PHILATELIC TERMS
Philatelic Terms - An "A to Z" detailed compendium
Admin Note mid 2022 -
There are 651 x A4/Quarto pages here, if you were to print it out - containing 353,000 words!
By mid 2022, we had logged well over 1,250,000 page views of this thread.
Probably THE record most viewed thread on this board.
Member Allanswood at that time, kindly volunteered many hours of his time to tidy the listings up.
Over 15 years of our phpBB software updates etc, many of the accented letters and symbols from Europe etc, got changed, and corrupted - so we had 1000s of these kind of ugly and meaningless things -
Adresnì Záznamnì Lìstek: (Czech.) address registration card (coupon).
Adressaten Okänd: (Swed.) addressee unknown.
Adressbrev: (Swed.) address letters, introduced in 1873 by noting on letters or postcards "Härmed ett pakete" ("Herewith a parcel"); they were stamped with the fee for the parcel postage.
Adresse: (Fr., Ger.) address; place to which mail can be sent.
Adresse Insuffisante: (Fr.) insufficient address, return to sender.
Adressförändring eller återtagande: (Swed.) change of address or withdrawal.
etc, etc,
Several letters are split up into more than one post as the size was "choking" the server due to the vast amount of data.
If you are looking for NUMBERS look for them as they are spelled ie 3 would be under T for three.
Thanks to the permissions from owners of "Ask Phil" (a long dead but once very detailed site) and my good American friend Les Winick, we had a large amount of data already here to base it on. But - it is still far from complete. BUT it is by far THE most complete on the planet.
When I set up stampboards in 2005 it was with the clear intention of making it THE most patronised Bulletin Board on the planet, related to stamps. With near 9 million messages, from 25,000 members globally, and well over a MILLION self hosted images, and threads lie this we have clearly suceeded.
I would like to request all members have a look at their favorite topics and check the entries.
If you have more terms you wish to add - or amendments to make please feel free to post them to end of the thread.
Glen Stephens - owner and founder of www.stampboards.com.
= = = = = = = =
PHILATELIC TERMS
Philatelic Terms - An "A to Z" detailed compendium
In this thread the entries are sorted from A to Z.
A to AF
Updated Nov 2021 - Accents and Diacritics restored.
A: 1: precedes the European postal code on addresses in Austria.
2: anotacion, Colombia registration inscription, 1865-70.
3: architect, South Australia official overprint, 1868-74.
4: Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia S.A. Avianca airlines, overprint on Colombian air mail stamps of the 1950s.
5: a marginal marking used on flat plates indicating uniform vertical spacing between columns of stamps. This marking was intended to assist operators of perforating equipment.
6: air mail overprint on SCADTA air mail issues of Colombia, indicating a consular overprint sold in Germany, 1920.
7: Scott Catalogue prefixes for forerunners, such as India, used abroad.
8: watermark, with Imperial Crown, used in Australian stamps, 1913-26.
9: Amic, papermaker initial as a watermark, in the one lira issue of Modena.
10: in front of plate numbers, “A” indicates issues produced by American Bank Note Co. on rotary plates from Scott 1789 onward.
11: "A" inscription, U.S. non-denominated stamp, valued 15-cents, placed on sale May 22, 1978.
12: (Ger.) Auslandsbriefpriifstelle; Foreign Letter Censor Office, WW II, followed by letter indicating city.
13: auction abbreviation for autograph.
14. Anvers (Belg.) Antwerp.
15. architect, South Australia official overprint, 1868-74.
16: Armée (Fr.) army.
17: Auslandsstelle, Auslandsbriefprüfstelle (Ger.) Foreign Letter Censor Office, WW II, followed by letter indicating city.
18: Australian stamps watermark, with Imperial Crown, 1913-26.
19: Ante Meridiem, morning, coded time handstamps of 1890s.
20: Gibraltar, Imperial Censorship Code, WW II.
21: time of departure for Zeppelin flights.
a: (Fr.) of, to, by, at
Å: one-letter post office name, Norway.
A$ or more common $A: Australian dollars.
A. 23: underlined watermark of Orange River Colony 2/6d King Edward V11 Revenue stamp.
A25: British Colonial Office cancel for Malta.
A thru X: Scott Catalogue suffix for Revenue Stamped Paper.
AA: 1: USPS abbreviation for Armed Forces Americas, except Canada, see: AE. 2: (Fr.) Armée Autrichienne” (Austrian Army) 1748 British Army handstamp, for Austrian Army, usually on mail from Germany; carried by Thurn and Taxis to Belgium; see: Thurn and Taxis.
A.A.A.: Australian Air Mail Association.
AAB: Aloysius A. Baldus, BEP employee initials, 1906-1928; see Plate Finisher, Siderographer.
Aachen: 1: formerly Aix-la-Chapelle,, also transit marking; see: Aix-la-Chapelle. 2: Aachener Stadbriefbeförderung Merkur, German local, 1894-97.
AACMO: Army Sir Corps Mail Operation, 1934-35.
AADC: automated area distribution center, USPS term.
AAFPO: Australian Air Force Post Offices
AAI: Allied Armies, Italy.
A.A.L.: Adria Aero Lloyd, Italy
Aalborg Bypost: (Dan.) Denmark local post, 1884-89.
Aalborg Privatbaner: local, Denmark railway parcel.
Aalesund Bypost: (Nor.) Norway local post, 1880-84.
AAMC: 1: American Air Mail Catalog, USA. 2: Australian Air Mail Catalogue, Nelson Eustis/Frommer.
AAMS: see: American Air Mail Society.
A&ESC: Aberdeen and Elgin Sorting Carriage, British.
A and T, A&T: Annam and Tonkin overprint, French Protectorate in Indo-China; Jan. 21, 1888-1892: stamps of French Colonies surcharged A & T, see: Annam and Tonkin.
Aanesneden: (Neth.) cut into.
Aangebragt: (Dutch) Netherlands Dutch East Indies labels; 1845-46: postage due inscription.
Aangetekend: (Neth.) registered.
Aantal: (Dutch) number.
AAPE: American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors, USA.
Aarau: Switzerland local airmail, 1913.
Aarhus Bypost: (Dan.) Denmark local post, 1884-1900.AAT: Australia Antarctic Territory.
A.A.Vantine: US cancel or revenue stamp overprint for face powder product, 1914.
Aayman Islands: bogus labels for Dayman, Layman, Nayman, Sayman, Yayman, etc.; British colonial royal wedding frames from book, Surreal Stamps and Unreal Stickers.
A.B.: 1: Archibald Brown manuscript surcharge, 1891-95 on British East Africa Protectorate issues. 2; (Fr.) "assez beau"; fair to good condition, or appearance. 3: (Fr.) "abonnement"; subscription (to catalogs). 4: (Fr.) "Armeé Britannique" 1748 British Army handstamp, for Austrian army, usually on mail from Germany; carried by Thurn and Taxis to Belgium; see: Thurn and Taxis. 4: Russia surcharge, Cyrillic for Vladivostok Issue, Far Eastern Republic, 1923.
AB: Andrew Black, BEP employee initials, 1906-1928; see Plate Finisher, Siderographer.
Ab: standard Berlin censorship office mark, WW II.
A.B.A.: A.B. Aerotransport, Swedish airline.
Abaco and Cays: group of the Bahamas Islands.
Aba-el-Wakf: Egypt, see: Interpostal seals, 1879-84.
Abajo: (Sp.) bottom.
A.B. & S. (A. Beecher & Son): U.S. match stamp inscription; see Private Die Proprietary Stamps.
Abart: (Ger.) variety.
Abattoirs: (Fr.) slaughter houses; French Colonies revenue inscription.
ABB: marking on British postage-paid envelope; "A" indicates mail originates in Britain and was shipped to the U.S. as freight; first "B" indicates entry into the U.S. postal system, second "B" indicates delivery in the U.S.
Abbey Post: United Kingdom strike local post, 1971.
Abbildung: (Ger.) illustration.
Abbonamento: (It.) subscription.
Abbott's Express: U.S. private local post serviced Boston, Lawrence and North Andover, Mass., label; 1850.
Abbozzo: (It.) specimen.
Abbreviato: (It.) abbreviated.
ABC Warehouse: United Kingdom strike local post, 1971.
ABCF: Associação Brasileira dos Comerciante Filatélicos; Brazilian Stamp Dealers Association.
ABDA: American, British and Dutch Administration, censor handstamp, WW II.
Abd al Kuri: bogus; island in Indian Ocean between Socotra and Horn of Africa.
Abdruck: (Ger.) print or impression.
Abeilles: (Fr.) bees, bee-like spots of French stamps issued 1863-71.
Abercorn: now Mbala, Zambia; see: Zambia.
Aberdeen: Aberdeen Circular Delivery Company, local, 1867.
Aberdeen 5 Mi (Miss.): see: Confederate Postmasters’ Provisionals.
A. Bergqvist Lokala Expressposten: see Hälsingborg - A. Bergqvist Lokala Expressposten.
Abessinien: (Ger.) Abyssinia, Ethiopia.
A Betale-Portomerke: (Nor.) Norway postage due inscription, 1922-23.
Abganagsstempel: (Ger.) postmark of office or origin.
Abgeblasst: (Ger.) faded, discolored, rubbed-off color.
Abgefärbt: (Ger.) stained.
Abgenutzt: (Ger.) worn.
Abgerissen: (Ger.) torn off.
Abgeschliffen: (Ger.) ground off, such as German South West Africa altered cancelers.
Abgestempelt, Abgest.: (Ger.) cancelled.
Abgetrennt: (Ger.) separated.
Abhängige: (Ger.) dependency (in the geopolitical sense).
Abidjan: French West Africa; 1959: March 21: stamp issue when colony became independent.
Abidjan Games: common theme on stamps of the French Community of Nations, 1962.
Abierta por la censura militar: (Sp.) opened by the military censor.
Abime: (Fr.) damaged.
Abingdon, Va. Paid 2 cents: see: Confederate Postmasters’ Provisionals.
ABK: Andrew B. Kennedy, BEP employee initials, 1906-1928; see Plate Finisher, Siderographer.
Abkari: India States term for excise duties on liquors and drugs.
Abkhazia: part of the Republic of Georgia, formerly Russia; 1993-post: bogus, "stamps and souvenir sheets" printed by private individuals.
Abklatsch: (Ger.) offset, mirror image.
Abkommen: (Ger.) agreement, convention.
Abkürzn:(Ger.) abbreviated.
Abkürzungen:(Ger.) abbreviations.
Ablieferungbescheinigung: (Ger.) receipt for delivery.
Ablösen im wasser: (Ger.) soak off in water.
Ablösung: (Ger.) franking privilege for Prussian local officials.
ABNC, ABNCo.: American Bank Note Company.
Abnormal: nickname for stamps produced by De La Rue for Great Britain; 1862-80: one sheet for the archives, selected from sheets printed from a new plate, balance of sheets put into circulation.
Abnormal perforations: may be caused by a bent pin in the perforating machine.
Abnützung: (Ger.) wear.
Abo: now Turku, Finland.
Abominable Snowmania: bogus, Punch magazine cover parody.
Abonné: (Fr.) subscriber.
Abonnement: (Fr., Ger.) subscription
Abonnements-Poste: (Fr.) subscriptions for newspaper do not require postage stamps; Universal Postal Union regulation.
Abono(s): (Sp.) marking on early covers indicating that postage was prepaid to destination.
Abo Lans Kustångbåts: (Fin.) local post via steamship, Finland late 1890s.
Abou-Choukouk: Egypt, 1879-82, see: Interpostal seals.
Abou-el-Scekuk: Egypt, 1874-76, see: Interpostal seals.
Abou-Hamade: Egypt, 1879-84, see: Interpostal seals.
Abou-Homos: Egypt, 1865-84, see: Interpostal seals.
Abou-Kerkas: Egypt, 1879-84, see: Interpostal seals.
Abou-Kibir: Egypt, 1879-84, see: Interpostal seals.
Aboukir: Egypt, 1880, see: Interpostal seals.
Aboutigh: Egypt, 1879-82, see: Interpostal seals.
Above privilege number: handstamp applied to a letter disallowed under the franking system.
ABPO: Australian Base Post Office. 2: Advanced Base Post Office
Abrechnung: (Ger.) settling of account.
Abrége: (Fr.) abbreviated.
Abreviaçãos: (Port.) abbreviations.
Abreviado: (Port., Sp.) abbreviated.
Abreviaturas: (Sp.) abbreviations.
Abreviere: (Rom.) abbreviation.
Abroad: U.S. postal agencies in another country.
Abrücken: (Ger.) departure.
Abruka: bogus issue, not valid for postage.
Absatz: (Ger.) sale, paragraph.
Abschiedsserie: (Ger.) farewell series of a stamp issue, sentimental tribute; 1920: for example: Bavaria stamps overprinted "Deutsches Reich."
Absender, Abs.: (Ger.) sender.
Absenderfreistempel: (Ger.) meters used by private firms.
Absendermarke: (Ger.) return address label.
Absendervermerk: (Ger.) return address.
Absentee ballot materials: postcard applications, ballots, voting instructions, and envelopes sent through the mail without postage prepayment; permits U.S. citizens, and their spouses and dependents to apply for registration and to vote when absent from the place of voting residence.
Absentee bidder: bidder participating in a public auction, but personally not present at the auction; see: auction agent, book bid.
ABSN: Al Burn Stamp News, USA
Abstand, Abst.: (Ger.) spacing.
Abstempeln: (Ger.) to cancel.
Abstempelung: (Ger.) cancellation, a mark placed on a stamp by a postal authority to deface the stamp and prevent its misuse.
Abstimmung: (Ger.) plebiscite.
Abstimmung in Salzburg / 29 Mai 1921: (Ger.) bogus overprint on stamps of Austria.
ABSV: Arbeiter-Briefmarken-Sammler-Verein.
Abteilung: (Ger.) battalion, detachment, unit.
Abtönen: (Ger.) color shading.
Abu Dhabi: sheikdom in the Persian Gulf; part of United Arab Emirates; currency: 100 naye paise = 1 rupee (1964), 100 fils = 1 dinar (1966) 1833: Dubai sheik renounced allegiance to Abu Dhabi, 1862-1971: under British protection, 1892: became British protectorate, 1948, Apr.1-April 26, 1966: Muscat; stamps of British Postal Administration surcharged in Indian currency, 1948, Apr.1-Jan. 6, 1961: Dubai; stamps of British Postal Administration surcharged in Indian currency, 1950-1957: Qatar; stamps of British Postal Administration surcharged in Indian currency, 1951: 1951, 1953: BPA stamps used in Kuwait and Bahrain during stamp shortages, 1956-1963: Das Island oil workers mail sent through British Postal Superintendent at Bahrain, 1960, Dec.-Mar. 29, 1964: stamps of British Postal Administration in Eastern Arabia used, 1963, Mar. 30: used stamps of British Postal Administration, opened office in Eastern Arabia, 1964, Mar. 30: No. 1, 5 naye paise bright yellow-green, 1966, Jan. 6: Das Island post office remained in Bahrain, 1967, Jan. 1: post office taken over by Abu Dhabi, 1971, Dec. 2: joined the United Arab Emirates, 1972, Aug.: Abu Dhabi stamps overprinted United Arab Emirates, 1973, Jan. 1: UAE joint issues with Ajman, Dubai, Fujeira, Sharjah, Umm al Qiwain.
Abu Dhabi: stamps overprinted United Arab Emirates, 1972.
A buon mercato: (It.) a good buy, cheapest.
Abusive Issue: if a stamp is not issued in a transparent or open manner and is not sold by the issuing postal administration.
Abutshi: city in Southern Nigeria; 1895-Oct.1899: Royal Niger Company handstamp used on stamps of Great Britain.
Abwehr: (Ger.) defense, military security.
Abweichung: (Ger.) variety, error.
Abwertung: (Ger.) devaluation.
Abwicklung: (Ger.) settlement or liquidation.
Abwicklungsgebühr: (Ger.) official fee.
Abyssinia: Ethiopia, former name; see: Ethiopia.
Abyssinien: (Ger.) Abyssinia.
Abzug: (Ger.) copy, proof.
AC: actual count, USPS term.
Acacia gum: gum from the acacia plant, shrub or tree, named after the places or countries (arabic, senegal and syriac) in which the gum is collected.
Acambaro: bogus; Mexican District revolutionary provisional; 1914: simulating 1867 issue.
Acanalado: (Sp.) ribbed.
Acaponeta: (Sp.) Mexican District; 1914: revolutionary provisional issue.
Acapulco: overprint used on stamps of Mexico for this district during 1856-1883.
Accent: mark placed over a letter that modifies its pronunciation, appears on stamps.
Accept par la censure: (Fr.) passed by censor.
Accepted design: final stage in the stamp design being made ready
Accepté projet: (Fr.) adopted design.
Accessories: products used by the stamp collector in the aid of stamp identification and handling; also known as tools.
Accessory Transit Co. of Nicaragua: local handstamp; 1836-1860: mail of private firm.
Accidenté: (Fr.) salvaged, damaged.
Accountable mail: mail that requires the signature of the addressee upon receipt to provide proof of delivery.
Accountable materials: includes U.S. postal items such as aerogrammes, International Reply Coupons, postage stamps, philatelic products, postal cards, stamped envelopes and postal cards, blank postal money order forms, migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamps, or any unsold item, USPS term.
Account letter: letter forming part of a letter and number combination; 1887-1947: printed on British stamps.
A.C.C.P.: Azerbaijan, Cyrillic for Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic.
ACCR: bogus, Antarctic Confederation of City Republics.
Accumulation: large collection of stamps that has not been arranged in any particular order.
Accumulator: one who collects stamps in show boxes, etc., not in any order or category.
Accurate: exact or correct; Sorgfaltig (Ger.), Soigne (Fr.), Acurata (It.), Esmerado (Sp.)
Acechador: (Sp.) scout topic, theme.
Aceituna: (Sp.) olive (color).
Acélmetszet: (Hung.) steel plate engraving.
A censurar en destino: (It.) to be censored at destination.
ACEP: (Fr.) Association du Collectionneurs des Entiers Postaux; (Postal Stationery Collectors Association).
A Certo: (Sp.) Ancachs, 1884 Peru manuscript overprint, provisional issue; term is former canceling device used for another purpose.
ACFT: bogus, Antarctic Confederation of Federal Territories.
Achalpur: formerly Ellichhput, India.
Achat: (Ger.) buy.
Acheminé: (Fr.) forwarded (letter).
Acheson's graphite: graphite lines, manufactured by Acheson Colloids, Ltd., Great Britain, used to activate an automatic letter facing machine, 1950s.
Achéte: (Fr.) bought.
Acheter: (Fr.) to buy.
Acheteur: (Fr.) buyer.
A cheval: (Fr.) offset, straddling.
Achin: Sumatra local overprint, Japanese occupation, 1942-45.
Achmant: Egypt, 1879-84, see: Interpostal seals.
Achrovure Division of Union Camp, Inc.: private printer of the 1968 U.S. Walt Disney stamp.
Achteckstempel: (Ger.) octagonal cancel.
Achterbock: (Ger.) block of eight.
Achterdijk: bogus, Donald Evans issue, Holland.
Achterkant: (Dut.) back.
Acid: chemical compound having a pH below 7.0. Paper with a pH below 7.0 is considered acidic and can, in time, affect stamps and covers attached to the acidic page.
Acid free paper: paper manufactured under neutral conditions with a pH greater than 7.0 containing no acidic additives.
Acinzentado: (Port.) greyish (color); see Cinza.
Acinzentado-amarello: (Port.) greyish-black (color).
Acinzentado-ardósua: (Port.) greyish-slate (color).
Acinzentado-azul: (Port.) greyish-blue (color).
Acinzentado-lilás: (Port.) greyish-lilac (color).
Acinzentado-oliva: (Port.) greyish-olive green (color).
Acinzentado-pardo: (Port.) greyish-brown (color).
Acinzentado-preto: (Port.) greyish-black (color).
Acinzentado-púpura: (Port.) greyish-purple (color).
Acinzentado-verde: (Port.) greyish-green (color).
Acinzentado-violeta: (Port.) greyish-violet (color).
Acker Company: private advertisements mailed to customers; labels, 1882-1912.
Acknowledgement of Receipt (A.R.): notification by the post office that the mail piece has been delivered to the
addressee; Ruckschein (Ger.), Accuser Reception (Fr.), Aviso di Ricevuta (It.), Aviso de Recibo (Sp.).
Acknowledgement of Receipt stamp: required to pay the additional fee for return-receipt service; paid with regular stamps in the United States; Ruckscheinmarke (Ger.), Timbre d’accuser de Reception (Fr.), Avviso di
Ricevuta (It.), Sello de Aviso de Recibo (Sp.).
Acme City Parcel Delivery: private local post servicing Providence, R.I.; label, year unknown.
ACN: Arthur C. Noble, BEP employee initials, 1906-1928; see Plate Finisher, Siderographer.
ACOFIL: Associaçâo de Comerciantes Filatelicos de Portugal; Portuguese Stamp Dealers Association.
A Combination Press: BEP webfed, BEP eight color press, 1973-93, created floating plate numbers.
A condition: (Fr.) on approval.
Acorazado: (Sp.) battleship marking on 1936-37 Spanish civil war covers.
Acostado: (Sp.) horizontal.
ACP: Advanced Coated Paper; a new phosphor coated paper with a brighter glow than the earlier paper, 1983.
ACPS: see: American Ceremony Program Society.
Acre: now Akko, Israel.
Acre, Territory of: bogus, Brazil rebellious state that was purchased from Bolivia in 1902, Donald Evans issue.
Across-the-lines mails: U.S. Civil War term for mail carried by private express firms between the North and South.
ACRSN: A.C. Roessler's Stamp News.
ACSC: Australia Commonwealth Specialist Catalogue.
ACT: air contract transportation tag, USPS term.
AC Tagging: Added to color; phosphored ink.
Actes de Naissance: (Fr.) birth certificates; French Colony revenue inscription.
Action Staff Agency: United Kingdom strike local post, 1971.
Acuartelamiento: (Sp.) barracks, Spanish civil war Foreign Legion cover marking.
AD: 1: auction abbreviation for topical advertising. 2: Andorra, country code as used by UPU.
A. D.: 1: Anno Domini, proceeds year date. 2: Andrew Dick, manuscript surcharge; 1891-95: British East Africa Protectorate issues. 3: abbreviation for Andrew Doherty, on Playing Card stamps..
Adadi: India States term for land settlement.
Adaluncatiff: bogus, no information available as to where distributed.
Adams & Co. Express: U.S. local post; Calif.; 1849, Sept.-54: operating in California and the Pacific Coast.
Adams & Co's Express: private local post servicing east coast, stamps, corner cards; 1841-55.
Adams & Co.'s Poker Chip Stamps: stamps printed in thin pink cardboard and sued as poker chips or currency, 1854.
Adams & Mason's Express: private local post serviced Boston, Medfield and Medway, Mass., labels; 1850.
Adams City Express Post: U.S. local post, New York, N.Y., 1850-51.
Adams Express Company: private local post; nationwide; stamps, corner cards, labels, year unknown.
Adams Express Company Knoxville, Tenn: carried mail "across the lines" during the American Civil War.
Adams Expres - Kjøbenhavn: see Copenhagen - Adam's Expres Local Post.
Adam's Expres Local Post (Denmark): see Copenhagen - Adam's Expres Local Post.
Adana: formerly Seyham, Turkey.
ADAPS: Assistant Director Army Postal Service.
Ad arco: (It.) "arch" or "leaf" issue, 1930-31 King George V, Canada; name given to differentiate set from previous series.
Adaref: Egypt, 1879-80, see: Interpostal seals.
Ad collar: printed advertising surrounding the stamp area.
Add., Addr.: auction term, indicates cover is addressed.
Ad Dawhah: formerly Doha, Qatar.
Added Art: addition of original art to the margins of a stamp, aka remarque.
Addendum: appendix or supplement to a book; some stamp catalogs have an addendum listing stamps after the catalog had been prepared but prior to printing.
Addicional: (Sp.) overprint on federal tax stamps of Mexico; to indicate an additional fee to be added to any other taxable transaction.
Additional: increased in any manner.
Additional halfpenny: hand-struck marking; 1813-1839: mail from England to or from Scotland indicating that an extra 1/2d postage was chargeable as a levy paid to the Scottish Turnpike Trusts.
Additional Medicine Duty Not Available for Postage: overprint on British postage stamps for revenue use in 1915, when rate of duty was increased and revenue stamps were not available.
Additional Printing: another printing of an already issued stamp that may be different or exactly the same ar the original issue.
Afterprint: term for samples of every stamp issued in Finland as requested by the Russian postal authorities in 1891.
Additionnel: (Fr.) increased in any manner.
Additive stamp: non-denominated issue U.S. stamp, used for additional postage during rate changes.
Addizionale: (It.) increased in any manner.
Add-on cachet: design added to a cover which did not originally have a cachet.
Addr.: addressed.
Address: place to which mail can be sent; Addressieren (Ger.), Adresse (Fr.), Dirigere (It.), Direccion (Sp.).
Address. & Office Supply: United Kingdom strike local post, 1971.
Addressee: one to whom anything is addressed; Empfanger (Ger.), Destinaire (Fr.), Destinatario (It., Sp.).
Addressieren: (Ger.) to write an address.
A découvert (Fr.): Universal Postal Union term for transit mail (mail that crosses borders while en route from one country to another) that is in sealed containers.
Adelaide: city in South Australia; 1836: handstamps introduced; Thomas Gilbert named first postmaster of colony, 1839: service expanded to Port Adelaide.
Adelgazado: (Sp.) thinned.
Adélie (Coast) Land: French possession in Antarctica; includes Iles Amsterdam, Crozet, Kerguelan and Saint Paul; 1840: Jules S.C. Dumont d'Urville discovered territory, 1948: "Terre Adélie-Dumont Durville 1840" overprint on airmail stamp of Malagasy Republic, 1955: French claim section of Antarctic Adélie Land, but US does not recognize claim; stamps issued as French Southern and Antarctic Territories, 1998: administered from Paris, see French Southern and Antarctic Territories.
Adelie Land; 1840: Jules S.C. Dumont d'Urville discovered territory, 1948: "Terre Adélie-Dumont Durville 1840" overprint on stamp of Malagasy Republic.
Aden: now Yemen, South Arabia; currency:12 pies = 1 anna (1937); 16 annas = 1 rupee; 100 cents = 1 shilling (1951) 1839, June 5,-1937: used stamps of India, when annexed as a British colony and protectorate to British India; original post offices at Crater called Aden Cantonment (Camp), 1854: stamps of India on sale in Aden when office was place under the Bombay administration, 1858: main post office moved to Steamer Point, 1935: formerly made a Crown Colony, 1937, April 1: No. 1, ½ anna light green; Aden (British) Protectorate, 1963, Jan.: became part of Federation of South Arabia, 1965, April 1: first Federation of South Arabia stamps issued; see Yemen, Kingdom of.
Aden: Kalashnikov AK47; unissued Great Britain cinderella by David Horry, 2001.
Aden States: two sultanates of the Aden protectorate issued their own stamps in 1942 see: Kathiri State of Seiyun (Kathiri), Qu'Aiti State of Shihr and Mukalia (Qu'Aiti). Adhésif: (Fr.) adhesive.
ADH: Andrew D. Headley, employee initials, 1906-1928; see Plate Finisher, Siderographer.
Adhesion Victimas San Juan y Pueblo Argentino: inscription on stamps of Paraguay semipostal for victims of an
Argentine earthquake.
Adhesive: 1: paper postage stamp with gum on the back intended to be glued on letters, packages, etc. 2: the gum used to affix a postage stamp.
Adhesive collar: advertising collar that is affixed to an envelope over which the stamp is placed.
Adhesivo: (Sp.) adhesive (stamp).
Adicional: (Sp.) increased in any manner.
Adigey: bogus Russian Federation Republic; local post overprint and stamps, not valid for postage.
Adirondack Express Co.: private local parcel delivery; serviced New York, Vermont and Canada; labels, year unknown.
Adjaria: bogus Russian issue, 1996?.
Adjudani: bogus, Donald Evans issue; Persia.
Adjudication: (Fr.) sale (to a bidder).
Adlercreutz: (Fin.) local post, ship cancel Finland, 1880s.
Administrador de Correos: (Sp.) postmaster.
Administradorra de Correos: (Sp.) postmistress.
Administration of Western Thrace: in Greek, 1920 overprint on stamps of Greece, as a stopgap measure until the unoverprinted Greek postage is authorized.
Administracion de Cambio: (Sp.) Foreign Section Administrative department, exchange rate.
Administracion de Correos: (Sp.) administrative department, post office.
Administration des Postes: (Fr.) postal authorities.
Administration Reform: common design on stamps of Portugal and Colonies, 1969.
Administrative Cancel: applied by the postal administration to change value of postal item.
Admiralty Islands: see: New Guinea, Mandated Territory.
Admirals: 1: 1912-25 series of Canadian stamps showing King George V in the full dress uniform of an admiral of the Royal Navy. 2: 1926 New Zealand issue. 3: 1913-19, Rhodesia. 4: 1924-30, Southern Rhodesia.
Admiralty Official: Admiralty Dept., Great Britain 1903 overprint for official use.
Admon: (Sp.) administration.
Admon. Pral. De Correos en Campeche: (Sp.) “Principal Administration of Posts in Campeche” inscription on provisional stamps of Campeche, Mexico, 1876.
Admon. Pral. De Correos del Depto. De Apurímac Abancay: (Sp.) overprint on Arequipa provisional stamp in
Abancay, Peru, a town on the Apurímac River area west of Cuzco: “Principal Administration of Posts of the Department of Apurímac-Abancay.” 1885.
Ados: one half of Barbados bisected stamp; see Barb.
A. D. P. O.: (Fr.) "Administration Dette Publique Ottomane," inscription; Administration of the Ottoman Public Debt, 1917, French military occupation, revenue stamps.
A. D. P. O./Z. O.: (Fr.) Zone Ouest (Western Zone for Lebanon), inscription; see: A.D.P.O.
Adresní Záznamní Lístek: (Czech.) address registration card (coupon).
Adressaten Okänd: (Swed.) addressee unknown.
Adressbrev: (Swed.) address letters, introduced in 1873 by noting on letters or postcards "Härmed ett pakete" ("Herewith a parcel"); they were stamped with the fee for the parcel postage.
Adresse: (Fr., Ger.) address; place to which mail can be sent.
Adresse Insuffisante: (Fr.) insufficient address, return to sender.
Adressförändring eller återtagande: (Swed.) change of address or withdrawal.
Adresskort: (Swed.) address cards.
Adria-Alpenvorland: bogus, never issued 1945 German occupation locals printed in Vienna.
Adrianople: now Edirne, Turkey.
ADS/Postalia Corp./Tele-Norm Corp./Francotyp-Postalia: U.S. postage meter firm, started about 1960, now a division of ADS-Anker Data Systems of Germany.
Adsons: term used for New Zealand stamps with commercial advertising on the back, 1893.
Adstamps: US stamps affixed to an advertising collar to affix to an envelope, 1980s.
Adsubia: local, Spanish civil war, Republican, 1937.
A due colori: (It.) bicolored.
Aduna: (Sp.) revenue stamp for custom duties on imported goods; first issued in 1885s.
Advance deposit account: debit account into which a mailer deposits funds that are maintained by the postal administration and from which postage is later deducted at the time of mailing; also called trust account in some nations.
Advent Bay: rubber stamp cancel for Spitsbergen.
Advertised covers: an undelivered cover advertised by post office to locate recipient.
Advertised letter: letters marked with a special marking "Advertised" or "ADV" by U.S. postmasters during the 19th century connoting an ad was placed in the newspaper that the letter was not collected after a certain period of time; 1¢ could be charged by the paper, which was passed on to the customer; some postmasters charged more than the 1¢ fee they paid.
Advertisement: first ad from a collector looking to buy and exchange stamps published in London's Family Herald, 1851.
Advertisement pane: booklet or sheet of stamps with one or more stamp spaces used for an advertisement.
Advertisements on postmarks: first used by Great Britain during WW1; 1963: Great Britain offered pictorial or slogan cancels for a fee.
Advertisements on stamps: Great Britain ads; 1881: first ad for "Pear's Soap" imprinted on the back over the gum, several nations currently issue stamps depicting a commercial product.
Advertising collar: ads, printed on the envelope, shaped like a horseshoe to fit around the stamp.
Advertising cover: cover front that has advertising of a commercial product, hotel, etc.
Advertising label: label used to make up a full booklet pane advertising a commodity or service.
Advertising mail: USPS term, called Standard Mail as of Jan. 7, 2001.
Advertising postmarks: started during World War I as a propaganda tool.
Advice of delivery: international postal term allowing the sender, on payment of a fee, to be notified of the delivery of the item.
Adviesprijs: (Dutch) suggested bid.
ADW: Alven D. Whittington, employee initials, 1906-1928; see Plate Finisher, Siderographer.
Adygeia: bogus Russian Federation Republic; local overprint and stamps.
Adygea, Republic of: illegal labels, purporting to be stamps, as per Jan. 14, 2002, Russian Federation report to the UPU; not valid for postage.
Adzaneta de Albaida: local, Spanish civil war, Republican, 1937
AE: 1: United Arab Emirates, country code as used by UPU. 2: USPS abbreviation for Armed Forces Africa, Canada, Europe, Middle East. 3: affairs étrangPres (Fr.) foreign affairs, French Colony revenue inscription. 4: aerophilately, a philatelic discipline recognized for FIP exhibitions.
A. E.: (Fr.) "affairs étrangcres" foreign affairs, French Colony Revenue inscription. 1912-1944: Italian issues overprinted "Egeo," "Isole Italiane Dell'Egeo" from various islands: Calchi, Calino, Caso, Coo, Fero, Nisiro, Patmo, Piscopi, Rhodes (Rodi), Scarpanto, Simi, and Stampalia, 1916: stamps of Italy without overprints used, 1920: Greece recognized Italian control of the islands, 1923: formerly ceded to Italy, 1944-45: German occupation issues, 1945-47: British Middle East Forces occupation overprint MEF (Middle East Forces), 1947: stamps of Greece overprinted SDD (Dodecanese Military Occupation), 1947: stamps of Greece.Egte: (Dan.) authentic.
A. E. A.: Atomic Energy Agency.
Æægiske øer: (Dan.) Aegean Islands.
Æblegrøn: (Dan.) apple-green (color).
Ægte: (Dan.) genuine.
Ægypten: (Dan.) Egypt, Egyptian (adj.).
Ægyptensk: (Dan.) Egypt, Egyptian (adj.).
Ælder: (Dan.) older.
A. E. D.: "affranchie a l'etranger jusqu'a destination"; 1827: usage for mail from Sardinia to France where postage had been prepaid.
AEF: Albert E. Fischer, BEP employee initials, 1906-1928; see Plate Finisher, Siderographer.
A. E. F.: 1: French Equatorial Africa (Afrique Equatoriale Francaise). 2: American Expeditionary Forces established in World War I; AEF Mail, AEF post offices and AEF booklets.
A.E.F. booklets: books of 1¢ and 2¢ denomination made for the A.E.F. in France in panes of thirty stamps, 1918.
A.E.F. post offices: handled A.E.F. mail, July 1, 1918.
Aegaische Inseln: (Ger.) Aegean Islands.
Aegean Islands: odecanese island group in the Aegean, off the coast of Turkey; currency: 100 centesimi = 1 lira (plural lire) (1861), 100 cents = 1 euro (2002) 16th century-post: under Turkish rule, 1912-1932: Italian issues overprinted "Egeo", "Isole Italiane Dell'Egeo" from various islands; includes: Calchi, Calino, Caso, Coo, Lero, Lisso, Nisiro, Patmo, Piscopi, Rhodes (Rodi), Scarpanto, Simi, and Stampalia, 1912: stamps of Greece used in parts of Turkey occupied by Greece (New Greece), Macedonia, Epirus, some of the Aegean islands, 1912, Oct. 8: Icaria (Nicaria) stamps issued after independence from Turkey, overprinted "Greek Administration" stamps issued June 1913, 1912-13: Limnos (Lemnos) overprint on stamps of Greece during occupation, 1912: Nov: Mytilene (Lesbos) overprint on stamps of Greece and Turkey during occupation, 1912, Nov. 14: Samos Provisional Government issued own stamps, 1913, May 13: Samos, Provisional Government, stamps overprinted "Greece" in Greek letters, 1913, May: Khios (Chios) overprint on stamps of Greece during occupation, 1916: stamps of Italy without overprints used, 1920, June 19-Aug. 21, 1920: stamps overprinted by French administration, 1920: Greece recognized Italian control of the islands, 1922, July 11: Castelrosso, stamps of Italy overprinted for use; 1924: formerly ceded to Italy, 1930: first air mail stamp, 1934: first postage due stamp issued, 1944-45: German occupation issues, 1945-47: British Middle East Forces occupation overprint "MEF" (Middle East Forces), 1947, Sept.: stamps of Greece overprinted "SDD" (Dodecanese Military Occupation).
Aegna: bogus issue, not valid for postage.
Ægypten: (Dan.) Egypt
Ægyptensk: (Dan.) Egyptian
A. E. J. F.: (Fr.) "affranchie a l'étranger jusqu'a la frontiere"; prepaid to the border only, used in France during the 1830s.
Aeores: (Fr.) Azores overprint and inscription on stamps of Portugal.
A.E.P.: Académie Européenne de Philatélie; European Academy of Philately; founded in France in 1977, to develop the friendship of European prestigious philatelists and to publicize their work.
Aerea: (It.) airmail overprint.
Aereo: (Sp.) airmail overprint or inscription.
Aereo exterior: (Sp.) Guatemala overprint for airmail.
Aereo interior: (Sp.) Honduras overprint for official interior airmail.
Aereo Sedta: (Sp.) "Sociedad Ecuatoriano de Transportes Aereos" Ecuador airmail overprint, 1938-40.
Aero oy: Finland inscription for 20th anniversary of Finnair, 1944.
Aerial Post: early British term for air mail.
Aereotarg Poznan: (Pol.) Poland semi-official airmail stamps for Poznan, 1921.
Aérien (ne): (Fr.) air (mail).
Aero Club of Canada/Grand Army of Canada: semi-official airmail, Canada, 1918-20.
Aero correo: (Sp.) Honduras airmail overprint.
Aerofilatelia: (Sp.) aerophilately.
Aéroglisseur courrier part: (Fr.) hovercraft mail.
Aerogram: see: Aérogramme.
Aerograma: (Sp.) airmail postal stationery, air letter sheet.
Aerogramm: (Ger.) airmail postal stationery, air letter sheet.
Aérogramme: (Fr.) official U.P.U. name for air letter sheet; lightweight paper with gummed flaps, usually with an imprinted stamp indicium, transported by air to other countries, no enclosures are permitted.Aerogramme, inland: used for domestic service with no guarantee of air service.
Aerogramme, military: mostly used by British Forces during World War II.
Aerogramme, official: used by government officials and departments.
Aerogramme, regular issue: with imprinted postage or airmail stamps.
Aerogramme, reverse die cutting: printed sheet of an aerogram placed in an inverted position when sheets are being cut.
Aerogramme, semi-official: inscriptions added with implied or tacit approval of the government.
Aerogramme, tablet: inscription on the front panel, usually reading "Via Airmail" etc.
Aerogramme, unwatermarked sheets: majority of aerograms are printed on unwatermarked sheets, while others do not show the watermark due to mark's wide spacing.
Aerogrammo: (It.) airmail postal stationery, air letter sheet.
Aerogramy: (Czech.) airmail postal stationery, air letter sheet.
Aéronaute: (Fr.) balloon post crew members during the Siege of Paris, 1870-71.
Aérophilatélie: (Fr.,Ger.) aerophilately.
Aerophilately: branch of collecting that deals with airmail stamps and covers and their usage.
Aeroplane mail, first: the first flight took place from the United Provinces Exhibition Grounds at Allahabad, India to Naini Junction, five lies away on Feb. 18, 1911.
Aeroplane mail, first U.S.: mail was flown from Garden City, N. Y. to Mineola during the International Aviation Tournament, Sept. 23-30, 1911.
Aero Plane Special Safety Match: Swedish firm's label used on mail as sticker, year unknown.
Aeroplane Station: circular date stamp for the Third Annual Aviation Meet, Oakland, Ca. sponsored by the Pacific Aero Club.
Aeroport: (Rom.) Airport.
Aeroport International de Kandahar: Kandahar international airport, Afghanistan postmark.
Aeroporto: (It.) Airport.
Aeropuerto: (Sp.) airport, used on postmarks.
Aerostato: (It.) balloon mail.
Aerotarg Poznan 1921: Poznan, Poland semi-official airmail stamps.
Aerovias Nacionales: Puerto Rico semi-official airmail stamps.
Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia: (Sp.) airline in Colombia; 1950-51: airmail stamps overprinted "A" for mail carried by AVIANCA.
Aer-phost: (Ire.) air post.
AF: 1. Afghanistan, country code as used by UPU. 2. currency abbreviation for afghan (Afghanistan).
Afars and Issas: Eastern Africa, formerly French colony of Somali Coast; now Djibouti Republic; stamps of this country can be found in these catalogs: Albany Stamp Company, Michel, Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Yvert & Tellier;currency:100 centimes = 1 Djiboutian franc (1967); 1896: organized as a colony, names of two tribes that inhabited the area, 1944: peace accord ended Afars rebellion, 1946: became territory within the French Union, 1958: member in the French Community, 1967-pre: French Somali Coast, stamps of Obock and Djibouti, 1967-77, Aug. 21: stamps inscribed French Territory of Afars and Issas, 1967, Aug. 21: first stamps issued, 1969, Aug. 21: first airmail, 1969, Dec. 15: postage due stamps issued, 1977, June 27: renamed the Republic of Djibouti, see Benadir, Djibouti, Obock, Oltre Giuba, Italian East Africa, Italian Somaliland, Somalia, Somalia Coast, Somalia Coast-French, and Somalia Coast Protectorate.
Afars and Issas: two tribes that inhabited the area.
AFC: Advanced facer-canceler, USPS term.
AFDCS: American First Day Cover Society.
A Felkelo Makyarok Altal Megszallot Nyugat Magyarzag 1921 Aug.-Sept.: (Hung.) overprint on stamps of Hungary produced by armed forces ousting Austrian troops occupying portion of Western Hungary per terms of the Versailles Treay: “Western Hungary Occupied by Insurgent Hungarians 1921 Aug.-Sept.”
Aff. Excep Faute Timb: (Fr.) abbreviation on handstamp used provisionally in Ethiopia in 1911 during shortage of postage stamps
Affiches: (Fr.) public signs and posters; French Colony revenue inscription.
Affiliates, APS: organized for the study of specific area of philately.
Affix: fasten, such as affix a postage stamp to an envelope.
Affixing machines: mechanical devices used to fasten stamps to correspondence.
Aff O: (Fr.) with Foreign Legion cross, overprint for Tunisia, may be private issue.
AFFP: Abyssinian Field Force Post Office; used 1869 on fieldpost envelopes
Affrancatura mista: (It.) mixed franking.
Affranch: official mail overprint used as precancellation in Andorra, France, Monaco, and Morocco; also overprint on some French stamps issued to officials for government mail.
Affranchi: (Fr.) stamped, prepaid.
Affranchi ainsi faute figurine: handstamp overprint on Madagascar and Diego Suarez during shortage of low values, may be private issue.
Affranchi a l'avance: (Fr.) pre-stamped.
Affranchi mécaniquement: (Fr.) metered (mail).
Affranchir: (Fr.) to stamp, to frank.
Affranchissemente: (Fr.) franking, postage.
Affranchissemente de fortune: (Fr.) make-shift franking.
Affranchissemente insuffusant: (Fr.) underfranked, insufficiently prepaid.
Affranchissemente mécanique: (Fr.) meter mark, meter postage.
Affranchissemente mixte: (Fr.) mixed franking.
Affranchts: (Fr.) affranchissements, exempted from payment, pre-cancel marking on French stamps used for official or bulk mailings of business mail.
Affreville: now Khemis Mil, Algeria; see: Algeria.
Afganistan: (Swed.) Afghanistan.
Afghan, Afghanes: Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: central Asia, north and west of Pakistan; currency:12 shahi = 6 sanar; 3 abasi = 1 rupee (1871); 60 paisa = 2 kran = 1 rupee (1920); 100 puls = 1 afghani (rupee) (1926) post-18th century: unified state, 1871: issued first stamps as Kingdom of Kabul, 1881-1919: British domination, 1891-pre: no cancellations were available and issuing clerk tore or cut out a piece of the stamp to prevent reuse, 1891: first registration stamps, 1891-July 1973: stamps for the Kingdom of Afghanistan, 1907: regained its autonomy, 1909: first official, parcel post stamp issued, 1919: became independent, 1927: used inscription Afghan Postage, 1928, April 1: joined Universal Postal Union, used inscription Afghanes Postes, 1938, Dec. 22: first postal tax stamp issued, 1939, Oct.: first air mail stamp issued, 1952, July 12: first semipostal stamp issued, 1973, July 29: first issue as republic, used inscription, Afghan Post, 1978: Soviet coup overthrew government, 1979, Dec.: Soviet Union invaded nation, 1989: government stopped issuing stamps, 1989-92: Russian troops withdrew and rebels fought among themselves, 1997: Taliban, Islamic regime, occupied most of nation, 2002: Taliban driven out of power by U.S., other nations.
Afgooye: inscription showing location of area depicted on 1980 stamp of Somalia.
A. F. I. S.: (It.) Amministrazione Fiduciaria Italiana della Somalia (Italian Trusteeship of Somalia); Italian Somaliland.
A.F.R.: see Asociatia Filatelistilor din Romania (A.F.R).
A Free Montenegro: 1920; label for Government in Exile issue prepared for King Nicholas return from exile, never issued since he died before taking office.
Africa: inscription on Portuguese territories 1898 issue.
Africa correios: Portuguese territories overprint on the 1898 issue.
Africa del Sur: (Sp.) South Africa.
African and Malagasy Union: common theme on stamps of the French Community of Nations, 1962.
Africa Occidental Espanola: (Sp.) Spanish West Africa inscription.
Africa Orientale Italiana: (It.) Italian East Africa inscription.
Africa, Portuguese: 1898: first commemorative stamp, 1919: first semi-postal stamp, 1945: first postage due stamp.
African Postal Union: common theme on stamps of the French Community of Nations, 1963, 1967, 1971, 1973.
Afrika: (Ger.) Africa.
Afrika Corps label: used to control number of packages mailed to Germany by members of the Africa Corps forces in World War II; each individual was allowed two labels a month.
Afrique: (Fr.) Africa.
Afrique Central Anglaise: (Fr.) British Central Africa.
Afrique del(du) Sud: (It., Fr.) South Africa.
Afrique Equatoriale Franeaise: (Fr.) inscription on French Equatorial Africa.
Afrique Equatoriale Franeaise: (Fr.) French Equatorial Africa overprint on stamps of Gabon, Middle Congo.
Afrique Equatoriale Gabon: (Fr.) Gabon Equatorial Africa.
Afrique Franeaise Combattante: (Fr.) French Equatorial Africa soldier surcharge; 1943: Red Cross semi-postals.
Afrique Franeais Libre: (Fr.) Free French Equatorial Africa overprint and inscription.
Afrique Occidental: (Fr.) Portuguese province, joined the UPU Jan. 1, 1922, left Nov. 11, 1975.
Afrique Occidental Espagnole: (Fr.) Spanish West Africa.
Afrique Occidental Espanola: (Sp.) Spanish West Africa.
Afrique Occidental Franeaise: (Fr.) French West Africa; overprint: see: A.O.F.
Afrique Occid le Française: (Fr.) inscription on postage due stamps of Senegal.
Afrique Orientale: 1. (Fr.) German East Africa overprint; 1918: Belgian Congo Charity issue stamps. 2. (Fr.) Portuguese province joined the UPU Jan.1, 1922, left Oct., 11, 1978.
Afrique Orientale Allemande: (Fr.) German East Africa.
Afrique Orientale Anglaise: (Fr.) British East Africa.
Afrique Orientale Italienne: (Fr.) Italian East Africa.
Afrique Sud-Ouest Allemande: (Fr.) German South-West Africa.
Afstempeling: (Dutch) canceled.
Afwijking(en): (Neth.) variet(ies).
No. 1 5¢ green, first Confederate government stamps appeared, 3¢ Postmaster’s Provisionals; issued stamps used by the seceding states prior to the control of the postal service by the Confederate States of America; see Hillsboro, N.C., Jackson, Miss., Madison Court House, Fl., Nashville, Tenn., Selma, Ala., and Tuscumbia, Ala.