A reference guide to philatelic terms used throughout this blog. Whether you are new to stamp collecting or a seasoned philatelist, this glossary explains the most common terms in worldwide cover collecting.
A
Aerogram Aerogramme
A lightweight sheet of paper designed to be folded and used as both letter and envelope for airmail. Aerograms are pre-stamped and were widely used before email became common.
Airmail Cover
A cover transported by air rather than surface mail. Airmail covers are often identified by blue airmail labels or etiquettes, and sometimes feature special airmail stamps.
Autograph Cover
A cover bearing the signature of a notable person, such as an astronaut, pilot, or public figure. These are popular among thematic collectors.
B
Back-of-the-Book BOB
A term referring to special-use stamps listed at the back of stamp catalogues, such as airmail, postage due, and official stamps.
Balloon Cover
Mail carried by balloon, most famously during the Siege of Paris (1870–71). Genuine balloon covers are extremely rare and valuable. Modern balloon mail events are still held annually in some countries.
Block of Four
Four stamps still attached in a 2×2 configuration. Corner blocks may include plate numbers or marginal markings and are particularly sought after.
C
Cachet
A decorative design printed or stamped on the front of a cover, usually related to the theme of the mailing. Cachets are common on first day covers and event covers.
Cancel / Cancellation
A marking applied to a stamp to prevent reuse. Cancellations can be machine-applied, hand-stamped, or pen-cancelled. Special cancellations for events are highly collectible.
CDS Circular Date Stamp
A round postmark showing the name of the post office and the date of mailing. A clean CDS cancellation is often preferred by collectors over machine cancels.
Cover
In philately, a "cover" refers to an entire envelope or wrapper that has been used for mailing. Covers preserve the stamps, postmarks and postal history in their original context.
D
Definitive Stamp
A regular-issue stamp printed in large quantities for everyday postal use, as opposed to commemorative stamps. Definitives are usually printed continuously over several years.
Dispatch Cover
A cover sent to mark a specific dispatch route or service, often associated with airmail routes or ship mail.
E
Etiquette
A label affixed to a cover indicating the class or type of mail service, such as "PAR AVION" (airmail) or "REGISTERED". Etiquettes are part of the postal history of a cover.
Event Cover
A cover produced to mark a specific event such as an exhibition, anniversary, or inauguration. Event covers typically feature a special postmark and cachets.
F
FDC First Day Cover
An envelope franked with a new stamp and cancelled on the first day of issue. FDCs often carry a cachet related to the stamp's theme and are one of the most popular forms of philatelic collecting.
First Flight Cover FFC
A cover carried on the inaugural flight of a new air route. First flight covers are postmarked at both the origin and destination cities and are highly popular among aviation philatelists.
Franking
The application of postage to a cover, either by stamps, meter marks, or official markings indicating prepaid postage.
G
GPO General Post Office
The main postal authority in many countries. GPO cancellations are often found on historic covers and are important for postal history collectors.
H
Handback Cover
A cover personally handed back to a collector at a post office counter immediately after cancellation, ensuring a clean strike of the postmark.
Heli Cover
A cover carried by helicopter, often associated with polar philately or remote area deliveries. Heli covers from Antarctica are particularly sought after.
I
Imprint
Text printed in the margin of a stamp sheet identifying the printer, date, or plate number. Imprint blocks are popular with specialist collectors.
J
Joint Issue
A stamp issue released simultaneously by two or more countries to commemorate a shared theme or event. Joint issues often feature the same or complementary designs and are popular with thematic collectors. Covers bearing stamps from both countries are especially sought after.
Example: Browse all Joint Issue covers
L
Last Day Cover LDC
A cover cancelled on the last day a stamp or postal rate was valid. Last day covers document the end of a postal era and are the counterpart to first day covers.
Last Flight Cover LFC
A cover carried on the final flight of an air route before it was discontinued. These are rarer than first flight covers and document the end of aviation routes.
M
Maxicard Maximum Card
A picture postcard bearing a stamp with the same design as the card image, cancelled with a relevant postmark. All three elements – card, stamp and cancel – must match thematically.
Meter Mark
A postage impression made by a franking machine rather than a stamp. Meter marks indicate prepaid postage and are commonly found on commercial mail.
Miniature Sheet MS
A small sheet containing one or more stamps, often with decorative borders. Miniature sheets are issued for commemorative purposes and are popular with collectors.
P
Paquebot
A French term meaning "packet boat" or "steamship". A Paquebot marking is applied to mail posted on board a ship at sea and handed to a port post office for forwarding. The marking indicates the mail was not posted on land and is an important element of maritime postal history. Paquebot covers from research vessels and polar supply ships are particularly sought after.
Philatelic Cover
A cover prepared specifically for philatelic purposes rather than ordinary postal use. Philatelic covers typically feature attractive stamps and special postmarks.
Polar Philately
The collecting of stamps and covers related to Arctic and Antarctic expeditions and research stations. Polar covers often bear postmarks from remote stations like McMurdo (USA) or Neumayer (Germany).
Postmark
An official marking applied by a post office to indicate the date and place of mailing. Postmarks serve both to cancel stamps and to record postal history.
Postal History
The study and collecting of covers and documents that illustrate the development of postal services. Postal history encompasses routes, rates, markings and the social history of communication.
R
Registered Cover
A cover sent by registered mail, providing a tracking record and proof of delivery. Registered covers carry a registration label with a unique number and often have additional postmarks.
Example: Browse all Registered Covers
Return to Sender RTS
A cover that was undeliverable and returned to the original sender by the postal service. Return to Sender covers often carry additional markings, labels or handstamps explaining why delivery failed – such as "Address Unknown", "Moved" or "Refused". These covers document interesting postal history and are collected as a specialty.
Example: Browse all Return to Sender covers
Route Cover
A cover that documents a specific postal route, such as a railway mail route or ship mail route. Route covers are important for postal history research.
S
Se-tenant
Two or more stamps of different designs printed side by side on the same sheet and collected as a connected pair or strip. Se-tenant pairs must remain attached to be considered complete.
Ship Mail Cover Sea Mail
Mail transported by ship, predating air mail. Ship mail covers often carry special maritime postmarks and are important documents of early postal history.
Slogan Cancel
A machine cancellation incorporating an advertising or public information message alongside the postmark. Slogan cancels are collected thematically.
Special Postmark
A non-standard postmark created for a specific event, anniversary, or occasion. Special postmarks are applied at designated post offices and are popular with event cover collectors.
T
Thematic Collecting Topical
Collecting stamps and covers based on a specific subject or theme, such as aviation, ships, wildlife or sport, rather than by country or time period.
Transit Mark
A postmark applied at an intermediate post office as a cover passes through on its way to the destination. Transit marks provide evidence of a cover's journey.
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