Glossary of philatelic terms used on this site.
The Glossary
Block
In philately, a block is a group of postage stamps still attached to each other. Blocks are of interest not only because they are less common than individual stamps, but also because they preserve the relative positions of the stamps as they were originally printed — information that can be important for understanding how the stamps were produced, and which simplifies the process of perforation measurement.
Booklet
A postage stamp booklet is a small booklet containing one or more panes of postage stamps bound within a cardboard cover. Booklets are often made from sheets specially printed for this purpose, with a narrow selvedge on one side of each pane for binding. As a result of trimming, the panes are usually imperforate along the edges of the booklet. Smaller and easier to handle than full sheets of stamps, booklets have become a popular way to purchase stamps in many countries.
Cancellation
Cancellation is any mark applied to a stamp to prevent its reuse:
Postmarks, pen cancellations, overprints (such as "specimen", "sample", "inutilizado"), or perforations (punched holes).
A mute cancellation is a postmark without inscription, letters, or numbers (also known as a "killer").
The term "cancellation" is therefore generic, describing the function of invalidating a stamp, while "postmark" refers to a specific type of marking applied by a postal authority, often including date and place information.
In practice, most cancellations on modern mail are postmarks, but not all postmarks serve purely as cancellations, and not all cancellations qualify as postmarks.
Cancelled To Order (CTO)
Cancelled-to-order stamps are postage stamps cancelled by the postal administration before sale to collectors, and might be cancelled by regular or commemorative postmark.
These stamps are sometimes offered at a discount, as they are not valid for postage.
Cachet
A cachet is an illustrative or textual design added to a postal cover to commemorate a specific event, person, or anniversary. While commonly found on First Day Covers, these markings can also denote special flights, military history, or significant social milestones. Cachets may be produced officially by postal authorities or privately by independent artists and companies, using techniques ranging from simple rubber stamps to elaborate lithography and hand-painting.
Cinderella
In philately, a cinderella stamp is commonly defined as "virtually anything resembling a postage stamp, but not issued for postal purposes by an official postal administration..."
As cinderella stamps are defined by what they are not, the category includes many different types, and the term is usually interpreted quite broadly.
Items normally regarded as falling within this area include poster stamps, propaganda labels, commemorative stickers, stamps issued by unrecognised countries or governments, court fee stamps, charity labels such as Christmas seals and Easter seals, most telegraph stamps, some railway stamps, some local stamps, and purely decorative items created for advertising or amusement. Revenue stamps are sometimes considered cinderellas; however, since they are usually issued by an official government authority, they are often classified separately from other cinderella stamps.
Commemorative stamp
Commemorative stamps are postal releases designed to celebrate and remember specific events, locations, or figures, often on key dates. Most "Paleophilatelie" related stamps are commemorative stamps.
Definitive stamp
A definitive stamp is a standard postage issue intended for regular, long-term use by a country's postal service. Often called a "regular issue," these stamps remain on sale for an extended period, contrasting with "provisional stamps", issued temporarily during shortages. and "commemorative stamps", which celebrate specific people or events for a limited time. A definitive series typically features a wide range of denominations to meet all current postal rates.
Die-Cutting
Die-cutting is the primary method of separation for modern self-adhesive stamps, replacing the traditional metal-punched perforations used for gummed issues. In this process, a specialized metal die, similar to a sharp cookie cutter, shears through the stamp paper while leaving the underlying backing paper or release liner intact, a technique technically known as kiss cutting. The die can be configured into various shapes, including "straight-edge" or the more traditional "serpentine" pattern, which mimics the wavy appearance of standard perforations. Because the die makes a continuous, clean cut, die-cut stamps lack the torn paper fibers found on the "teeth" of traditional perforated stamps, resulting in a smoother edge that is less prone to accidental tearing during use.
First Day Cover (FDC)
A First Day Cover (FDC) is a postage stamp affixed to an envelope, postal card, or stamped paper and canceled on the initial day of its authorized use within the issuing jurisdiction. These items frequently feature a specialized "first day of issue" postmark, often a pictorial cancellation, identifying the specific city and date of release. While typically issued domestically, some releases may originate from overseas offices, and official postmarks may occasionally be applied retroactively according to national postal policy. To promote new issues, postal authorities often host inaugural ceremonies at significant locations, such as a subject's birthplace or a major philatelic exhibition, featuring appearances by dignitaries or related historical figures.
A Gallery of "Paleophilatelie" related FDC is here.
Gum
In philately, gum refers to the adhesive substance applied to the reverse side of a stamp, facilitating its attachment to postal items. This generic term encompasses both traditional organic materials, such as gum arabic, and contemporary synthetic or self-adhesive formulations. The preservation and classification of gum are of paramount importance in philately, as the presence of original gum (OG) often determines a specimen's rarity and value.
Gutter
In philately, a gutter refers to the margin or space separating individual postage stamps on a printed sheet, providing the necessary clearance for perforation or separation. While gutters are a standard feature of the initial printing process, they are often eliminated when large press sheets are guillotined into smaller panes for post office sale. Consequently, the gutter may not appear on a finished retail sheet unless specifically designed to remain as a decorative or functional element, such as in a "gutter pair" or "gutter block" configuration.
Gutter Pair
A gutter pair is a set of two postage stamps separated by the original gutter margin, rather than the standard line of perforation. These pairs are typically collected as horizontal or vertical units that remain joined across the central space of the printed sheet. Collectors value gutter pairs as they provide definitive evidence of a stamp's position within a larger layout, and they frequently feature unique decorative elements, such as "traffic lights" or other printer's markings.
Illegal stamps
Illegal stamps are unauthorized, stamp-like labels produced in the name of legitimate countries, territories, or fictitious entities without the consent of a recognized postal authority. These issues are classified as a subset of philatelic fakes and forgeries, specifically identified when a member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) requests an "International Bureau Circular" to denounce the labels. While no singular method exists for identifying every illegal issue, they are most prevalent in the names of nations from Africa, the former Soviet Union, and small island territories, often featuring popular topical subjects like wildlife, athletes, or celebrities. Because these labels lack postal validity, they are typically excluded from major philatelic catalogs such as Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Yvert & Tellier, and Michel. To combat this, the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) established the WADP Numbering System (WNS) to catalog legitimate issues, though participation among member nations remains voluntary.
Maximum Card (MC)
A maximum card, or "maxi-card," is a philatelic item consisting of three concordant elements: a picture postcard, a matching postage stamp, and a related postmark.
The defining characteristic is "concordance", where the subject of the stamp and the image on the postcard are as similar as possible, ideally with the stamp and cancellation applied directly to the picture side. The study and creation of these items is known as Maximaphily, one of the specialized classifications recognized by the International Federation of Philately (FIP).
Mint stamp
A mint stamp refers to a specimen in its original, unused state, retaining the exact condition it possessed at the time of issue. In a strict philatelic sense, this requires the stamp to be uncancelled, never mounted, and to possess its full original gum, if it was originally produced with adhesive.
Mint Never Hinged (MNH)
A Mint Never Hinged stamp is a specimen that retains its original, undisturbed adhesive exactly as it left the printing press. This designation is a critical factor in modern philately, as it confirms the stamp has never been mounted in an album using a hinge or any other adhesive carrier. Collectors frequently seek MNH examples for their pristine state, which often commands a significant price premium over hinged counterparts.
Mint Hinged (MH)
A Mint Hinged stamp is an unused specimen that shows evidence of having been previously mounted in a collection using a stamp hinge. This process typically leaves a small mark, disturbance, or remnant of the hinge on the original gum of the stamp's reverse side. While the stamp remains "mint" (unused), the presence of a hinge mark generally results in a lower valuation compared to a never-hinged example of the same issue.
Miniature-Sheet (MS)
A miniature sheet is a small group of postage stamps, typically comprising one to several specimens, printed on a single sheet that is smaller than a standard post office pane. Unlike a souvenir sheet, a miniature sheet often contains stamps that are also available individually in regular sheets, and the margins may contain decorative or functional inscriptions. These sheets are intended for both postal use and philatelic collections, often providing a more compact and aesthetically pleasing way to display a complete set of related stamps.
Overprint
An overprint is a secondary layer of text or graphics applied to a postage stamp after its initial production has been completed. This additional printing, which was not part of the original design, can consist of words, numerals, or patterns such as dots and stripes. Postal authorities utilize overprints for several administrative reasons, including changing a stamp's functional classification (e.g., from "postage" to "official"), updating a country's name due to political shifts, or adding commemorative slogans for special events. In some historical contexts, overprints are used to obscure the portrait of a deposed ruler or to signify a change in government. When an overprint specifically alters the face value of the stamp to a new denomination, it is technically referred to as a surcharge.
Perforation
Perforations are the series of small holes punched into the margins between postage stamps, facilitating their efficient separation from a printed sheet. Prior to the invention of this system by Henry Archer, who subsequently sold his patents to the British government, stamps were issued "imperforate", requiring the use of scissors or manual tearing, which often resulted in irregular or damaged edges. By the 1850s, the increasing volume of mail necessitated more rapid separation methods, leading to the development of rouletting wheels and, eventually, standardized perforation machinery.
In philately, the "gauge" of a stamp is determined by the number of perforation holes found within a linear span of two centimeters. Collectors utilize a specialized tool known as a perforation gauge to accurately measure these dimensions, as variations in gauge can often distinguish different printings or rare varieties of the same stamp design.
Postcard (PC)
A postcard is a rectangular card intended for transmission through the mail without an envelope. When produced by a national postal authority, it is technically termed a postal card and typically features a pre-printed "imprinted stamp" or indicium, classifying it as postal stationery. Conversely, the term "postcard" or "picture postcard" frequently refers to privately manufactured cards that lack pre-paid postage, instead featuring an illustration on one side and designated spaces for a stamp, message, and recipient address on the reverse. While postal cards are prized by stationery collectors for their official markings, picture postcards are primarily collected for their topographic or thematic imagery and are often categorized separately from official postal issues.
Postal Stationery (PS)
Postal stationery refers to a category of mailable items—including stamped envelopes, letter sheets, postal cards, aerogrammes, and wrappers—that feature an officially imprinted stamp or indicium. This pre-printed mark serves as definitive evidence that a specific postal rate or service has been prepaid, distinguishing it from standard stationery. Crucially, this classification excludes any picture postcard or envelope that does not possess a pre-printed stamp, as such items require the application of separate adhesive postage. Collectors of postal stationery often focus on the variety of paper types, watermarks, and printing methods used for the imprinted designs, which are cataloged separately from traditional postage stamps.
Precancel
A precanceled stamp, or precancel, is a postage issue that has been canceled by a postal authority prior to being affixed to an individual piece of mail. Primarily utilized by high-volume mass mailers, these stamps bypass the traditional canceling process, allowing for more efficient sorting and delivery of pre-prepared mailings. In various jurisdictions, such as Canada, Austria, and Great Britain, precancels have historically been applied to newspaper wrappers and other bulk media. Postal administrations typically provide a financial incentive—such as a reduced postage rate—for the use of these stamps, which are generally unavailable for purchase by the general public through standard retail channels.
Presentation Pack (PP)
A presentation pack is a specially designed folder produced by a postal authority to house a complete set of a new postage stamp issue. These packs typically consist of a decorative cardboard folder containing descriptive background notes about the stamps, a protective clear mount for the specimens, and a transparent outer sleeve.
Prestige Booklet (PB)
A prestige booklet is a specialized form of stamp booklet that contains several panes of stamps interspersed with informative, illustrated pages. Unlike a standard retail booklet, it is designed to provide comprehensive background information on the stamp's subject, often including historical details, technical data, and archival imagery. These booklets frequently contain unique stamp configurations, such as panes with decorative margins or specific combinations of denominations, that are not available in any other format. Due to their high production values and educational content, prestige booklets are primarily marketed to collectors and often command a premium over the face value of the stamps contained within.
Proof
A die proof is a high-quality impression pulled directly from the master die of an engraved postage stamp. Throughout the engraving process, a series of "progressive" or "contemporary" die proofs are produced to verify artistic progress and facilitate the official approval of the design. If changes occur during this stage, the resulting proofs are classified as essays, as they differ from the final issued stamp. These proofs are typically printed under immense pressure onto oversized cardstock or thin, opaque India paper to capture the finest details of the engraving; a "hybrid proof" occurs when a pull on thin paper is subsequently mounted onto die-sunk card. Once the master die is finalized, the design is transferred to the printing plate for mass production. Any impressions taken from the master die after the official stamp production has concluded are termed posthumous die proofs, which are generally created for presentation, archival, or collector purposes.
Self-adhesive (SA) stamps
A self-adhesive stamp, also known as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) stamp, is a postage issue featuring a pre-applied adhesive that requires no moistening to adhere to a surface. First introduced by Sierra Leone in 1964 and Tonga in 1963 to prevent stamps from sticking together in humid tropical climates, these issues are typically mounted on a specialized silicone-treated release liner or backing paper. In modern philately, self-adhesive stamps have largely replaced traditional water-activated gum (WAG) issues due to their convenience and the ease with which they can be die-cut into unique shapes. Collectors often retain mint self-adhesive stamps on their original backing paper to prevent the adhesive from bleeding or "oozing" into album pages, a phenomenon known as cold flow. While many international self-adhesives include a water-soluble layer for easy soaking, many modern issues, particularly those from the United States, require specialized organic solvents for removal from envelope paper.
Preserving self-adhesive stamps presents unique challenges due to the chemical stability of modern pressure-sensitive adhesives. For mint specimens, the most secure preservation method is to retain the stamp on its original backing paper, often trimming a small, neat border around the die-cut shape to avoid the risk of adhesive "bleeding" onto album pages. For used specimens, traditional water-soaking is frequently ineffective because many modern self-adhesives—particularly those from the United States, utilize oil, based glues that do not dissolve in water. Collectors often use specialized organic solvents, such as heptane (found in products like Bestine) or citrus-based cleaners, to release the stamp from envelope paper; however, these chemicals must be used with caution as they can cause ink bleeding or leave oily residues. To prevent future damage from residual stickiness, some philatelists apply a light dusting of talcum powder or cornstarch to the reverse side after the adhesive has been neutralized.
Set
A set refers to a complete collection of all individual postage stamps within a specific issue, typically encompassing a variety of denominations, designs, or colors. These issues may be released simultaneously, as seen with commemorative sets, or over an extended duration, which is characteristic of definitive series. Philatelic catalogs serve as the primary authority in defining the constituents of a set, establishing the standardized numbering and grouping used by collectors and dealers globally. In the commercial market, stamps are frequently traded as complete sets to ensure that both common high-volume values and scarcer high-denomination specimens are exchanged as a single unit.
Stamp (postage stamp)
A postage stamp is a government-authorized adhesive label affixed to a mailpiece as definitive evidence of pre-paid postal fees. These items are typically produced on specialized security paper and feature a national identifier, a specific monetary denomination, and an adhesive gum or self-adhesive backing on the reverse. Beyond covering standard transportation costs, postage stamps may also be utilized to pay for ancillary services, such as registration, insurance, or certified delivery. While primarily issued by national postal administrations, stamps remain legal tender for postal services until they are officially demonetized or canceled by a postmark.
Souvenir-Sheet (SS)
A souvenir sheet is a specially designed postal issue featuring one or more stamps (usually one or two stamps) embedded within a larger decorative margin that commemorates a specific event, anniversary, or theme. While the stamps themselves are valid for postage, the sheet is primarily produced for collectors and often contains unique artwork or text that extends beyond the borders of the stamps. The term is frequently used interchangeably with "miniature sheet", though a souvenir sheet is more explicitly celebratory and may contain stamps of a different size or format than those found in regular issues.
Strip
A strip consists of a linear sequence of three or more unseparated postage stamps, either in a horizontal or vertical orientation. These units are typically derived from a single row or column of a printed sheet or from a continuous coil roll, maintaining their original perforations or margins. In the study of classic issues, strips are highly valued for their rarity, as most were separated for individual use; consequently, they provide essential evidence for plating and the reconstruction of original sheet layouts. Unlike a block, which must be at least two stamps wide and two stamps high, a strip remains a single-dimension grouping.
Stamps Sheet (SH)
A press sheet is a comprehensive unit of postage stamps as initially produced, typically printed on oversized paper based on the dimensions of the master printing plate. These large sheets are subsequently divided into smaller, manageable units known as panes, which are the standard format distributed and sold through post offices. On a multi-pane press sheet, the individual stamps are arranged in a precise, grid-like configuration, with uniform spaces, or gutters, maintained between each specimen to accommodate accurate perforation or guillotining. Collectors frequently study the margins and gutter arrangements of these sheets to identify plate positions and various printing varieties.
Surcharge
A surcharge is a specific type of overprint that modifies or completely replaces the original face value of a postage stamp. This administrative measure is frequently employed by postal authorities to address rapid currency fluctuations, such as hyperinflation, or to utilize existing stamp stock when a specific denomination is in short supply. While all surcharges are overprints, not all overprints are surcharges; the term specifically denotes a change in the monetary value required for postal services. Surcharges may also include additional fees beyond the postage rate, such as those for semi-postal issues intended for charitable fundraising.
Tab
Tab is an abbreviation of "tablet" and refers to a usually rectangular attached label connected to a postage stamp. Tabs are typically separated from the stamp by a line of perforation, allowing them to be detached. While the stamp itself remains valid for postage without the tab, the tab alone has no postal validity.
In Switzerland and some other countries, similar information was sometimes printed in the sheet margins instead. Tabs often contain information about the design, subject, or occasion of the issue (for example in Israel and the Netherlands). In Belgium, many stamps issued between 1893 and 1913 included an attached label. These bilingual labels bore the text "Ne pas livrer le dimanche / niet bestellen op zondag" and could be used by the sender to indicate whether or not the letter should be delivered on Sundays.
Stamps with intact tabs are generally more valuable than those without.
References
More detailed philatelic glossaries
- Wikipedia
- Postal Museum (PDF)
- Linn's Stamp News
- Mystic Stamp Company
- Warwick and Warwick
- Stanley Gibbons
- the PTS (Abbreviations)
Multi-language Philatelic Dictionary
- Stampshow
- Vatican Post (PDF)