
registry number and, often, the city of origin for registered
articles sent through the mail.
Registration marks Special marks applied to
registered packets to indicate greater security in transit.
Registration stamps Special stamps or postal
stationery denoting that the registration fee has been paid.
Regummed A stamp bearing adhesive from an
unauthorized source.
Reichspost (German) “Imperial Post”
Reissue 1) An official reprinting of a stamp from
an obsolete or discontinued issue. Reissues are valid for postage.
See also “Reprint”.
Reissue 2) A stamp or series of stamps brought back
into general use after being withdrawn.
Relief cancellation All Chief Post Offices held
date stamps with slots into which metal slugs were inserted to
produce a desired inscription. These were issued temporarily to
offices when a normal date stamp had been damaged or lost.
Some of the early types of date stamps and obliterators without
inscriptions which identified them with a particular office were
also issued temporarily.
Relief print This is the opposite of recess print
(see also) as the portions of the plate which are to print stand up
from the surface. The uncoloured portions of the design have been
removed. Relief-printing plates are usually produced by
electrotyping of stereotyping. Terms used for relief printing are
‘surface printing’ and ‘typography’.
Relief printing Printing from raised type often
referred to as letterpress.
Remainders Stocks of stamps remaining unsold at the
time that an issue is declared obsolete by a post office. Some
countries have sold remainders to the stamp trade at substantial
discounts from face value. The countries normally mark the stamps
with a distinctive cancel. Uncancelled remainders usually cannot be
distinguished from stamps sold over the counter before the issue was
invalidated.
Repair Correction of a damaged or faulty printing
plate, cylinder, die or perforation pins.
Repaired stamp A damaged stamp that has been
repaired in some way to reinforce it or to make it resemble an
undamaged stamp to increase its possible market value.
Re-perforated stamp A stamp which has had
perforation applied unofficially to an imperforate or damaged
margin.
Replica A reproduction of a stamp or cover. In the
19th century, replica stamps were sold as stamp album space fillers.
Replica stamps are often printed in one colour in a sheet containing
a number of different designs. Replicas can sometimes deceive either
a postal clerk or collectors.
Reply paid stationery Envelopes or postal cards
bearing inscriptions, address and license number to enable a firm’s
customers to reply without paying postage.
Repoussage (French) ‘spinning”. The
knocking up of a printing plate from behind for the purpose of
raising a dent or bringing a faulty part of the plate to the
necessary height for retouching.
Repp paper A ribbed paper with a fine ribbing on
the surface and not resulting from the watermark.
Reprint A stamp printed from the original plate,
after the issue has ceased to be postally valid. Official reprints
are sometimes made for presentation purposes or official
collections. [The 1d, 2d and 6d FFQs are the only NZ stamps of which
reprints were made.] They are often distinguishable in some way from
the originals: different colours, perforations, paper or gum.
Private reprints, on the other hand, are usually produced strictly
for sale to collectors and often closely resemble the original
stamps. Private reprints normally sell for less than original
copies. Reprints are not valid for postage. See also “Reissue”. The
printing of additional supplies of current stamps is best described
as ‘new printings’.
Repro Reproductions of old and antique postcards.
Reproduction A printing in black or in colours,
other than those in which stamps were issued, made from a plate
after a stamp has been withdrawn from sale at post offices.
Reproductions in black were made of the FFQs, ½d Newsletter stamp
and of the second side-faces. Coloured reproductions printed from
dies of the FFQs were specially made for the “Postage Stamps of New
Zealand”, Vol II.
Reserve plate A plate used on several occasions
from 1902 to 1908 to print supplies of the Penny Universal.
Resetting New arrangement of clichés in a plate.
Resinised paper Paper made transparent by treatment
with resin or collodion. Also known as Goldbeater’s skin (see also).
Retail booklets and sheetlets Stamps packaged in
such a way that they can be conveniently sold in souvenir shops and
other places in addition to Post Offices.
Retouch The repairing by hand of a damaged plate or
die, often producing a minor, but detectable, difference in the
design of the printed stamps. See also “Touch-out” and “Touch-up”.
Returned Letter Office See “dead letter office”.
Returned mail Mail which has been returned to the
sender for many reasons but mainly because of an incorrect address.
Reuse labels Gummed labels affixed across the tops
of envelopes which have previously been used. See also “Economy
Label”.
Revenue exhibit An exhibit in an FIP class which
would be comprised of embossed, imprinted or adhesive tax, fee or
credit stamps issued by or under the origination authority of a
state or municipal or intermediate governmental authority. Such an
exhibit would display one or more such type of stamp, and explain
the reasons for and where necessary detail the regulations relating
to the services, transactions of other matter being considered.
Revenues Stamps representing the prepayment or
payment of various tax, duty or fee. Revenues are affixed to
official documents and to merchandise. Some stamps, including many
issues of the British Commonwealth, are inscribed “Postage and
Revenue” and were available for either use. Such issues are usually
worth less fiscally cancelled than postally used. In some cases,
revenues have been used provisionally as postage stamps. See also
“Fiscal”.
Reversed print Stamps printed in reverse by
accident or design.
Reversed watermark Where the watermark reads the
wrong way when viewed from the front of the stamp.
Reward Cards Not, strictly speaking, postcards
though they were postcard sized and similar in design. The cards
were used as rewards for good behaviour or attendance at school or
church. The cards typically have an image to one side and have
either plain backs or some pre-printed text concerning the depicted
topic or awarding institution.
RFD “Rural free delivery”
Ribbed paper Paper which shows fine parallel ridges
on one or both sides of a stamp.
Rice paper A thin paper with a variety of textures,
made from the sliced pith of a Formosan tree and sized with rice
water.
Richardson prints When it was decided to make
printings of the FFQs from the plates received from Perkins. Bacon
& Co Ltd, the Colonial Secretary reported there was “but one
person in the town competent to print postage stamps”. This
was J Richardson who made printings from November 1855 to February
1862 at Auckland.
Rings Term for a type of numerical obliterator
consisting of several concentric circle with or without numerals in
the centre.
Ripple gum A gum, adopted by Germany, so broken up
as to produce a non-curling effect.
Rivet mark A printed mark on a stamp or sheet
margin made by a nail or rivet into the printing plate to secure the
printing surface to the mount.
RLO Railway Letter Office; Returned Letter Office
RMPO “Rural mail post office”.
Rocket mail Mail flown in a rocket, even if only a
short distance. Many rocket mail experiments have been conducted
since 1931. Special labels, cachets or cancels usually note that
mail was carried on a rocket.
Rocket stamp A private stamp or label sold to the
public to prepay the charges of having a letter sent by rocket.
Rohrpost (German) Pneumatic mail see also
Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (RDP) Established in Great Britain in 1921. King George V gave it royal
assent and was the first signatory.
Rolled gum Gum applied to paper by a machine
operated roller.
Roller cancellation A cancellation applied by means
of a roller fixed in a hand instrument.
Roller die Cylindrical die used to produce a
recessed printing plate in the Perkins Die and Mill process.
Roller flaws Flaws in stamp designs caused by
imperfections occurring in the roller die.
Roman type Font of type used by printers and
distinguished by its serif capitals.
Rosback perforation Experimental perforation gauge
12½ applied to USA 1c stamp of 1919.
Rotary cancellations A hand operated device to
speed up the cancellation of stamps.
Rotary perforation In a rotary machine there are
two sets of wheels mounted on two axles. Pins project round
the peripheries of one set and corresponding holes have been drilled
into the second set.
Rotary plate A curved or cylindrical printing plate
used on a press that rotates the plate to make continuous
impressions. Flat plates make single impressions.
Rotary printing Method of printing using curved
printing plates that print on continuous rolls of paper.
Rough perforation Holes and teeth with rough edges.
imperfectly cut or punched.
Roughway The name of a paper supplied by De La Rue
& Co Ltd but made by Turner & Co Ltd at their Roughway Paper
Mills, Tonbridge. The paper was chalk-surfaced and had NZ and
star watermark.
Roulette A means of separation in which cuts are
made without removing any portion of paper. There have been some
unusual forms of roulettes used for NZ stamps. With one exception,
the evidence indicates that the roulettes were produced by the use
of small hand wheels. Many of the FFQs with these forms of
separation are extremely rare (in some cases only single copies have
been found). There have been attempts to imitate these rarities. All
types have certain recognisable characteristics which make it
possible to distinguish the genuine from the fake. See “H-roulette”,
“Oblique roulette”, “Pin roulette”, “Serrate”, “Square roulette” and
“Y-roulette”.
Row value Figures in sheet margins indicating the
total value of the stamps in a row.
Royal cypher grade A type of paper containing 50
per cent cotton rag, not less than 10 per cent nor more than 15 per
cent mineral matter and the balance chemical wood (also known as
wood sulphite). This paper was made to the specifications of the
British Post Office for wartime printings of British stamps, hence
its description as “Royal Cypher” grade.
Royal Mail postage labels Term used for Frama
labels (see also) used in UK 1984-85.
Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand (RPSNZ) The Society was formed in 1888
and thus is the oldest philatelic society in New Zealand. The Royal
prefix was granted in 1946.
Royal Reprint Printing of British 1d stamps in
September 1865 requested by young members of the Royal Family for
examples of the 1d Black.
Royle, W R & Sons Ltd produced plates for the
Penny Universal and the plates for the 2d to 1/- Edward VII stamps.
RPO Railway Post Office.
RPSNZ See Royal Philatelic Society of NZ
Ruled paper Paper ruled with lines as a guide for
writing. Such paper was used for stamps of Mexico and Latvia.
Rural Free Delivery A system for free home delivery
of mail in rural areas of the US that was implemented over a period
between 1890 and 1902.
Rural Mail Post Office (RMPO) During WWI an
experiment was approved to have travelling post offices on four
rural delivery routes. Special date-stamps with RMPO included in the
inscription, were used.
Rural postmark Undated postmarks used by rural
postmen in Cyprus and Greece.
Rust A brown mould (resembling the rust in iron)
that disfigures postage stamps in humid climates and other bad
storage conditions.
S
SAE “Self-addressed envelope”. Commonly used as
alternate to “SASE”
Sage see “Peace & Commerce”.
Saggio (Italian) Specimen
Sample labels or stamps Security printer products
to show to prospective clients.
Sans serif Name for a form of type which has no
cross stroke, or serif, or thickening at the end of each letter.
SASE A self-addressed, stamped envelope. An unused
envelope bearing the address of the sender and sufficient return
postage. Enclosed with correspondence to make answering easy.
Saturation The proportion of white of the pure hue
in the colour. See also “Colour”.
Saunders The paper-maker’s name T H Saunders
appeared as a watermark in some sheets of the 2d printed in 1872.
Savings stamps Stamps intended to facilitate the
savings of sums of money which are too small to be deposited in the
Post Office Savings Bank.
Saw toothed roulette Also known as “Pérce en Scie” characterised by large cuts made in a diagonal pattern.
Scientific expeditions Stamps overprinted for the
use of expeditions of science and exploration.
Scouts Post See Boy Scout Posts.
Scrambled Indicia® A patented process that conceals
encoded text or graphics within the visible design. These hidden
images can only be viewed through a special lens, the Stamp
Decoder™, available from the USPS.
Scratch and Win panel 100years of Cinema
commemorative issue of 1996
Script Printer’s type resembling handwriting.
Script watermark Watermark consisting of letters in
italics. A watermark consisting of the italic letters WT & Co.
The paper was made by Wiggins, Teape & Co Ltd and the 1d brown
and 2d orange-vermillion FFQs are known with this watermark. A Crown
Agents (see also) watermark in use from 1921 where the CA marking is
in italics.
Sea Floor Bahamas Special postmark applied to mail
posted in the bathysphere at the bottom of the sea in Nassau Marine
Gardens on 16 August 1939, a souvenir of the Williamson Undersea
Expedition.
Seahorses Name given to the high value Great
Britain definitive stamps of King George V.
Sealing labels Gummed or self-adhesive labels used
by postal authorities to reseal broken packets.
Seals Gummed labels intended to seal envelopes by
affixing them across the flap.
Seaside Comic Postcards Designed to be sent home by
British seaside holidaymaker. Always with a comic theme, often
risque and sometimes vulgar. English seaside comic postcards first
appeared in the early 1900s. Later the cards became saucier and,
with an emphasis on sexually suggestive double meaning and innuendo.
In the 1930s and 40s the saucy postcard was at its peak with many
millions being sent each year.
Second Class mail A slower mail service at reduced
rate compared to First Class. See also “Economy”.
Second side-face The 1882 NZ stamps with portrait
of Queen Victoria facing to the left, inscribed POSTAGE &
REVENUE.
Secret mark A minute alteration to a stamp design
added to distinguish later printings from earlier printings by a
different firm. Secret marks may positively distinguish genuine
stamps from counterfeits.
Security overprint An overprint applied to a stamp
to prevent forgery.
Security paper Paper which has been treated to
prevent defacing marks on stamps being removed.
Seebeck Issues The nickname for
various Latin American issues produced 1890-99 in contract with
Nicholas Frederick Seebeck, the agent for the Hamilton Bank Note Co
of New York. Seebeck agreed to provide new issues of stamps and
stationery each year at no charge, in return for the right to sell
remainders and reprints to collectors. The resulting furore
destroyed Seebeck and blackened the philatelic reputations of the
countries involved.
Self-adhesive labels and stamps Labels and stamps
with a rubber based adhesive that does not require moistening.
Self-adhesive Stamp gum that adheres to envelope
paper by the application of pressure alone. Most self-adhesive
stamps are sold on a coated paper release liner. See also “Liner”,
“Linerless”, “Water-activated” and “Die cut”.
Self-inking hand stamp A hand stamp placed in a
spring-loaded stamp body which rotates to an internal ink pad after
each use.
Selvedge / selvage Selvage tends to be the American
usage c.f. selvedge. The marginal paper on a sheet or pane of
stamps. See also “Margin”.
Semi-official stamps Stamps used in connection with
private postal services but having official sanction.
Semi-postal American term for stamps bearing a
charity premium, i.e. a stamp sold at a price greater than postal
value, with the additional charge dedicated for a special purpose.
Usually indicated on a stamp by the presence of two values,
separated by a “+” sign.
Sepia A brownish shade applied to photographs or
printed cards, usually to provide an aging effect
Sequence sorting machine A machine which sorts mail
to address in sequence of delivery
Series 1) A group of postcards belonging together
in a collection. The individual cards may or may not have been
printed at the same time. A series has a common artist and
publisher. Often, but not always, they have the word series on the
back.
Series 2) A group of stamps with a similar design
or theme, issued over a period of time. A series may be planned or
may evolve.
Serpentine roulette A form of separation in which
the cuts are in a wavy line pattern.
Serrate The cuts are so placed that the edges of
the stamps are shaped like the edge of a saw. See “roulette”.
Service inscribed A stamp with wording as part of
the initial printed design that identifies the mail-handling service
for which the stamp is intended, such as “Pre-sorted First-Class”.
See also “Pre-cancel”.
Set A number of cards, commonly six, linked in some
way (e.g. by number) by a particular publisher. These were sold in
packets or individually. Examples are: days of the week or months of
the year.
Set off An additional impression of the whole or
part of a stamp design, printed accidentally on the face or back of
a stamp.
Set Stamps sharing common design elements, often
issued at one time and usually collected as a group.
Se-tenant (French) “joined together”. Two
or more unseparated stamps of different designs, colours,
denominations or types.
Sewing machine perforation Separation applied by a
sewing machine resembling either pin rouletting or rough perforation
depending on the condition of the needle.
Shade The minor variation commonly found in any
basic colour. Shades may be accorded catalogue status when they are
very distinctive.
Sheet A complete unit of stamps as printed. Stamps
are usually printed in large “press sheets” and are separated into
two or more panes, commonly called ‘sheets’ before shipment to post
offices.
Sheet number A number appearing in the margin of a
stamp sheet in order to count and distinguish the sheet
individually.
Sheet watermark Watermark device appearing only
once in the printed sheet also known as “All over Watermark” (see
also).
Sheetlet A sheet of stamps containing a much
smaller number of stamps than the normal sheet distinguished from
Miniature Sheet (see also).
Shift Term used when a colour is applied out of
register to the stamp design during printing.
Shifter transfer Is caused by the failure of the
impression on the roller to coincide at the end of a forward
movement with the lines impressed by the preceding movement due to
displacement of the metal of the plate. It occurs if there is
excessive pressure or speed during rocking-in. This will result in
duplication at the ends of the design (e.g. doubling of frame line).
Ship cancellations Special marks often including
the name of the ship used to cancel mail posted on board.
Ship letter A letter carried by a private vessel
instead of a packet letter (see also). The Post Office agreed to pay
the Masters of Private Ships a fee which was an inducement to the
efficient handling of letters they carried. This was in addition to
the ordinary postage charged and all was paid for by the recipient.
A special mark was applied to the mail at the port of arrival. See
also “Captain’s gratuity”.
Shipping company stamps Stamps issued by shipping
companies to prepay postage on mail carried by their vessels.
Short set An incomplete set of stamps, usually
lacking either the high value or one or more key values.
Shrinkage Stereotypes of a particular stamp image
have often varied in size owing to the shrinkage of the plaster
mould from which the stereos were made.
Sideways watermark Watermark device at right angles
to the stamp design.
Siege post Mail services from town under siege in
wartime.
Signé (French) “sign”. Term for a stamp
with an expert’s signature on the back proving it is genuine.
Silhouette Popular form of art deco illustrating
from the 1920s and 1930s. Silhouette postcards and often fantasy
scenes show the main subject in black which gives a shadow
appearance.
Silk Postcards with silk fabric applied to the
design. Silk postcards can also be entire images printed on silk
then attached to a postcard backing.
Silk screen printing A printing process where the
ink is forced through a fine screen onto the paper surface of the
stamp below.
Silk thread paper Paper with threads of silk in its
composition. See also “Dickinson Paper”.
Silurian paper Paper with a slight bluish grey
tinge and showing threads of different colours on the surface.
Silvering A degeneration in gelatin silver prints
where the silver salts have come to the surface which is usually the
result of paper contacting the emulsion.
Single line perforation Perforation applied to a
sheet one row at a time from a single row of pins.
Sinking fund stamps French stamps with a surcharge
for the reduction of the national debt.
Size of Postcards Standard Size – approx. 3½ x 5½
in (90 x 140 mm); Court Size – approx 3½ x 4½ in (90 x 115 mm);
Continental Size – approx. 4 x 6 in (100 x 150 mm) common size for
modern cards.; Jumbo or Over Sized – larger than Continental;
Bookmark Cards – long and narrow approx. 2½ x 5 – 6 in (90 x 140-
150 mm; and, Miniature Size – approx half size of Standard or 3½ x
2¾ in (90 x 70 mm).
Skeleton postmark A Skeleton postmark is a circular
date stamp made up from loose metal type. Skeletons are brought into
use, usually for a short period, then returned to the Post Office
stores for reuse. The reasons for their issue is usually one of the
following: summer peak periods at holiday resorts; theft of a date
stamp; temporary post office; new post office; pre-Christmas
pressure period; or, a normal date-stamp is being replaced due to
breakage, loss or wear.
Sleeper Stamp or other collectible item that seems
to be under-priced and may have good investment potential.
Sleeve 1) A seamless cylindrical
printing plate used in rotary intaglio printing.
Sleeve 2) A flat transparent holder, often
specifically for protecting and storing a cover.
Slide Transparency Postcards See ‘hold to light’.
Slogan cancellation / postmark Postmarks bearing a
slogan either as a form of advertising or giving instructions to the
public.
Slot machine stamps Dickie, Parker and Dickie &
Brown
Slurred print Also known as smudged print caused by
paper slip at the point of contact with the printing plate.
Small sheets of philatelic interest without postal validity.
Smart stamps Royal Mail business postage option to
print postage on envelopes, labels or parcels. Service closed
down 31 December 2015.
Smiler sheets Sheet of postage stamps issued
se-tenant with labels on which an individual’s picture is printed
thereon.
Smilers Name given by Royal Mail to stamps attached
to a label on which can be printed a photograph supplied by the
customers.
Smiling Boys Also known as the ‘Red and Blue Boys’,
the New Zealand Health Stamps issued in 1931.
Snail mail Modern term for conventional mail as
opposed to Emails.
Soaking Removal of stamps from envelope paper. Most
stamps may be safely soaked in water. Fugitive inks, however, will
run in water, and chalky-surfaced papers will lose their designs
entirely, so some knowledge of stamps is a necessity. Coloured
envelope paper should be soaked separately.
Socked on the nose cancel A postmark with the
impression centred directly on the stamp so that the location and
date of mailing are shown on the stamp. (Also known as a “bull’s
eye”)
Soldiers’ letters Letters sent from soldiers on
active service, often sent free or at a reduced postal rate.
Soldiers’ stamps Stamps issued by many countries to
denote the exemption of serviceman’s mail from postage.
Somerset House London Headquarters of the Board of
the Inland Revenue which was responsible for British stamp
production between 1840 and 1930.
Souvenir card A philatelic card, not valid for
postage, issued in conjunction with some special event. The souvenir
card often illustrates the design of a postage stamp.
Souvenir packs Packs produced by Royal Mail in
conjunction with selected special stamp issues, which in addition to
containing stamps, feature an illustrated book with background
information.
Souvenir page An announcement of a new US stamp
issue created by the US Postal Service, bearing a copy of the new
stamp tied by a first day of issue cancellation.
Souvenir sheet A small sheet of stamps, including
one value or a set of stamps. A souvenir sheet usually has a wide
margin and an inscription describing an event being commemorated.
Stamps on a souvenir sheet may be perforated or imperforate.
Sower (La Semeuse) Longest lived French
stamp design first issued in 1903
Space filler A stamp in poor condition used to fill
the designated space in a stamp album until a better copy can be
found.
Space stamps Stamps commemorating space events.
Spandrel The space between rectangular border and
non-rectangular form which encloses the central portion of the
design.
Spandrel The space between the exterior curves of
an arch and an enclosing right angle.
Special delivery A service providing expedited
delivery of mail. Called Express by some nations.
Special delivery stamps Labels denoting special
handling of mail to speed up delivery.
Special event postmarks Postmarks used at
Exhibitions and other special occasions for which a temporary post
office is provided.
Special fee stamps Stamps denoting the fees payable
in respect of special handling of mail.
Special handling A US service providing expeditious
handling for fourth-class material.
Special handstamp centre Centre for applying
special handstamps e.g. Mount Pleasant, UK.
Special handstamp Royal Mail pictorial
cancellations in use for one day only and specially applied by hand.
Special printing Reissue of a stamp of current or
recent design, often with distinctive colour, paper or perforations.
Special Regulations for the Evaluation of Exhibits
(SREV) Each competitive exhibiting class has specific SREV based
upon the General Regulations for the Evaluation of Exhibits (GREV)
and additional interpretive guidelines to assist the jury and
exhibitor.
Special stamps Regular postage stamp issues that
fall outside the traditional definitions of commemorative and
definitive stamps. In the US, holiday issues such as Contemporary
Christmas, Traditional Christmas, Hanukkah and the like are
considered special stamps. They are printed in substantially greater
quantities than commemorative stamps, and sometimes return to press
for additional printings. Love stamps are also considered special
stamps.
Specialised exhibition An exhibition, at
International or national level, which has a restricted number of
competitive classes
Specialist A stamp collector who intensively
studies and collects the stamps and postal history of a given
country, area, or time period, or who has otherwise limited his
collecting field.
Specimen 1) Under the rules of the UPU all issues
of stamps issued by its members must be circulated through its
offices to other member countries. Such stamps are for
identification purposes and to the philatelic press and trade for
publicity purposes. They are usually overprinted or punched with the
word “SPECIMEN” or equivalent
Specimen 2) Sample stamps, usually overprinted
“Specimen”, distributed free via the philatelic press or to the
trade. See also “Presentation sets”
Specimen 3) Stamps overprinted officially by postal
administrations to prevent re-use.
Speculative issue A stamp or issue released
primarily for sale to collectors, rather than to meet any legitimate
postal need.
SPIFS Meaning “Stamps Perforated for Individuals or
Firms” (in Europe). Also see “Perfin”
Splice The repair of a break in a roll of stamp
paper, or the joining of two rolls of paper for continuous printing.
Stamps printed over a splice are usually removed and destroyed
before the normal stamps are issued.
Split stamps Fragments of stamps used postally to
represent an appropriate portion of their original value. See also
“bisect”, “trisect” and “quadrisect”.
SPLSM Single Position Letter Sorting Machine or
Elsie
Sponsored booklets Booklets sponsored by commercial
firms etc.
Spoon cancellations Experimental duplex handstamp
introduced in England in 1854.
Spray watermark Name of the watermark of a flower
in machine made paper used for British postage stamps between 1867
and 1880.
Square roulette The cuts are in the form of a
series of small squares. See “roulette”.
Squared circle The first type of combined date and
obliterator of stamps used in England & Wales between 1879 and
1914.
Squeakers Novelty postcards that have an embedded
mechanical device that ‘squeaks’ when the card is pressed. Typically
these cards depict animals.
SREV “Special Regulations for the Evaluation of
Exhibits”
SREV “Special Regulations for the Evaluation of
Exhibits”
SSO Station Sorting Office
St Andrews Cross label A stamp sized piece of paper
bearing diagonally crossed lines in the form of the cross of St
Andrew.
Stamp An officially issued postage label, often
adhesive, attesting that payment has been rendered for mail
delivery. Initially used as a verb, meaning to imprint or impress;
as in, to stamp a design.
Stamp Box A printed rectangle on the address side
of the postcard that indicates where the postage stamp should be
placed. Many stamp boxes are printed with series numbers or, for
real photo postcards, carry the photo paper publisher details or
postage rates and can be used to date the postcard.
Stamp card Laminated Card similar to a credit card
bearing peelable self-adhesive stamps. Used in North Korea in 1993.
Stamp collecting A hobby devoted to collecting and
study of philatelic material.
Stamp currency Unused postage stamps or postage
stamp design on card used as coins.
Stamp Department frank free postage “Government
Department printed frank” (see also). A design used c 1894.
Stamp duty 1) is a tax levied on documents.
Historically, this included the majority of legal documents such as
cheques, receipts, military commissions, marriage licences and land
transactions. A physical stamp (a revenue stamp) had to be attached
to or impressed upon the document to denote that stamp duty had been
paid before the document was legally effective. More modern versions
of the tax no longer require an actual stamp.
Stamp duty 2) An inscription usually found on
fiscal stamps.
Stamp mounts Stamp mounts are plastic strips,
gummed on one side, designed to safely display stamps and other
items. The mounts may be purchased pre-cut or come in strips or
sheets which are cut, normally using a guillotine, to the size of
the material to be inserted. The item is inserted into the mount,
the gummed back of the mount is lightly moistened on the back edge,
then pressed into the appropriate space. No adhesives touch the
items and they can be removed for examination and re-inserted into
the mount without physical damage to the item. There are two types
of mounts, those with a black background and those with a clear
background. (Compare with ‘hinges’)
Stamp packet Exchange Packet used in Philatelic
Societies circulated among members to enable them to obtain stamps.
Stamp points A loyalty programme introduced by NZ
Post for their philatelic customers in 1996. Based on one point per
dollar spent a range of products could be redeemed. Initially the
products included three miniature sheets each of which
included three stamps issued over the preceding year entitled “Best
of 1996”; a selection of six stamp art prints and a stamp art
calendar. In 2001 the art prints, calendar and miniature sheets were
withdrawn and imperforate sheets of stamps of a past issue including
se-tenant strips of all designs introduced. With the return of
the “Best of …” miniature sheets in 2002 the product range has
remained unchanged. Stamps in some of the “Best of …” miniature
sheets differ in perforation from those originally issued.
Stamped envelope A mailable envelope with postage
embossed or imprinted on it.
Stamped paper Paper bearing an impressed fiscal
stamp.
Stamped postal card The current term for a mailable
card with postage imprinted on it.
Stampless cover 1) A folded sheet or envelope
carried as mail without a postage stamp. This term usually refers to
covers predating the requirement that stamps be affixed to all
letters.
Stampless cover 2) A cover which has passed through
the post since the advent of adhesive stamps which does not bear an
adhesive or imprinted stamp.
Stamp-vending machine A machine containing a roll
of stamps. The insertion of a coin operated the mechanism so that
one stamp was projected through a slot in the machine and it was
detached from the roll by being pulled. Some machines projected two
stamps (e.g. two 3d stamps for a 6d coin).
Standard Post The rate for a basic domestic letter
Standard Size Introduced in GB November 1899 (Court
size), measuring 3½ x 5½ in (90 x 140 mm).
Standing Helvetia 1882-1907 definitive designs of
Switzerland.
STC Stated to Catalogue. The term used by
auctioneers for lots where the vendor has calculated the Catalogue
value. The auctioneer does not bear any responsibility for this
statement.
Steamship companies Stamps issued by Steamship
Companies to prepay postage on letters carried by their mail
steamers between certain ports.
Step and repeat machine An apparatus by means of
which an image on glass is projected as many times as required on to
a large glass photographic plate, stepped at exact intervals and
repeated along successive rows with photographic and mathematical
precision.
Stereotype A solid metallic plate for printing cast
from a mould of movable type.
Stereotyping A method of producing a printing
surface that was commonly employed for newspapers. Impressions from
printing type are transferred to papier-mâché moulds into which
molten metal is poured. When the cast solidified it forms the
printing base.
Stitch watermark A watermark caused by the stitches
in the wire or cloth web upon which the paper is made.
Stock book A specially manufactured blank book
containing rows of pockets on each page to hold stamps.
Straight edge Flat-plate or rotary-plate stamps
from the margins of panes where the sheets were cut apart.
Straight-edge stamps have no perforations on one or two adjacent
sides. Sometimes straight-edge stamps show a guideline.
Strike posts Emergency posts set up to maintain
communications during strikes.
Strip Three or more unseparated stamps in a row,
vertically or horizontally.
Strip Three or more un-severed stamps in a row.
Strubell Collectors name for Swiss stamps of
1854-62.
Subject collecting The collecting of stamps
according to designs appearing on them. See also “Thematic
collecting”.
Submarine posts Wartime postal services which
carried mail by submarine.
Subsidiary die See “Die”.
Substituted transfer In the lithographic process if
a transfer to a stone is faulty or wrongly placed on the original
transfer can be erased and a fresh transfer laid down on the stone
in its place.
Sulphuretted Oxidisation of stamps.
Sunday delivery stamps Stamps produced for use on
mail intended for delivery on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Surcharge An overprint that changes or restates the
denomination of a stamp or postal stationery item. See also
“Overprint”.
Surface coloured paper Paper with colour printed
all over its surface, as opposed to that which has been dyed
throughout its manufacture.
Surface printing Used of printing by the
letterpress process.
Surface-coloured paper Paper coloured on the
surface only, with a white or uncoloured back.
Surtax The portion of a semi-postal stamp purchase
price exceeding the postage value. The surtax is designated for
donation to a charity or some other purpose.
Susse perforation A coarse perforation unofficially
applied to early French stamps.
Sweatbox A closed box containing dampened
sponge-like material, over which stuck-together unused stamps are
placed on a grill. Humidity softens the gum, allowing separation of
stamps. In some cases, the sweatbox may be used to help remove a
postally used stamp from envelope paper.
Swiftair An express airmail service of Royal Mail.
Sydney Views The first stamp issue of New South
Wales 1850
Syncopated perforation Uneven perforation where the
spaces between the perforation holes are uneven because some pins
have been removed.
T
T Abbreviation for the French “Taxe”.
Hand-stamped on a cover, it indicates postage due has been charged.
Several countries have used regular stamps with a perforated initial
T as postage dues.
Tab Paper with a special descriptive inscription
attached to a stamp but separated by a row of perforation holes.
Tablet 1) A small enclosed area in the design of a
stamp containing the value in figures.
Tablet 2) French Colonial key type.
Tagged stamps / Tagging Phosphor
material on stamps used to activate automatic mail-handling
equipment. This may be lines, bars, letters, part of the design area
or the entire stamp surface. The tagging may also permeate the stamp
paper. Some stamps are issued both with and without tagging.
Catalogues describe them as tagged or untagged.
Taille Douce (French) Term used for line
engraving printing.
Target cancellation A numeral obliterator
consisting of numerals in concentric circles.
TATOM Royal Mail-designed Tracking and Tracing of
Overseas Mail computer system.
Tax Perçue (French) “Charge Paid”
Tax Post A service of Royal Mail introduced in 1984
to expedite mail of the Inland Revenue Offices.
Tax Stamps Revenue stamps issued for the payment
of, or for noting matters relating to, the payment of or exemption
from a tax, levy or other fiscal imposition or duty. See also “fee
stamps” and “credit stamps”.
Teeth The protruding points along the outer edge of
a perforated postage stamp when it has been removed from the pane.
Telegraph cancel Special obliterations or holes
denoting use on a telegraph form.
Telegraph stamp Label used for the prepayment of
telegraph fees. Telegraph stamps resemble postage stamps.
Telephone stamps Stamps issued to pay charges for
telephone calls.
Testing label A stamp sized label used for testing
automatic stamp vending machines.
Tête-bêche (French) ‘head to tail’. Pair
(or more) of stamps one of which has been printed upside down
(inverted) in relation to the other.
Text Any message, poem, advertisement or title
printed on the picture side of the postcard.
Thematic collecting A thematic collection includes
philatelic items regardless of their age or country of origin that
relate to a theme (or a story line). It’s the story that
differentiates a thematic from a topical collector. Using birds as
an example a topical collector would save only philatelic items
depicting birds while a thematic collector expands that approach by
telling a story about birds: their origins, physical differences,
habitat, migratory routes, breeding, etc.
Thematic exhibit An exhibit in an FIP class which
utilises widest range of appropriate postal-philatelic material
connected to the chosen theme. The exhibit should develop the theme
according to a plan demonstrating thematic and philatelic knowledge.
Compare with “Topical exhibit” and “Open exhibit”.
Thermographic (thermochromic) ink When a stamp
incorporates a thermochromic (heat sensitive) ink the design changes
to reveal a different image. [NZ 2006 Gold Rush 45c stamp
reveals gold in pan, 2007 ‘Classic Kiwi lingo’ reveals the plain
English version of the saying.]
Thermography A printing technique for obtaining a
pattern in relief by heating a resinous compound adhering to
printing ink.
Thickness (of paper) The paper on which stamps are
printed varies in thickness (see Micron).
Thinned A stamp which has lost its original
thickness.
Tied A stamp is said to be tied to a cover when the
cancel extends over both the stamp and the envelope paper. Stamps
can also be tied by the aging of the mucilage or glue that holds
them to the paper.
Timbre (French) Stamp
Timbre Cote Vue (French) “Stamp on view
side”. A fad which placed the postage stamp on the picture side of
the postcard. The term told authorities that the stamp is placed
upon the view side. Sometimes these words were hand printed or
applied with rubber stamps, can also be omitted.
Tin Can Mail Mail conveyed in the sea in tin cans
or bottles.
Tinsel Substance similar to glitter that was used
to decorate postcards.
T-mark 1) A mark in the form of the letter T
engraved on dies by Waterlow & Sons Ltd. It is taken up by the
transfer roller and facilitates the placing of the roller by
reference to marks on the plate so that an impression is rolled –in
in the correct position. It is usual for the marks to be burnished
off the plate but some copies of the Peace issue are found showing
the marks.
T-mark 2) A plate marking found on the selvedge.
T-mark 3) International postage due mark.
To Pay labels Special designation used by the
British Post Office for postage due stamps, but also used where
Customs and handling fees were to be collected. The use of these
labels ceased in Great Britain on 28 January 2000. Amounts payable
are known shown by use of a rubber stamp.
Tombstone cancel Naval censorship cancellation in
the shape of a tombstone in use in the British Empire during WWII.
Tone spot A mark on a stamp of brown rusty
appearance which detracts from its value.
Toned paper Paper which is ‘off white’ especially
with a brownish or buff tinge.
Tong See “Tweezer”
Too Late Mark to explain reason for delay to mail,
which has been posted too late to connect with the last despatch on
that day. “Après le Depart” (French)
Topic Stamp, cover, postmark or other philatelic
item showing a given subject. Examples are flowers, art, birds or
elephants.
Topical A card that fits into a specific subject
category. Not scenes or views.
Topical collecting Collecting of philatelic
material by the topic depicted on them, rather than by country of
origin. See also “Thematic collecting”.
Topical exhibit An exhibit in a national (non-FIP)
class which utilises philatelic material where the topic is
represented in the design of that material. Compare with “Thematic
exhibit” and “Open exhibit”.
Topographical (or Topo) Used to describe cards
showing street scenes and general views where this is more dominant
than a particular subject e.g. a tram. (Also termed ‘view card’)
TOPS (French)Tri des objects plats – the
carriage of flat objects
Touch–out If flaws develop in places where they are
clearly seen as extraneous to the design, it is usual to remove them
by using a graver or burnisher. In doing this portions of the design
might also be removed. in such cases it is practice to retouch the
affected part. See also “retouch” and “touch-up”.
Touch–up Faults of omission which are noticed in
the proofs run off a plate or cylinder before it is put to press are
corrected by use of a graver or burin to cut any missing of
defective portions of the design. In recess prints a touch-up or a
retouch will show in colour while in relief prints this treatment
will increase the uncoloured areas. See also “retouch” and
“touch-out”.
Toughra English version of the Ottoman Turkish
tughra. A calligraphic monogram, seal or signature unique
to each Ottoman sultan affixed to all official documents and
correspondence. Toughras served a purpose similar to the Royal
Cypher of British monarchs.
Tourist publicity stamps Stamps showing places of
interest in the issuing country.
TPO see “Travelling Post Office”.
Tracking labels Labels with serial numbers and
barcodes which enable details of any parcel or letters sent to be
traced subsequent to posting.
Tradecards Advertising cards issued before 1900.
Often given away in products or with the purchase of a product.
Traditional philately exhibit An exhibit in an FIP
class which can embrace all aspects of philately including those
which may be used in other FIP classes and which supports the story
contained in the exhibit. This story must be developed according to
a logical plan leading through the exhibit. An exhibit that does not
principally follow the special rules of other philatelic classes may
be considered and judged as a traditional philately exhibits.
Traditional philately exhibit An exhibit in an FIP
class which can embrace all aspects of philately including those
which may be used in other FIP classes and which supports the story
contained in the exhibit. This story must be developed according to
a logical plan leading through the exhibit. An exhibit that does not
principally follow the special rules of other philatelic classes may
be considered and judged as a traditional philately exhibits.
Traffic lights Collectors’ term for the colour
check marks (often circles) found in sheet margins.
Transfer cylinder In printing with the photogravure
process, the cylinder has recesses (cells) chemically etched on its
surface that fills with ink as it passes through the ink trough, a
doctor blade then scrapes the excess ink off the surface, leaving
the ink in the cells, which is then transferred onto the paper; one
cylinder for each of the primary colours (red, blue and yellow) and
black can produce all visible colours. (Also known as the ‘four
colour process’)
Transfer In stamp production by the Perkins die and
mill process designs are transferred from an intaglio engraved die
to a roller die and from this to the printing plate.
Transfer roller A steel roller on which an
impression is or impressions are transferred from a die. The
transfer roller is then used in a press to lay down the impression
in a plate. See also “Double transfer”, “Foreign entry”.
Transit mark A postal marking applied by a post
office between the originating and receiving post offices. It can be
on the front or back of a cover, card or wrapper.
Transit postmark A postmark applied to a cover at
some point in its transmission between posting and delivery.
Transorma A machine for sorting incoming mail for
street delivery installed and used in the United Kingdom for mail
addresses to the Brighton area 1935-1968.
Transparency A type of Hold to Light postcard. See
“Hold to light”.
Transparency Postcards See “Hold to light”.
Transposed subject A rare error in which a subject
or image for one printing plate is inserted by mistake into another.
Travelling post office (TPO) Mobile Post Office
usually on a train but sometimes in a bus or van or boat (e.g. ferry
service on Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria). Usually have special
cancellations.
Treasury competition In 1839 the British Treasury
offered prizes of £200 and £100 for the best suggestions “as to the
manner in which the projected new postage stamp might best be
brought into use” Over 2,500 entries were received and four prizes
of £100 were awarded, but none of the suggestions were put into use.
Treasury essay A proposed stamp design submitted in
1839 to the competition organised by the British Treasury.
Treasury roulette An experimental form of
separation of line engraved postage stamps of Great Britain showing
shallow waved edges with internal cuts applied by a revolving wheel
with an independent circumference.
Treaty Ports Chinese seaports opened to European
trade by the Treaty of Nanking in 1842.
Treble impression Varieties with one inked and two
albino impressions.
Trials Impressions from a die, punch, plate, stone
or other printing surface to test that the design and or colour is
correct.
Triangulars Three-sided stamps.
Trimmed Term denoting adhesive stamps whose
perforations have been clipped owing to faulty guillotining of
booklet panes or coils.
Triple comb perforation Machine perforates two rows
and three sides of each stamp in a third row at each
operation. See “Comb perforation” and “Double comb
perforation”.
Triple perforation Similar to double perforations
but with two extra rows added. All three rows have the same gauge.
TRIPOS Traffic Recording Installations in Parcel
Office Systems
Triptych A se-tenant strip of three related stamps
forming one overall design and printed side by side in the sheet.
Trisect A stamp divided into three parts. See
“bisect” and “split stamp”.
Tudor Rose watermark Watermark similar to an
heraldic Tudor Rose.
Tweezers Small metal two pronged instrument used by
collectors to pick up stamps without using their fingertips
preventing stamps from being soiled by dirt, oil or perspiration.
[In the US called ‘tongs’.]
Two tier post A postal service operating at two
distinct levels and offering two separate tariffs.
Type 1) The particular characteristic of the design
of a stamp. Catalogues use type numbers or letters to save space.
Catalogues show a typical design of one type rather than every stamp
with that design or a similar design.
Type 2) Metal or wood pieces each bearing a letter
of other symbol used for printing.
Typeset stamps Stamps printed from an arrangement
of printer’s type assembled to make a design.
Typewritten stamps Stamps which have been produced
wholly or partly by typewriting.
Typographic A printing process which includes
“letterpress”, “relief”, “electrotyping”, “stereotyping and
“embossing”.
Typographical cancellation Cancellation applied to
stamps by letterpress printing.
U
U-boat mail Mail carried by German Submarines
during both world wars.
Ultra violet lamp see “UV lamp” and also “Quartz
Lamp”
Ultramer Overprint applied at Lisbon to stamps
distributed by the UPU for Portuguese Colonies
UM Unmounted mint. See “mint”.
Unappropriated die Die used to produce many British
fiscal and revenue stamps.
Uncatalogued Known to exist but not listed in any
catalogue
Undenominated stamps Stamps which do not show a
face value.
Underprint 1) Anything printed underneath the main
design of a stamp, banknote or similar item. It is used as a
security measure to prevent forgery, or the cleaning of a postmark
from a used stamp. The most common form of underprinting is burelage
which takes the form of a faint pattern of lines or dots. It may
also take the form of single or repeating words, for instance the
word CUSTOMS at one time appeared underprinted on British revenue
stamps.
Underprint 2) The term is also used to refer to
advertising or other wording printed on the back of stamps. For
example, in the UK underprints were applied by firms as early as
1858 to their own stocks of stamps to protect themselves against
petty pilfering by staff. From 1866 until 1882, the Post Office
provided an official underprinting service (these differed from the
unofficial underprints in being printed under the gum).
Undivided back Early postcards that carried the
recipient’s address and postage stamp on one side and the message
had to be written on the ‘picture’ side. In 1902 Great Britain
introduced the divided back, on one side of the card would be the
picture, the other would have both the recipients address and
senders message with a dividing line between the two. The transition
from undivided to divided back took several years as postal
authorities around the world adopted common standards. Undivided
backs on postcards help date the cards (see divided back)
Unemployed intellectuals stamps Stamps issued by
France between 1935 and 1940 with a premium in aid of the
unemployed.
Ungummed A stamp without gum. Un-gummed stamps are
either stamps issued without gum or an un-cancelled gummed stamp
that has had its gum soaked off. Many countries in tropical climates
have issued stamps without gum.
Unhinged A stamp without hinge marks, but not
necessarily with original gum.
Uniform Fourpenny Post From 5 December 1839 to 9
January 1840 letters posted in GB were charged a uniform rate of 4d
instead of postage calculated by distance.
Uniform Penny Post Started in GB on 10 January 1840
with a basic rate of 1d per half ounce regardless of distance
carried, discontinued in 1918.
Uniform postage A postal system whereby mail is
conveyed at a flat rate irrespective of distance or any other factor
apart from weight.
Unissued stamps Stamps which have been prepared for
issue but for some reason have not been issued for postal use.
Universal colours Colours adopted by members of the
UPU for stamps prepaying three classes of postal service: green
basic foreign printed matter, red internal postcards, blue internal
single rate letters. The use of these colours was ignored by many
countries and abandoned by the UPU in 1953
Universal Postal Union (UPU) An
international organization of postal administrations with its
headquarters in Berne, established in 1874 (and since 1949 a
specialized agency of the United Nations Organization), which
regulates international mail by establishing standards and
procedures for such things as rates, accounting, and reimbursement.
It is widely regarded as the most (some might say the only)
successful effort at international cooperation, and is the reason
you can drop a letter addressed to a foreign country into a mailbox
with confidence it will reach its destination almost anywhere in the
world! While its rules are not entirely mandatory, they are made
with the implicit understanding that any nation that fails to obey
them could have its foreign mails denied delivery.
Unlisted A stamp which does not appear in a stamp
catalogue.
Unmounted mint (UM) The stamp is unused and appears
never to have been mounted. Similar to mint never hinged (MNH) but
sometimes is seen to have the connotation that it has been tampered
with to remove traces of mounting.
Unofficial stamps Stamps issued by bus, airline and
shipping companies to prepay charges on their parcels and packets.
Unpaid letter stamps see “Postage Due”
Unused An un-cancelled stamp that has not been used
but has a hinge mark or some other characteristic or defect that
keeps it from being considered a mint stamp. Un-cancelled stamps
without gum may have been used and missed being cancelled, or they
may have lost their gum by accident.
UPU circulars
UPU see “Universal Postal Union”
US Postmasters’ provisionals Issued in a number of
US cities between 1845 when uniform postal rates were established by
Congress and 1847 when US postage stamps were first issued.
Used A stamp or stationery item that has been
cancelled by a postal authority to prevent its reuse on mail. In
general, a used stamp is any stamp with a cancel or a pre-cancelled
stamp without gum. See also “Postally Used” and “Philatelic Cover”.
Categories of Used are: Superb Used, Fine Used, Good Used and Used.
Used abroad Stamps of one country used and
postmarked in another.
Used fiscally Postage stamps inscribed postage
& revenue used for the payment of revenue charges.
Used on cover Stamps postmarked and preserved on
the original cover.
Used on piece Stamp kept on part of the original
cover to preserve the complete postmark.
Used stamp Stamp that has been used postally and
bears at least part of a postmark
UV lamp An ultraviolet lamp used to detect tagging
(see also).
V
V Mail A form of Airgraph (see also) used by the US
Forces during WW2.
Value block The top right-hand corner of a sheet of
stamps, containing the dollar value of the entire sheet.
Value tablet The panel on a stamp carrying the
declared monetary value.
Variable value stamp A gummed or self-adhesive
stamp of a common design, issued by a machine similar to an
Automatic Teller Machine, with a value of the user’s choice printed
at the time the stamp is dispensed. The value may be variable or
from a fixed selection of postal rates. The stamps and machines are
typically for use in retail or post office environments. They are
closely related to meter stamps. See also “Automatenmarken” and
“Frama labels”.
Variety A variation from the standard form of a
stamp. Varieties include different watermarks, inverts,
imperforates, missing colours, wrong colours and major colour
shifts. See also “Freak”, “Error”.
Varnish lines Bars of varnish applied across the
face of stamps.
VCS Video coding system
Vending machine booklet Booklet of stamps prepared
to be sold by a vending machine.
Vending machine stamps Stamps produced for use in
stamp vending machines.
Vermeil (French) a term that strictly means gilded
silver. Used in philately to mean silver-gold to fit within a
hierarchy of “medal” from Gold, Large Vermeil, Vermeil to Large
Silver.
Vermeil (French) a term that strictly means gilded
silver. Used in philately to mean silver-gold to fit within a
hierarchy of “medal” from Gold, Large Vermeil, Vermeil to Large
Silver.
Vertical pair imperforate between A pair of stamps
that is fully perforated at the top, sides and bottom but has no
perforation between the two.
Victorian Postcards Dating from the era of Queen
Victoria who reigned from 1837 until 1901. It was during Victoria’s
reign that Britain’s penny post service was introduced (in 1840) and
in 1870 the first postcard was made available, a pre-printed
correspondence card with a half penny universal delivery charge. The
availability of this fixed cost and reliable postal service resulted
in a wide and rapid public acceptance of the medium. New Zealand
produced its first picture postcards in December 1897, and the first
private picture postcard in 1899.
Victory stamps Stamps commemorating victory after
major wars.
View Cards Postcards that feature cities and places
within cities, such as parks, main streets, depots, store fronts,
bridges, and roads and are not topicals. View cards have,
since postcards began, been the mainstay of the collecting field.
View cards offer historic reference to buildings, streets, and even
towns which may no longer exist or have changed significantly over
time.
Vignette 1) The central part of a stamp design,
usually surrounded by a border. In some cases the vignette shades
off gradually into the surrounding area.
Vignette 2) Usually found on undivided back cards,
consisting of a design that does not occupy the whole of the picture
side. Vignettes may be anything from a small sketch in one corner of
the card, to a design cover three quarters of the card. The purpose
is to leave some space for the message to be written, as the entire
reverse of the card could only be used for the address.
Vin Fiz A Wright Brothers biplane that in
1911 became the first aircraft to fly coast-to-coast across the US,
a journey taking almost three months. The flight was also used to
promote an airmail service and 25 cent semi-official stamps were
sold for items to be carried on the airplane. The Post Office
tolerated them but insisted that mail carry regular stamps as well.
Twelve Vin Fiz stamps are known to exist – seven on
postcards, one on a cover, and four individual stamps. Referenced in
SREVs for Aerophilately.
Vinegar Verse Usually found on Valentine Postcards,
these curt and sometimes very hurtful messages offered an
alternative to the overly sweet sentiments. Definitely not
politically correct by modern standards.
Vintage Photograph A vintage photograph is a
photograph that was made around the same time as the negative was
made. Example: If a picture was taken in 1903 and the image was then
printed in 1903, then that photograph would be a vintage one. If the
same image was printed again in 1956, instead of 1903, that
photograph would not be vintage, but would be marked as “printed
later.”
VR (Latin) Victoria Regina “Queen
Victoria”. On the NZ 1891 Government Life Insurance Department
stamps the letters “V” and “R” appear in script on either side of
the lighthouse. The design of the 1905 and for the new plates
used in the 1913 printing these letters do not appear. Commonly
called “No VR”.
VRI (Latin)
Victoria Regina Imperatrix “Queen Victoria Empress”.
Overprint applied from 1900 to stamps issued in Orange Free State
under British occupation.
W
WADP World Association for the Development of
Philately created by UPU in 1997. The aim of WADP is to develop and
promote philately through philatelic partners and designated
operators. To combat the problem of illegal issues and to promote
philately, the WADP created the WNS website in 2002, which now has
195 members.
Walk sequence the order in which a postman (or mail
carrier) does their delivery rounds. Automatic mail sorting
systems are capable of ordering the mail to match the walk sequence.
See also “Walksort”.
Walksort Service offered by Royal Mail where bulk
posting are sorted by the sender into the Postman’s walks.
Wallpaper Slang for stamps that have little or no
value.
WAND Worldwide Advanced Network Distribution
Want list A list of needed stamps or covers,
identified by catalogue number or some other description, submitted
by a collector to a dealer, usually including requirements on
condition and price.
War stamp A stamp which is issued in time of war to
raise additional revenue, and inscribed WAR STAMP or WAR TAX or such
similar words.
War Tax stamps Stamps issued to raise money in
wartime generally inscribed ‘WAR TAX’.
Water-activated adhesive / gum Stamp gum designed
to adhere to envelope paper only if the gum is moistened. All gummed
stamps before 1963 used water-activated adhesive. See also
“Self-adhesive stamp”.
Waterleaf paper A type of un-sized paper. The lack
of internal sizing, a material added to most paper pulp to impart
water resistance, gives waterleaf papers the ability to absorb water
or other fluids readily and instantly.
Waterlow & Sons Ltd, of London Wall and
Watford. Were connected with NZ stamps from 1898 to 1958.
Waterlow Bros & Layton Ltd made two trial
plates introduced for the Penny Universal.
Waterlow paper A thick soft paper supplied by
Waterlow & Sons.
Watermark A design, device or pattern usually of
wire or metal called Bits (see also) impressed into paper during
manufacture which creates a deliberate thinning of paper during its
manufacture to produce a semi-translucent pattern. Watermarks appear
frequently in paper used in stamp printing or envelope manufacture.
The purpose is largely for protection against duplication of the
paper. The watermarks are numerous in size and design and can be
detected by placing in a special watermark detector. When a
watermark contains letter, the normal position is with the letter
upright and reading the correct way when viewed through the front of
the stamp. See also “Batonne” and “Dandy Roll”.
Watermark bits The designs in metal attached to the
frame or dandy roll (see also) for producing watermarks in the
paper.
Watermark detector Device to aid the identification
of watermarks.
Watermark error Stamps may be found with part or
all of the watermark missing or the incorrect watermark for that
issue.
Watermark inverted When a sheet of paper has been
fed through the press the right side to the plate, but upside down.
It is inverted in relation to the design on the face.
Watermark reversed Term used when a sheet of paper
has been fed through the press the wrong side to the printing
surface.
Watermark sideways The printing of stamps for sale
in rolls needs a different arrangement of the printing materials in
relation to the paper with the result that the stamps are printed
sideways to the paper and the watermark reads vertically instead of
horizontally across the stamps.
Way Letters Letters collected by a postman and
delivered by him on his round without necessarily going through a
Post Office.
Web A continuous roll of paper used in stamp
printing.
Weigh and pay machine A machine that enables an
item being posted to weigh, calculate the required postage and
produce the label or meter to be affixed. These may be installed in
post offices for public use or in offices for private use.
Wet printing Printing on paper that has been
moistened to make it more resilient and receptive to printer’s
ink. Has a moisture content of 15-35 percent, compared to 5-10
percent for “dry’ printings, also has a duller look than “dry’
printings. Stamps from such sheets vary in size from dry printings
owing to shrinkage on drying.
White backs Collector’s term for certain British
Commonwealth stamps printed on paper coloured yellow or green on the
printing surface but left uncoloured on the other side.
White Border The border around
many postcards after the golden age.
Wiggins Teape & Alex Pirie Ltd is a combination
of two old established paper making firms which made paper for a
significant number of NZ stamps.
Wilding The name given to British definitive
stamps, issued 1952-67, bearing the Queen’s head from a photographic
portrait by Dorothy Wilding.
Winchester paper A type of security paper with a
surface tinted grey blue pattern to prevent re-use and forgery.
Window booklet A booklet of stamps which originally
revealed the stamps inside through a cut out in the cover of the
booklet.
Wing margin Very wide margin found on stamps
printed in pane formation and perforated with only one central
vertical line in the inter pane gutters. British sheets printed
before 1880 were perforated down the centre of the gutter, producing
oversized margins on one side of stamps adjacent to the gutter. Such
copies are distinctive and scarcer than normal copies.
WNS WADP Numbering System website was created to
combat illegal stamp issues and become a reference website for
collectors and resellers. The system officially registers every
postage stamp issued by WNS members (UPU members and the UN Postal
Administration) as notified by designated operators, not by agents
or printers) and assigns each stamp a unique number.
Woodblock Stamp printed directly from an engraving
on wood.
WOPA World Online Philatelic Agency (WOPA) is a
site where collectors can purchase new issue stamps and collectibles
from a range of countries in one website.
Working stone term applied by printers to denote
the completed lithographic stone from which the sheets of stamps are
printed.
Worn Impression see “Worn plate”
Worn plate A printing plate which through constant
usage is showing extensive signs of wear.
Wove paper A paper showing few differences in
texture and thickness when held to light. In the production of wove
paper, the pulp is pressed against a very fine netting, producing a
virtually uniform texture. Wove paper is the most commonly used
paper in stamp production.
Wrapper A flat sheet or strip, open at both ends
that can be folded and sealed around a newspaper or periodical.
Wrappers can have an imprinted stamp or have a stamp attached.
Wreck cover An item of mail salvaged from a
shipwreck. See also “Crash Mail”.
Wrigley, James & Co Ltd made some of the paper
used by Waterlow & Sons for the 1898 pictorials.
Write Away A postcard on which the first few words
of the sender’s message has been included in the design. Often the
illustration is of a comic nature and depicts the write away phrase.
Phrases such as ‘I shall be under the clock…’, ‘I really must
stop…’, ‘I must remember…’, and so on. These cards were very popular
in the first years of the 1900s.
X
X list List kept at every British Post Office
(1886-1915) on which was entered the details of all parcels which
were carried by rail, in order that payment may be made to the
Railway Company.
Xeroxed stamps Stamps produced by a photocopying
machine.
Xylography The art of engraving on wood.
Y
Yacht key type Designs used for stamps of the
German Colonies between 1900 and 1914.
Year book/pack A book or pack issued by various
countries which contain all the commemorative and special issue
stamps made in the country during the designated year with
background information.
Youth classes Three Age Groups are defined by FIP
according to their age at 1 January in the year of an
exhibition. These age groups are generally followed for all
National exhibitions (A) 10 to 15 (in NZ up to and including 15);
(B) 16 to 18; and (C) 19 to 21 years old. Minimum and Maximum number
of frames in an exhibit are (A) 1-3 frames; (B) 2-4 frames; and (C)
3-5 frames. In New Zealand a number of National (non-FIP) classes
are also available for youth including a Youth Development class and
a Developing Exhibit class where the entrant is permitted fewer than
the minimum number of frames specified by FIP.
Y-roulette The cuts are shaped like the letter Y.
See “roulette”.
Z
Zemstvo A local stamp issued by Russian municipal
governments or zemstvos, in accordance with an imperial edict of
1870.
Zemstvo Posts The name given to the services
organised by the Zemstvos, units of local Government in rural
Russia.
Zeppelin post Airmail services operated in
connection with the flights of German Airships.
Zeppelins The stamps issued for, or in honour of,
Zeppelin flights. Cacheted covers carried on such flights are
Zeppelin covers.
Z-Grill The rarest of a series of different
embossing security devices used in the USA between 1867 and 1870.
Zig Zag roulette Form of separation which produces
sharp pointed projections at the edges of stamps.
Zinc white or Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a pigment
material for paper coating to impart brightness and better printing
properties.
Zincography Printing from Zinc plates.
ZIP block US marginal marking block with the
selvage bearing the image of the “Mr ZIP” cartoon character and/or
an inscription urging the use of ZIP code. This first appeared on US
marginal selvage in 1964. Typically a ZIP block is a block of four
stamps.
ZIP code Postcode used in USA the name derived from
Zone Improvement Plan.
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