In Philately generally following terms are frequently used, Here is a comprehensive list of philately terms with explanations:
A
- Adhesive: A stamp with gum on the back to affix it to mail, as opposed to stamps printed directly on postal stationery.
- Airmail Stamp: Stamps issued specifically for prepaying airmail postage.
- Albino: A stamp impression missing ink, leaving a colorless design.
- Auction Catalog: A publication listing stamps or collections for sale at auction.
B
- Bisect: A stamp cut in half (or another fraction) and used as postage, often during shortages.
- Booklet Stamp: Stamps issued in booklets, often with one or more straight edges.
C
- Cancel: A mark applied to a stamp to show it has been used and is no longer valid for postage.
- Cinderella Stamp: A label resembling a stamp but not valid for postage (e.g., charity labels).
- Coil Stamp: Stamps produced in rolls for vending machines, often with perforations on two sides only.
- Cover: An envelope or package that has been mailed and bears stamps and postal markings.
D
- Definitive Stamp: Regularly issued stamps intended for everyday use over an extended period.
- Die Proof: A print made from the original die to check the design before mass production.
E
- Error: A stamp with a significant mistake in design, color, or printing.
- Essay: A proposed design for a stamp that was not adopted for production.
F
- First Day Cover (FDC): An envelope bearing a stamp canceled on its first day of issue.
- Forgery: A counterfeit stamp created to deceive collectors or postal authorities.
G
- Gutter Pair: Two stamps separated by the unprinted margin (gutter) between panes on a sheet.
H
- Hinge: Small gummed paper used to mount stamps in an album.
I
- Imperforate Stamp: Stamps without perforations, requiring scissors or tearing to separate them.
J
- Joint Issue: Stamps issued by two or more countries with similar designs commemorating the same event.
K
- Kiloware: Bulk quantities of used stamps sold by weight, often still attached to paper.
L
- Local Stamp: Stamps valid only within a specific town, district, or region.
- Laid Paper: Paper with visible lines from the manufacturing process, often used in older stamps.
M
- Maximaphily: The collection of maximum cards (postcards with matching stamps and cancellations).
- Mint Stamp: A stamp in its original unused condition with intact gum.
O
- Overprint: Additional text or images printed on a stamp after its initial production, often altering its purpose or value.
P
- Pane: A section of a sheet of stamps, often containing multiple rows and columns.
- Perforation Gauge: A tool used to measure the number of perforations per 2 centimeters on a stamp.
- Phantom Philately: The collection of bogus or fictitious stamps.
- Plate Number Block: A block of stamps with the printing plate number in the margin.
R
- Revenue Stamp: Stamps used to pay taxes or fees rather than postage.
- Rouletting: Small cuts instead of perforations used to separate stamps.
S
- Selvage: The margin around the edge of a sheet of stamps, often containing inscriptions or plate numbers.
- Se-Tenant: Attached stamps with different designs printed together.
- Surcharge: An overprint altering the face value of a stamp.
T
- Tagging: Phosphorescent coating applied to stamps for automated sorting machines.
- Tête-Bêche Pair: Two adjoining stamps printed upside-down relative to each other.
W
- Watermark: A design embedded into paper during manufacturing, visible when held up to light.
This glossary covers both common and lesser-known philatelic terms, providing clarity for collectors at all levels.
A strong command of philately terms transforms stamp collecting from a casual pastime into a deeply enriching and rewarding pursuit. It empowers you to engage with the hobby on a more profound level, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and fully appreciate the historical, artistic, and cultural significance of these miniature works of art