Stamp Collecting Terms: What Do They Mean?
Uncover the meanings behind common words and phrases used by stamp collectors
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Stamp Hinge | A small, transparent or semi-transparent strip of gummed paper used to affix stamps to album pages |
| Stamp Mount | A protective plastic sleeve used to hold and display stamps without damaging them |
| Surcharge | An overprint that changes the denomination or purpose of a stamp |
| Tête-bêche | A pair of stamps printed upside-down in relation to each other |
| Thematic Collecting | Collecting stamps based on a particular theme or subject, such as birds or space exploration |
| Toning | Browning or yellowing of a stamp due to age or exposure to environmental factors |
| Topical Collecting | Another term for thematic collecting, often used interchangeably |
| Used | A stamp that has been postally cancelled and used in mailing |
| Variety | A difference in a stamp’s design caused by a production error, such as a colour shift or missing detail |
| Wallpaper | Stamps produced in large quantities, mainly for collectors, and not intended for mailing letters. These stamps were often issued for revenue raising and had little or no postal value. Many collectors do not consider them legitimate postage, and some catalogues may exclude them or list them without a value. |
| Water-activated Gum | Traditional gum on a stamp that must be moistened to adhere |
| Watermark | A design pressed into the paper during manufacturing, visible when held to light, used to deter forgery or indicate authenticity |
| Wrapper | A piece of postal stationery used to wrap newspapers or periodicals, often with an imprinted stamp |
