How To Tell Where A Stamp Comes From

Posted by slang on December 26, 2008

Sometimes when we collect stamps, due to the abbreviations or language, we do not know where the stamps come from. Append below a table sorted by alphabet for easy reference as to the stamp of origin:

Stamp Terms:Alphabet C

Posted by slang on December 25, 2008

Alphabet C:

Cachet:

• A special instruction or message printd on an envelope

Cancel/Cancellation:

• Postmark on a stamp which shows it has been used for postage

Cancelled To Order:

• in short CTO.
• Stamps which are specially cancelle for collectors, with very neat clean postmarks. Often, they are not sent through the post in the ordinary way or even struck onto envelopes.
• CTO stamps may still have gum on the back.

CDS:

• Abbreviation for ” circular datestamp”

Chalk-Surfaced:

• A chalky coating put onto stamp paper. The stamps look shiny because in time the chalk “polishes” the surface. Chalk-surfaced stamps also have watermarks which are difficult to see

Classic:

• Early stamps issued up to about 1900 which are either rare or beautifully designed and printed.

Cliche:

• Individual “stamp”(or other) part of a printing plate. Usually refers to stamps printed by letterpress

Coil:

• A stamp for a roll of stamps dispensed by automatic stamp vending(selling) machines

Color Trial:

• Test of a stamp design, printed in different colors to find out which are the best to use. Color trials are types of proofs

Commemorative:

• Stamp or set for events like anniversaries and other special occassions.

Controls:

• Letters and numbers printed in the margins of sheets of stamps to make it easier for the printer to check the stamps have been correctly printed.

Corner Block:

Block of stamps taken from the top or botto corners of a sheet of stamps. The sheet margin is still attached to the block.

Counterfeit:

• See Forgery

Comb Perforation:

• Create by a perforating machine which has perforating pins arranged like a comb

Cover:

• An envelope or wrapper used in the post.

CWO:

• Cash with order, that is sending payment for stamps when you order them.

Cylinder Number:

• Number printed in the margins of sheets of stamps to show which printing cylinder has been used.

Stamp Terms:Alphabet B

Posted by slang on

Stamp Terms:Alphabet B

Backstamp:

• Postmark applied to a postal item’s back.

Billingual:

• Stamps inscribed or printed in two languages. French and Flemish, for example, are used on stamps of Belgium, where both are spoken.

Bisect:

• A stamp cut in half, usually diagonally(on a slant) across the stamp.Used on an envelope, a bisect has half the value of the complete stamp. Bisects have been used where there is a shortage of low value stamps

Block:

• More than four stamps joined together in a square or oblong shape.

Bogus Stamp:

• A pretend stamp, for instance from a countrythat does not exist. Made to cheat collectors.

Booklet Pane:

• Small stiff-covered book of stamps in pane (like a block) sewn together on the left-hand side. Stamp panes may alternate with other panes showing post offce and other advertisements.

Stamp Terms:Alphabet A

Posted by slang on

Alphabet:A

Adhesive:

• A postage stamp issued after 1840 where the stamp has adhesive(gum) on its bac for sticking it onto envelopes

Aerogramme:

• Special letter made for sending by air. Made of light paper which can be foldd and sealed by gummed tabs.

Airmail:

• Sending mail by air.

Aniline:

• A “fugitive” ink that will run if soaked in water. Used to stop people using stamps twice. Aniline ink shows its color through the back of the stamp.

Approvals:

•  Stamps in small books or on card sent by dealers in the post. These are sent ” on approval” which means collectors choose the stamps they want to buy and return the rest with their payment.