Expressions Plus

Philatelic Terms A-B: From Advertising Cover to Bull’s Eye Cancellation

Philatelic Terms and Abbreviations

ADVERTISING COVER: A cover with a design which promotes or advertises the product or services of an agency or company

American Advertising Cover of 1899; Dogs as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
American Advertising Cover of 1899; Dogs as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
American Advertising Cover of 1904; Dogs as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
American Advertising Cover of 1904; Dogs as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection

AEROGRAM or AEROGRAMME: A sheet of airmail stationery with pre-paid postage fee designed to carry a written message and which is folded to form its own envelope

Australian Aerogram of 1985; Birds as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Australian Aerogram of 1985; Birds as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Philippine Aerogram of 1954; Aviation and Birds as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Philippine Aerogram of 1954; Aviation and Birds as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
American Aerogram of 1976; Aviation as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
American Aerogram of 1976; Aviation as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection

AERO-PHILATELY: A specialized field in stamp collecting that deals with airmail stamps and covers

 

AUCTION: A public sale of philatelic items in which lots are sold through bidding

 

BACKSTAMP: The official postmark applied at the back of the mail upon arrival in its place of destination

Philippine Backstamp on Used American Cover of 1995; Singers as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection; Sender’s Name and Addresses Altered for Privacy and Safety Reasons
Philippine Backstamp on Used American Cover of 1995; Singers as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection; Sender's Name and Addresses Altered for Privacy and Safety Reasons

BISECT: A stamp cut in half, and each part of the stamp is worth half the value of the stamp and still valid for postage utilization

 

BLOCK: Un-separated stamps – in their original, connected form – which usually consist of four or more stamps and resembles the square or rectangular figure

Philippine Block of 4 Stamps of 1982; Eagle as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Philippine Block of 4 Stamps of 1982; Eagle as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection

BOOKLET: A miniature folder with a specified number of stamps

Belizean Booklet (Undated); Olympics as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Belizean Booklet (Undated); Olympics as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
American Booklet (Undated); Birds and Flowers as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
American Booklet (Undated); Birds and Flowers as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection

BOOKLET STAMP: A stamp from a booklet

Australian Booklet Stamps of 1990; Birds and Christmas as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Australian Booklet Stamps of 1990; Birds and Christmas as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Estonian Booklet Stamps of 1994; Birds as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
Estonian Booklet Stamps of 1994; Birds as Topic for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
German Booklet Stamps of 1972; Olympics and Sports as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection
German Booklet Stamps of 1972; Olympics and Sports as Topics for Topical or Thematic Stamp Collection

BOURSE: A market place or an organized trade show where stamp dealers sell philatelic items and which is usually put in place in connection with a major philatelic exhibition

 

BULL’S EYE CANCELLATION: A postmark that has been applied centrally to the stamp affixed in a mail