Stamp Glossary "A"

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Accessories Tools used by stamp collectors such as stamp tongs (tweezers), watermark detectors, hinges, stamp mounts, perforation gauges, stamps albums,etc.

Adhesive Usually refers to a stamp with gum on the back to enable it to be pasted on a letter, etc.. Nowadays many postal adminstrations are issuing stamps in booklets for the convenience of customers which are peelable and without the need to wet the gum before sticking onto the envelope. These are known as self-adhesives.

Advertising Labels Labels containing advertisement attached to a normal stamp, with or without perforation.

Advertisement Pane A booklet or sheet of stamps with one or more stamp spaces used for commercial advertisement.

Advertising Stamps It was first used during World War I as a propaganda tool.

Advertising Stationary It was used in USSR as printed slogans. From the obverse and return party of post envelopes.

Advice of Delivery Allowing the sender, on payment of a fee, to be notified of the delivery of the item.

Aerogramme A sheet of paper that is foldable with gummed flaps to seal it. It is a cheap mode of sending letters by air mail. You affix a stamp to the front for postage but modern postal adminstrations issues them with imprinted pictures and stamp. They are developed from the overseas Forces Air Letters used during World War II.

Aerophilately The collecting of air mail stamps, First fly covers and air related postal items.

Air Label Labels inscribed "Par Avion", "AVIA" or equivalent text, that means "by air" and pasted on postal items to indicate delivery by air.

Air Mail Letters packets or any other postal item that is delivered by air transport. Some countries issues special stamps and covers with printed stamps for such mail but most allows the use of normal stamps.

Air Mail Stamp A stamp that is intended to prepay air mail postage.

Albino Impression (Imprint) - A colorless embossed impression of an uninked portion of a die which appears on a print; typically, a banknote company's inscription or a die number. Albino impressions appear because the pressure of the proof press nevertheless forced the paper into such uninked recesses of a die.

Album A book to hold and display stamps or covers.

All Over Cachet Design that covers the envelope face and may also include the back of the envelope (Used from First Day Cancellation).

All Purpose Cachet A general design envelope that is applicable to various events. (Used from First Day Cancellation sets).

Aniline Ink - A water-soluble ink which fluoresces under ultraviolet light

Approvals Stamps sent by a dealer to a collector for examination. Approvals must either be bought or returned to the dealer within a specified time.

Arc Roulette Separation method between stamps in which curved cuts appear as a semi-circle.

Artistamps Labels designed by artists to simulate stamps.

ATM Stamps Stamps which are bought from Automated Teller Machine dispensers.

Auction A public sale at which stamps or covers are sold to the highest bidder. Bidding can be done in person or by mail, Internet or by phone through an agent. Also see Internet Auction.