Stamp Collecting Terminology

There lots of terms used in stamp collecting. I will not define all of them as that would be a very long lists. Here are some stamp collecting terminology that you commonly encounter.

Block - four or more connected stamps that form a square or rectangle.

Booklet Panes - small specially printed sheets of stamps in a form of a booklet.

Cancellation - any mark applied to a stamp to prevent it's reuse.

Commemorative Stamps - special issued stamps to honor a person, place or event.

Commemorative Sheets - special sheets of stamps for commemorative collection.

Cover - is an envelope used to mail to correspondence.

First Day Cover - FDC is an envelope that is postmarked on the affixed stamp's first day of use.

Imperforations - are stamps that do not have holes for separation.

Miniature Sheets - sometimes known as souvenir sheets. Abbreviated as M/S

Mint - stamp that are in their unused original condition and never canceled.

Mint Sheets - sheets of stamps that are in their unused original condition.

Overprint - any printing added to a stamp after the original printing is completed.

Perforations - are holes punched between stamps for easy separation.

Philately - term for stamp collecting.

Revenue Stamp - stamp indicating payment for tax or fee

Scott/SC - Scott Catalogue

Se-Tenant - are adjacent stamps that differ in design or denomination.

Self-Adhesive - are stamps with special adhesive that does not require moisturing.

SG - Stanly Gibbons Catalogue.

Sheets - sheets or sheets of stamps are units of stamps printed on a large sheet.

Souvenir Sheets - a block or set of postage stamps or a single stamp printed on a single sheet of paper often without gum or perforations and with margins containing lettering or design that identifies some notable event being commemorated. It is abbreviated as S/S.

Unused - stamps that are not used or canceled

Used - stamps that has been canceled.