DKPA : Glossary of Philatelic Terms

glossary of terms

A few stamp terms with examples is given here. The internet is full of stamp terms and glossary. I would request you to check up these sites under Links. A few stamp terms have been introduced here with appropriate figures to illustrate them. A detailed glossary will be a duplication of effort.

DEFINITIVES - these are stamps issued by the postal authorities for daily use. Definitives are printed in large quantities.

COMMEMORATIVE - stamps are stamps issued on special occasions to commemorate an event or in memory of a person. These stamps are printed in limited numbers and are usually available from the philatelic counters in the Post Office.

SE-TENANT - stamps printed intentionally like the one shown. There are actually four stamps here with different values and designs but they come as a block. These stamps should be collected as it is shown. Separating them makes them lose their value.

TETE-BECHE - A pair of stamps arranged such that one is printed upside down in relation to the other. They have to be collected in pairs to retain their value. Separated they are like any other stamp. This can be intentional or sometimes due to errors.

ERRORS - Printing stamps is a complicated process and even though they are checked carefully some of the errors that occur come into circulation. These make the stamps rare. The Colour Missing error is shown. This happens when printing with many colours two sheets pass through the rollers and the sheet below does not get the colour.

WATERMARKS - A design on the stamp paper visible when held against light. This is usually used to prevent forgery and produced during the making of the paper itself.

CHARITY STAMPS - are stamps with a surcharge on them which goes for a cause. The OVERPRINTED - refugee relief is printed later on the stamp has been used for the cause of refugee relief in India.

CACHET - a printed, embossed or hand stamped inscription or device impressed on a cover to denote special circumstances in which it has been posted. A CANCELLATION is the defacement of any kind applied to a postal stationary to prevent it being used again.

FIRST DAY COVER (FDC) - An envelope bearing the cancellation date representing the first day of issue of the stamp. It is usually mailed from the station where the stamp was first put into circulation. Special covers are usually issued officially by the Postal Authority or by private parties to mark the occasion.