Types of Stamp Collections
Mint Collections"Mint" stamps have never been used. Traditionally, collectors of "mint" stamps buy new stamps from the post office and place the stamps directly within an album.
These stamps are distinguished by the lack of cancellation marks and the unblemished gum/adhesive on the rear side. |
Postally Used/Canceled Collections"Used" or "canceled" stamps have been postally used to delivery an envelope or package. Once their intended purpose is complete, the collector gathers the stamps for placement within an album
These stamps are easily distinguished by the ink marks called "cancellations" that the postal service applies while processing the envelope. |
WorldwideCountries around the world issue postage stamps. A worldwide collection potentially includes stamps from each and every country from Aden to Austria to Cambodia to Cyprus to Gabon to Haiti to Jamaica to Macao to Namibia to Pitcairn Islands to San Marino to Thailand to the United States and to Zimbabwe. The United Nations also issues postage stamps.
|
Nation-SpecificNation-specific collections focus on just one or small number of countries. Some collections specialize in "dead countries," which are countries that no longer exist. An example is "South Vietnam."
Often a collection is specific to the country in which it is located, such as the United States, plus countries in which the collector has relatives. |
First Day CoverWhen a country issues (releases) a new stamp, a "first day ceremony" might be conducted. Envelopes with the new stamp that are canceled on that exact date are considered "first day covers."
If there is not a "first day ceremony" and no "issue date" is announced, then collectors typically seek stamps canceled on the date of "first known use." More information: American First Day Cover Society |
Topical or ThematicWhen a collector seeks stamps containing only specific depictions, it is a topical collection. Perhaps the collection is specific to royalty pictured on stamps, trains on stamps, birds on stamps, flowers on stamps, or any other topic.
Expanding upon topical collecting, thematic collecting seeks stamps that either depict the concept OR have an indirect connection to the concept. For example, a collection of birds that could potentially be found in Minnesota. More information: American Topical Association |
Plate Number CoilWhen a coil (aka roll) of stamps is printed, roughly 1-3% of the stamps include the "plate number," which is a notation made by the printing shop. This number is typically positioned at the bottom of the stamp. It can be a single digit or series of digits. Since the mid-1990's, a single letter prefix identifies the printing company.
More information: Plate Number Coils Collector Club |
Plate Numbers on SelvageWhen stamps are printed on sheets or in booklets, the plate number is typically printed on the selvage, which is the perimeter of unused paper. Collectors of these plate numbers typically save the selvage while also keeping it in-tact with a single stamp or block of stamps.
More information: The American Plate Number Single Society |
PerfinWhen the owner of a stamp punctures a unique pattern of tiny holes in the stamp, this branding is called a "perfin." This prevents theft of stamps by corporate employees. This practice disappeared in the 1980's as meter machines became more predominant.
More information: The Perfin Society |
Meter MailA "meter" is a private machine that prints postage on a sticker or directly upon an envelope, bypassing the need for postage stamps. The machine provides for detailed accounting of how much was used by the company, perhaps tracking usage by corporate departments or specific employees.
More information: The Meter Mail Stamp Society |
PrecancelWhen corporations send bulk quantities of mail, it was easier for the postal service to cancel the stamps prior to being affixed to the envelope or package. This is called precanceling. This practice disappeared with the introduction of meter machines and other postage accounting practices.
More information: The Precancel Stamp Society |
Post MarkThe postal service process of cancelling a stamp results in an ink "post mark" being overprinted upon the cover (aka envelope and stamp). A variety of postmark styles exist, such as the fancy cancels. Post marks can be applied by hand or machine.
More information: Post Mark Collectors Club, Universal Ship Cancellation Society, The International Machine Cancel Society |
Air Mail, and other "Back of the Book"Postal service agencies print stamps dedicated to a variety of specialty services. Such stamps are typically documented in the back of stamp catalogue books, deriving the nickname "Back Of Book" stamps. Amongst these are "air mail" stamps, which the United States discontinued in 2001. Other B.O.B. stamps are semi-postals, postage due, special delivery, and parcel post.
More information: American Air Mail Society |
Revenue, including Duck StampsThough not postage stamps, revenue stamps are government-issued stamps to acknowledge the payment of various taxes and fees. These fees or taxes can include duck hunting, automotive, potato, cigar, playing cards, and much more.
More information: The American Revenue Association |
Postal StationaryIn addition to postage stamps, the postal service prints postage directly upon postal cards, envelopes, and aerogram stationary. This "back of the book" material can be collected as entire envelopes or as "cut squares."
More information: United Postal Stationary Society |
PostcardsThough not stamp collecting, the hobby of postcard collecting is closely connected to stamp collecting because used postcards have stamps attached. Therefore, the hobbies overlap. A person who collect postcards is a "deltiologist."
More information: Twin City Postcard Club |
Errors, Freaks, & OdditiesIn philatelic terminology, an "error" is when several stamps have the same consistent flaw, such as an inverted picture or the wrong text. A "freak" is a one-time flaw such as a small group of stamps folding in the printing process. An "oddity" is when several stamps have similar flaws, but the flaw is not consistently identical across all affected stamps, such as misaligned colors.
More information: Errors, Freaks & Oddities Collectors' Club |
CinderellasA "cinderella" is something that has similarities to a postage stamp, but is not a valid postage stamp. This includes revenues (mentioned above), Christmas seals, Red Cross stamps, merchant trading stamps, forgeries, bogus stamps, and other non-postage lookalikes.
More information: Cinderella Stamp Club |