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Stamp Glossary "C"
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
Chalky ( starch ) paper. A chalky-like ( starch )substance coats the surface to discourage the cleaning and reuse of cancelled stamps ( Shines at slanting illumination) Mostly of Russian definitive stamps was printed on normal (common) and chalky paper. Do not soak these stamps in any fluid!
Cachet (French pronounce ‘ka-shay') A design printed or stamped on an envelope describing or commemorating an event. Cachets can be for any event e.g. on first day of issue, first flight and stamp exhibition covers, etc.
Cancellation Markings or defacement placed on a stamp by a postal authority to show that it has been used.
Centering The position of the design on a postage stamp. On perfectly centered stamps the design is exactly in the middle.
CTO (Cancel To Order) Mint stamps, cancelled by postal authorities without having been used for postage. Have a postal cancellation, but with glue. Mostly of used Russian stamps in 1962-2001 is a CTO, (Also East European, African, Portugal, Cuba (post Castro).
Censored Mail Mail that have been opened and censored. The covers will have a hand stamp indicating the mail have been censored.
Centering The position of the design on a postage stamp. On perfectly centered stamps the design is exactly in the middle.
Charity Stamps Stamps that are sold at more than the inscribed face value usually with a printed or overprinted surcharge. The extra is used for charity work.
Christmas Seals Charity labels used to raise funds for various groups.
Christmas Stamps Special postage stamps issued for use on mail during the holiday season.
Cinderella Any stamp-like label without an official postal value.
Cinderella Label issued in the shape of a stamp and produced by a non-governmental body for promotional purposes.
Circuit Book Book with stamps or covers affixed and circulated for sale amongst members of a club.
Classic stamps An early stamp issue, has strict, "classic" design, usually pre-1930s. Most people consider these to be rare stamps, but classic stamps are not necessarily rare.
Cleaned Stamps which have had ink, fiscal or other cancellation removed by chemical.
Cleaned Plate When ink clogs a printing plate after continual printings, the resultant stamps are poorly printed. Stamps printed from the same plate, after cleaning, will look sharp and clean and are easily distinguishable as being from the ‘Cleaned Plate’.
Coarse Perforation Large holes and teeth far apart and irregularly spaced.
Coils Stamps issued in rolls (one stamp wide) for use in dispensers or vending machines.
Color Error An item printed in the wrong color or have colors omitted.
Color Shift A variety where one or more colors of a multicolored stamp are misaligned.
Color Trials Proofs taken in various selected colors to help in the selection process for the stamp to be issued.
Color Proofs Impressions of the approved colors taken prior to the stamps being printed.
Colored Cancellation A postmark applied to any stamp in any color other than black.
Color Changeling A stamp which has changed color due to chemical or climatic influences.
Combination Cover Postal envelope that bears the stamps of more than one country which was paid the postage for different portions of the journey.
Commemorative There are basically two types of postage stamps - commemorative and definitive commemorative stamp is one that is issued for a short time and which has an underlying special theme or subject : honor or commemorate anniversaries, important people or special events.
Composite Sheet A sheet of stamps made up of different values, types or designs.
Compound Envelope Official postal stationery bearing more than one embossed or printed stamp.
Compound Perforations Different gauge perforations on different (normally adjacent) sides of a single stamp.
Condominium Stamps Stamps issued by a country/territory under joint rule by two or more powers.
Control Letters and Numbers Inscriptions found on the margins of sheets of stamps.
Cover An envelope that has been sent through the postal system.
Cracked Plate A term used to describe stamps which show evidence that the plate from which they were printed was cracked.
Crosshatching - A screen-like background composed of ruled horizontal lines, or a combination of intersecting horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines closely spaced together, used to provide a contrasting background for the central vignette of a stamp.
Cut Square Imprinted stamp from envelope, card etc. that was cut in the form of a square or rectangle.
Cut to Shape Imprinted stamp from envelope, card, etc. that was cut to outline of the stamp design.
Cylinder Numbers Numbers in the margins of stamps printed by photogravure from rotary cylinders. A separate number appears for each different color used in multi-colored stamps.