Mystic’s Guide To

STAMP COLLECTING

• How to start or buildyour stamp collection

• Identifying yourstamps

• Eleven major types ofU.S. stamps explained

• Stories of the world’s mostfamous stamps

• Stamp glossary• Stamp collecting tools• How to organize and care for your collection

Plus: The Seven Best Reasons to Collect Stamps andHow to pick and choose the stamps you need

Dear Fellow Stamp Collector,Welcome to the fun and relaxing world of stamp

collecting. Although Mystic’s business is selling stamps,First Day Covers, and supplies, all of us really enjoy helping you with your collection! I feel like I’ve made anew friend now that you’ve joined our Mystic family.

Maybe that’s because I come from a family of stamp collectors – and I learned at a very young age all the funand rewards stamps have to offer. As I got older, I realizedthe part relaxation played in collecting… it was soothingto spend time unwinding over my collection. And stampcollecting is a real “armchair” hobby – especially with afull-service company like Mystic. There are no hassles,because you never have to leave the comfort of your home. Our huge inventory isjust an order away, and you get delivery right to your door.

This booklet gives you valuable basic information every stamp collector shouldhave. It will give you some good ideas for building your own collection. Relax,have fun and enjoy yourself. You’re in good company. Contact Mystic for all yourcollecting needs – we’re waiting to serve you!

Sincerely,

Donald Sundman

P.S. If you see terms you don’t understand, check the Philatelic Glossary on pages 24-27. And, for your convenience, we invite you to visit our website atMysticStamp.com for even more fun information about stamp collecting.

HighlightsBest Reasons to Collect Stamps .............................................................................4-5Stories of World-Famous Stamps ...........................................................................6-8Major Categories of U.S. Stamps.........................................................................9-10Starting Your Stamp Collection ...............................................................................11Foreign Stamps ........................................................................................................12First Day Covers ......................................................................................................12How to Identify Your Stamps .............................................................................13-14Organizing Your Collection and Choosing an Album..............................................15Basic Tools of the Stamp Collector .........................................................................16How to Soak Your Stamps .......................................................................................17Hinges, Mounts, and Selvage – What You Need to Know .................................18-19How Mystic Can Help Your Collection Grow....................................................20-22Approvals.................................................................................................................21Website ....................................................................................................................23Glossary of Stamp Collecting Terms..................................................................24-27Foreign Stamp Identifier ....................................................................................27-32Profit Shares.............................................................................................................32

Don Sundman President

Mystic Stamp Company

Copyright © 2010 by Mystic Stamp Company

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Stamp Collecting Thoughts From Don SundmanWhen the world’s first adhesive postage stamp was

issued in Great Britain on May 1, 1840, it quickly becamea collectors’ item and the hobby of stamp collecting wasborn. The “Penny Black” showed a beautifully engravedportrait of the 18-year-old Queen Victoria – the only like-ness of herself she ever allowed to be used on stampsissued throughout her 64-year reign.

Some 170 years ago the Penny Black ushered in themodern postal system. Nobody knew then what effectstamps would have on the millions of lucky people aroundthe world who would share the hobby of stamp collecting. But we know nowthat the first postage stamp did so much more than make efficient, inexpensivepostal service available to the average citizen. It was the launching of the stimu-lating and challenging pastime that has come to be known as the “world’s great-est hobby.” It’s little wonder that the romance between the Penny Black andstamp collectors continues today – or that every collector dreams of adding theworld’s first postage stamp to their collection!

Stamps, like tiny mirrors, reflect what we as Americans feel is important.The people, places, and events that have shaped us and our society, as well asthose of the world beyond our borders, are highlighted on postage stamps.Stamps represent our American heritage and our history, as well as our introductionto the cultures and languages of countries and people around the globe.

Perhaps best of all, in collecting stamps we’re privileged to have a peacefulhaven to visit when the stresses of the world weigh us down. We get lost inour stamps and have complete control of this little corner of our world. Wefeel the fun and excitement, the thrill of the chase, and the discovery of somuch knowledge. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said “I owe my life to myhobbies, especially stamp collecting.”

Over the years, Mystic has received wonderful letters from collectors wholet us know how much stamp collecting has helped them deal with stressful situations. I’ll never forget this note from Bob of Arvada, California, who toldus: “I’m a recovering cancer patient and one method of healing therapy for mewas to start stamp collecting…it has been very helpful to me.”

President Roosevelt believed strongly that “Stamp collecting dispelsboredom, enlarges our vision, broadens our knowledge, makes us better citizensand in innumerable ways, enriches our lives.” As a lifelong collector, I couldn’tagree with him more.

World’s FirstPostage Stamp –The Penny Black

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Stamps Are Fun...One of the very best reasons to collect stamps is for the

pure fun of it. Stamp collecting is fun because it’s personal –you collect the kinds of stamps you want, the way you wantto collect them, whenever and wherever you want to.There’s no right way or wrong way. (Mystic is here to helpyou and this little book will give you some ideas.)

When you collect stamps, you’re in complete control. It’sone corner of the world where whatever you say goes. Yourstamp time is your own, a time to relax, escape the everydayroutine, and expand your horizons. And stamp collectingalways has something fun to offer... sorting, arranging andmounting your stamps, acquiring new ones, finding out theintriguing stories behind your stamps, exploring the fascinating

world of watermarks, errors, perforations, and so much more.

Collecting stamps is challenging and personally satisfying. You’ll experience the thrillof the chase as you finally acquire that special stamp you’ve been looking for and thenanother and another... Whatever your interest, stamps provide you with an oasis of pleasurein an often hectic world.

Stamps Are Affordable...It’s amazing... imagine owning a genuine U.S. postage stamp

that’s 140 years old for as little as $1.50! Like the one illustratedhere. Price depends on how many were issued so long ago, howmany have been snapped up into permanent collections and howmany actually survive today. That means even very old stampscan be very affordable, especially in postally used condition.

Used stamps have a real history and romance all their own.Who knows where they’ve been and what news of momentousevents of the day they’ve carried? They could even have beenused by a President, prominent scientist, or beloved entertainer –the possibilities are endless. And you can afford all this history!

Stamps Are History...Every time you open your album, stamps take you wherever

you want to go in our nation’s past... the plains of the Old West, the Space Race, the White House, the AmericanRevolution, the battlefields of the Civil War, and so muchmore. Stamps chronicle 19th and 20th century America likenothing else.

Stamps reflect our historical heritage and our heroes, aswell as our culture and our achievements. Our accomplish-ments, hopes and dreams... conquering space, discoveringmedical cures, preserving our environment, making the worlda more peaceful place. U.S. stamps are a tribute to all thisand more. Stamps are souvenirs of our past – truly historyyou can hold in your hands.

By more than 3 to 1 the publicchose this portrait to immortalizethe legendary Elvis Presley.1,128,923 votes were cast!

This stamp was issued in1870, 140 years ago. Yetit sells for just $1.50 inused condition.

A historical snapshot – the Landingof Columbus – is captured foreveron this 1893 stamp from America’s(some say the world’s) oldest commemorative series.

The Seven Best Reasons to Collect Stamps

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Stamps Are Travel...Stamps show us traveling the globe as well as taking our

first tentative steps into outer space... exploring the frigidicefields of Antarctica and the eerily beautiful landscapes ofthe moon; celebrating the diversity of America from exoticHawaii north to Alaska, with the variety of 48 great states inbetween; discovering the Pacific Ocean and blasting offaboard the space shuttle; flying across the Atlantic to Pariswith Charles Lindbergh and floating above the clouds in alighter-than-air ship called the Graf Zeppelin. You can satisfyyour wanderlust just by sitting in your favorite chair, openingyour album and browsing among your stamps.

Stamps Are Art...Having a stamp collection is like having a miniature art gallery

right in your own home. Many older U.S. stamps are masterpieces ofthe engraver’s art, while modern stamps use innovative, multi-coloreddesigns and even computer images to get their message across. U.S.stamps exhibit the work of artists like Norman Rockwell, GeorgiaO’Keeffe, Peter Max, Winslow Homer, and Frederic Remington, toname just a few. The portrait of every late U.S. President is found on

at least one U.S. stamp. So if you love art, you’ll lovestamp collecting. And remember, you’ll be preservingthese tiny works of art for future generations.

Stamps Are Valuable...Some stamps are tremendously

valuable. A stamp may be worththousands of dollars because it has a printing error, or becauseonly a few examples survive. These stamps are fun to look at anddream about, and who knows, maybe one day to own. And sincethere’s a little bit of a dreamer in every one of us stamp collectors,we all fantasize about owning a great stamp rarity or finding astamp error hiding out in our own collection. But even if you neverdiscover an error, you can own hundreds, even thousands of beautifuland important stamps.

Stamps Are Important...The issue of the world’s first adhesive postage stamp in England revolutionized the way

mail was sent. After May 6, 1840, the cost of sending a letter was paid by the senderinstead of collected from the recipient. The price was just one British Penny per ounce,

rather than being based on distance. This change enabledthe common man to communicate much more affordably.Mail volume more than doubled in the year following its issue!

But stamps are important not only because they enable usto communicate through letters; stamps are a statementabout who we are as Americans. They are symbols of ourstruggles and our strengths – of victory in war, progress inpeace, and faith in the future.

Best of all, stamps give the gift of a fun, happy andhealthy hobby to us and millions of other Americans.

The ultimate journey –“One small step for a man, one giant leap for Mankind.”– Neil Armstrong upon hisdescent to the surface of themoon, July 20, 1969.

Frederic Remington made the oldWest his specialty, painting andsculpting Native Americans, cow-boys, soldiers, and horses. Shownabove is “The Smoke Signal.”

In 2007, an Inverted Jenny Error stamp soldfor over $900,000! Thisone survived the LondonBlitz of World War II.

This is theworld’s firstpostagestamp – ThePenny Black.Instantly popular withcollectors,this stamp

shows Queen Victoria at 18. TheQueen never allowed any otherportrait of herself to be used on a British stamp!

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Read about some of the world’s famous postage stamps...

The British Guiana 1¢ MagentaIn 1873, a Scottish schoolboy discovered an

unusual stamp while sorting through his uncle’sletters. Although he was a budding collector,twelve-year-old Vernon Vaughn was unaware thathe was holding the world’s rarest stamp.

It isn’t surprising that Vernon didn’t recognizethe stamp. The British Guiana 1¢ Magenta wasn’tlisted in 19th-century stamp catalogs. In addition,its corners had been cut off to form an octagon andthe stamp was in generally poor condition. Vernon soaked the stamp off itsenvelope and placed it in his stamp album.

A short time later, Vernon sold his stamp to a local dealer in order to raisemoney to buy more foreign stamps for his collection. Also unaware of its rarity,the dealer paid just six shillings for the unusual stamp. Years went by and thestamp dealer sold his entire collection to Wylie Hill of Glascow, Scotland.While studying Hill’s collection, London stamp dealer Edward Pembertonrealized the magenta stamp was a one-of-a-kind rarity.

During its colonial era, British Guiana received its postage stamps fromEngland. In 1856, supplies ran out before a fresh shipment of stamps arrived.The postmaster of British Guiana authorized an emergency issue with 1¢ and4¢ denominations. The printer reproduced the basic design elements of thecurrent stamps and added the image of a ship. To guard against clever forgeries,the postmaster ordered postal clerks to hand cancel each stamp with their signature. The British Guiana 1¢ Magenta paid the newspaper rate in effect in1856 and bears the initials “E.D.W.”

The British Guiana 1¢ Magenta has been sought by some of the world’smost famous stamp collectors. Count Philippe la Renotieré von Ferrary paid asum equal to $85,000 for the rarity in the 1880s and bequeathed it to a Berlinmuseum. Ferrary’s collection was seized and auctioned to repay war debts following World War I. Bidding against three kings, including King George Vof England, Arthur Hind purchased the 1¢ Magenta for the equivalent of $1.5million in 1922. At the time, it was a record sale price for a postage stamp.

John E. DuPont, heir to a vast fortune, purchased the 1¢ Magenta for$935,000 in 1980. DuPont died in 2010 while serving a prison sentence. TheBritish Guiana is currently locked in a bank vault, out of sight and unavailable tocollectors, while a number of claims are presented against his estate.

World’s Rarest Postage Stamp –British Guiana 1¢ Magenta

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24¢ Jenny InvertAlthough he was familiar with the potential for

errors associated with bi-color printing, collectorWilliam Robey was stunned at his good fortunewhen a postal clerk sold him a sheet of 100 inverted24¢ airmail stamps. The date was May 14, 1918, andone of the most colorful stories in philately wasabout to unfold.

World War I was raging when Postmaster GeneralBurleson suddenly announced that airmail servicewould begin on May 15, 1918, between New YorkCity, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Already understaffed and overworkedproducing war bonds and revenue stamps, the Bureau of Engraving and Printingrushed to print the first U.S. airmail stamps.

A patriotic design featuring the Curtiss JN-4 airplane in red, white, and bluewas chosen to lift war-weary spirits. Printing the stamp in two colors requiredworkers to pass the stamp sheet through the printing press twice. Nine sheets werefed through the press backwards. A single error sheet slipped by their watchfuleyes and made its way to a Washington, D.C., post office. Robey purchased thesheet for $24.00, an amount equal to more than $1,169 in today’s wages.

Word of Robey’s windfall spread rapidly. Employees immediately located anddestroyed eight remaining error sheets in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’sinventory. Many collectors assumed incorrectly that the stamps had been printed intraditional sheets of 400. That scenario left three panes of 100 unaccounted for,and both collectors and government officials went on a fruitless scavenger hunt insearch of the missing inverted stamps.

Robey sold his sheet of inverted stamps to Eugene Klein for $15,000, a62,500% profit. Klein re-sold the sheet to eccentric multi-millionaire ColonelEdward H.R. Green for $20,000, a figure equal to almost $975,000 today. Actingon Green’s behalf, Klein numbered each stamp in pencil, broke the sheet up andsold several single stamps. Colonel Green kept the unique Jenny Invert Plate-Number Block for his personal stamp collection until his 1936 death.

The Jenny Invert Plate Number Block circulated among philately’s elite fordecades. Several record sale prices, culminating with a $2.97 million sale in 2005,reflect its status as the world’s greatest stamp rarity.

The Jenny Invert Plate-Number Block made headlines again in 2005. DonSundman, president of Mystic Stamp Company, traded his rare 1868 1¢ Z Grillstamp for the one-of-a-kind Jenny Invert Plate-Number Block. With a combinedvalue of $6 million, the trade is a landmark in philatelic history and anotherintriguing chapter in the fabulous story of the 24¢ inverted airmail stamps.

24¢ Jenny Invert – America’sGreatest Stamp Rarity

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CIA Candleholder InvertIn 1985, news of a newly discovered U.S. invert

stamp rocked the philatelic world. It was the first majorinverted stamp in 66 years and said to be rarer than thecoveted Jenny inverts. But the details were cloaked insecrecy, hidden in a maze of deception that took twoyears to unravel.

The story began when an auctioneer specializing inU.S. error stamps announced the discovery of 85 inverted1979 $1 Rush Lamp stamps. The stamps had been discovered by a “business in northern Virginia” and thefinder wished to remain anonymous. The Bureau ofEngraving and Printing launched an internal investigation and found that therewere no indications of impropriety by its employees.

A few months later, Mystic Stamp Company joined with two partners andpurchased 50 of the inverts. Curious about their origin, Mystic President DonSundman filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Bureau ofEngraving and Printing. Months passed. When the report finally arrived, itwas accompanied by a cover letter – from the Central Intelligence Agency!Names were blocked out in the 35-page report, but Sundman was able gatherenough information to trace the stamps back to the C.I.A.

Sundman discovered that an on-duty C.I.A. employee had purchased thepartial sheet of 95 inverted stamps at a small post office near McLean, Virginia.When he and his co-workers realized what they had, they pooled their moneyand substituted non-error $1 Rush Lamp stamps for the inverts. Each of thenine co-workers kept a stamp. The remaining 86 stamps, including one thatwas damaged, were quietly sold to the auctioneer.

The story made headlines across the nation and was featured on everymajor television network. The CIA launched an ethics investigation anddemanded that the co-workers surrender their inverts or face 10 years in prisonand a $10,000 fine for conversion of government property for personal gain.Five employees returned their stamps, one claimed his had been lost, and threepeople resigned. The CIA donated the recovered inverts to the National PostalMuseum, where they joined a copy donated earlier by Mystic.

Investigations conducted by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving and JusticeDepartment cleared the co-workers of any wrongdoing. Twenty years later, theemployee who purchased the sheet and later claimed to have lost his copyoffered to sell the stamp to Mystic. Today these neat error stamps, bearing thewords “America’s Light Fueled By Truth and Reason,” retail for $15,000 each.

The CIA Invert rocked the halls ofCIA Headquarters

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Eleven Major Categories of U.S. StampsDefinitive

The stamp known as the “workhorse” of the postal system is thedefinitive, or regular-issue stamp. Paying postage on everydaymail, it’s issued in a wide variety of denominations. A single issue isused for long periods of time. Definitives are interesting to collect.Since their extended use means they are reprinted from time totime, there can be many differences among the stamps, which atfirst glance appear the same. You may find differences in design due to variations inprinting plates, printing methods, color, margin dates, watermarks (on older U.S.stamps), perforations, and type of gum (self-adhesive or water-activated).

CommemorativeIn 1893, a new type of stamp was produced. The com-

memorative is a stamp issued to honor an important person,event, or anniversary. It’s printed in smaller quantities thandefinitives, and is sold for a limited time, usually a fewmonths. Unsold stamps are generally destroyed. The firstU.S. commemorative stamps were issued to commemoratethe 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The 16-stamp seriesdepicted the various stages of Columbus’ voyages to the New World. Today thesestamps are highly valued by collectors. Commemoratives make America’s historycome alive.

Semi-PostalSemi-postals are postage stamps with an

additional charge (called a surcharge) intendedto raise money for a specific cause. In 1997,the Postal Service issued the first U.S. semi-postal stamp. It paid the 32¢ postage rate andan extra 8¢ from its sale went to help fundbreast cancer search. In 2002 the Heroes of9/11 semi-postal raised funds for the familiesof emergency personnel killed or disabled onSeptember 11, 2001.

Scott numbers for semi-postals begin with a “B”.

AirmailIn 1918, Airmail Service was started in the U.S.

and there was a need for airmail stamps to pre-payairmail postal rates. The first airmail stamp was the24¢ Curtiss Jenny. Although U.S. mail is routinelycarried by air now, airmail stamps are still issued foruse on international mail. Airmail stamps are listedwith Scott numbers beginning with “C”.

From 1934-36, the Post Office Department issued Airmail Special Deliverystamps. These were to provide air postage and a fee for special delivery. Therewere only two such stamps issued: Scott numbers CE1 & CE2.

Postage DueThe first postage due stamp was issued in 1879. Its use

indicated an amount due to the post office when not enoughpostage was put on a piece of mail. Postage due stamps havelarge numerals indicating the amount of postage owed. Use ofpostage due stamps was discontinued in 1986. Postage duestamps have Scott numbers beginning with “J”.

Special DeliveryIn 1885, a new postal service was begun – special

delivery. The special delivery stamp indicated that anextra fee had been charged for immediate delivery to aperson’s address once the mail was delivered to the nearest post office. Special delivery stamps aredesignated by Scott numbers beginning with “E”.

Parcel PostIn 1912, stamps were introduced to pay postage on

parcels. There were twelve parcel post stamps issued, allwith different denominations and designs, but with thesame format and color. Postal workers had trouble tellingthe difference between the 1¢ and $1 stamps. By 1913,parcel post charges could be paid for with any stamp, andparcel post stamps became obsolete. Scott Numbers forparcel post stamps begin with “Q”.

Also issued in 1912 were the Parcel Post PostageDue stamps. They are Scott number “JQ” and show thatthere is an amount to be collected from the addressee.

OfficialThe term “official” refers to a stamp used only by a department

of the government. In 1873, the U.S. issued official stamps forthe Executive Branch and the departments of Agriculture, Interior,Justice, Navy, Post Office, Treasury, and War. These officialstamps were in use for seven years. Now there is just one type ofofficial stamp which is used by all branches of government. Scottnumbers for officials begin with “O”.

RevenueThe final major type of U.S. stamp is the revenue

stamp. These stamps show the collection of tax orpayment of a fee. The most popular of these revenues are probably the migratory bird huntingstamps, or duck stamps, as they are commonlycalled. They are issued annually. Revenue stampsare given Scott numbers beginning with an “R”.

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How to start your stamp collectionYou can start your collection right at your own mailbox! Just save all

envelopes with stamps on them, and follow our easy directions on how to safelyremove the stamps from the paper. (See page 17 for directions.) Ask your family and friends to save their stamps for you, too.As your collection expands, you’ll want new ways of acquiring stamps. All

kinds of stamps can be purchased easily through the mail and on the Internet.Always buy stamps from a reputable company (like Mystic) that guaranteesyour satisfaction. Mystic offers catalogs and price lists as well as “stamps onapproval” that let you receive stamp selections at home before you pay evenone penny. Keep only the stamps you want and return the others with yourpayment! See page 21 to learn more about Mystic’s Approval Service.

Wondering what to collect?It’s up to you! There’s no right or wrong way to collect stamps, so you’re free

to choose what pleases you. You can collect all U.S. stamps or just modern U.S.commemoratives. Your collection may be organized by stamp type such as definitive, airmail, or revenue (see pages 9-10 for more information). You coulddevote your collection to a single topic that interests you, such as cats, sports,space or paintings. Foreign stamps offer a window into other cultures, are a greatway to enjoy geography, and offer “armchair travel.” Other neat possibilitiesinclude First Day Covers (see page 12), exotic postmarks, and stamps issued during a specific era like the Civil War. These are just a few ideas.Your fellow stamp collectors are eager to share their hobby, so consider joining

a local stamp club for information and inspiration! The Internet can help you too.

Scott Catalog NumbersScott Publishing Company developed the first complete identification

system for stamps. Scott doesn’t offer stamps for sale, but lists estimated values for each one and assigns each a “Scott Number” in its annual catalogs.Most stamp dealers, collectors, and even the U.S. Postal Service use Scott

Numbers to identify U.S. stamps. Mystic’s catalogs, circulars, and now ourAmerican Heirloom Album identify U.S. stamps by Scott Number.Scott’s yearly catalogs also identify most foreign stamps. Some countries

have their own catalogs, listing stamps that Scott doesn’t.

Why some stamps are so valuable (and others aren’t!)The value of a particular stamp is based mainly on the law of “supply and

demand” – and condition. If demand is high and supply is low, the price for anissue will usually increase. If the supply is low but demand is also low, theprice will stay the same or decline. Also, stamps of higher quality generallysell for more than those in good, average condition. Rare error stamps such asthe famous “Jenny Invert” are very valuable because few exist.For many collectors, the real value of a stamp has little to do with money.

It’s the sense of pride that comes from watching our collections grow, the funof discovering our American and world heritage, and the privilege of owningimportant pieces of history, and preserving them for future generations.

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About Foreign Stamps...Collecting Brings Geography and History to Life Collecting foreign stamps offers

you a great way to learn about ourworld – effortlessly and from thecomfort of your easy chair. Foreignstamps provide an insider’s viewof each nation’s history, culture,people, and events.Foreign stamps may be pur-

chased individually, in packets, orin complete year sets. Prices vary,but many desirable stamps arealso very affordable.A number of nations issue

stamps featuring pop culture, celebrities, and other topics that are fun to collect.In fact, stamps of other countries are the only way to collect stamps depictingliving people and current events. With the exception of presidents, individualshonored on U.S. stamps must have died 10 years before a stamp is issued.Collections devoted to countries that no longer exist are popular. Or you

may choose to focus on a specific region, era, or topic that interests you.

Learn Why You Should Collect First Day Covers...A First Day Cover is a very

special collectible, createdwhen a postage stamp isfirst issued.First, a newly issued

stamp is affixed to an enve-lope or “cover.” This enve-lope often features a specialdesign, or “cachet,” relatedto the topic of the stamp.Older First Day Coversoften have no cachet.Now here’s the key part:

the cover must receive anOfficial First Day of IssueCancellation and Postmark from a specially designated Post Office. (Some-times several Post Offices share this honor.) So each First Day Cover features adesign, stamp, and date that can never be duplicated in the same way.Professionally designed First Day Covers can be purchased from stamp dealers.

Some collectors prefer to design their own covers. Either way, First Day Coversare a great way to learn more about stamps and expand your collection.

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Cachet designedexclusively foreach differentFirst Day Cover

Official postmark ofthe post office

designated to issuethe stamp first

Official “First Day of Issue”Cancellation Mark

U.S.PostageStamp

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Measuring PerforationsYou may find you have some older U.S.

stamps that look exactly alike. Measuringperforations can help you identify yourstamps. A perforation gauge (shown here)measures the number of perfora-tions in the space of 2 centimeters.Always measure the horizontal

(top or bottom) perforations ofyour stamps first, then the vertical (opposite sides). Makesure the circles on your perfora-tion gauge fit perfectly into your stamp’s perforations. If two “look-alike” stamps have the same design, color, and perforationmeasurement, you may also need to watermark them for correct identification.

Single Line WatermarkDouble Line Watermark

Actual SizeDouble LineWatermark

WatermarksSometimes the only difference between stamps that look alike is their watermark.

Watermarks are letters or patterns impressed into the paper used to produce certainstamps. Modern U.S. stamps don’t have watermarks, but many older ones do, in theshape of a single line or double line U, S, or P. See illustrations below.

To see if your stamp has a watermark, place it face down in a watermark tray,and pour enough watermark fluid over it to cover completely. (Never use water.)The watermark should be visible; how well it shows varies with the stamp. Youmay not see a whole letter or design, but only part of one. Let your stamp drycompletely before removing it from the tray. U.S. watermarks are always letterslike those shown. (Many foreign stamps have watermarks in the shape of a crownor other symbol alone or in addition to letters.) See page 16 for information onwatermarking tools.

Both watermarks are spread over the entire sheet of stamps.

How to Identify Your U.S. StampsThe chief reward of collecting stamps is discovering the fun, relaxation, and

thrill of acquiring the stamps you love best! Knowing the basics of identifyingyour stamps will add to your enjoyment. Two stamps can look the same, andyet are different issues with different Scott numbers and values.

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Used and Mint StampsA used stamp has been used for postage. It has a cancellation on it, and

usually the gum is missing. A mint stamp is in good condition. It has not beenused, so it has no cancellation. Except for very old unused U.S. stamps (and afew stamps issued without gum), a mint stamp will have gum. It may have ahinge mark because it was previously mounted in someone’s stamp album.(Hinges are one way collectors use to attach stamps to album pages.)

Sheets, Coils, and Booklet Stamps(Water activated or “lick and stick”)Some modern stamp designs look the same, but have been issued for

different purposes. The only difference when you look at them may be thenumber of sides with perforations.A sheet stamp has perforations on all four sides.Coil stamps are issued in long strips for use in vending machines. They

have straight edges on opposite sides and perforations on the other two sides.Booklet stamps come from a small pane or block of stamps – part of a

booklet sold at post offices or in vending machines. These stamps can havestraight edges on one, two, or three sides.

Self-Adhesive StampsSelf-adhesive stamps are issued on a special backing paper.

Once peeled off the backing, the adhesive allows the stamps tobe affixed without being moistened. If you want to put mintself-adhesive stamps in your collection, don’t remove the backing paper! See page 17 to learn how to remove used self-adhesive stamps from your mail.Most U.S. stamps issued today are self-adhesive. They have

wavy, “serpentine” perforations or no perforations at all. Infact, self-adhesive stamps don’t always “follow the rules” of water-activatedstamps. For example, a self-adhesive booklet stamp may have perforations onall sides or no perforations at all.

For more information on stamp identification, see page 13 and our website at MysticStamp.com

booklet stamps

2886self-adhesivebooklet stamp

2881sheet

2889coil

2883 2884

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How to Organize and Care for Your CollectionAn important and fun challenge for every stamp collector is the protection

and display of your collection. Most stamp collectors not only accumulatestamps, but also enjoy arranging them in an attractive, organized way for easyviewing. By doing this, you’ll not only have a collection to be proud of, butyou’ll also be protecting your stamps from damage.You can organize your stamps any way you want. Many collectors organize by

country (U.S., Spain), by region of the world (Europe, Asia), or topic (animals,space). Just remember, this is your little corner of the world – you’re in control.Please yourself!

Choosing a Stamp AlbumA frequently asked collecting question is, “How do I choose a stamp album?”

To help you make this important decision we’ve put together the chart below.(If you’re a beginner, you may want to simply use blank paper and a three-ringbinder.) Most collectors of U.S. stamps start with and continue to use an illustratedalbum. It makes collecting easier once you have more stamps. If you’re a collectorof worldwide stamps, you may find it beneficial to use an unillustrated albumbecause there are no worldwide albums that illustrate all stamps issued. Anotherbenefit of an unillustrated album is that it lets you arrange your stamps in theway most pleasing to you. For a topical collection, a looseleaf binder with blankpages or a stockbook is a good choice. Mystic Quick-Mount pages have a gridpattern that helps you place your stamps easily.

*Because this album is un-illustrated, we suggest using Quick-Mount Pages printed on two sideswhen you need to expand your album. (Order #GS530).

** This is a Mystic-made supplement. Manufacturer’s supplements are more expensive.

Album

Order Num

ber

U.S. STAMP ALBUMS

Stay-flat

Binder

Scott Num

bers

Listed

Historical

Information

Mount Stamps

One Side Only

All Stamps

Illustrated

# Spaces for

Stamps

High-Quality

Paper

Mystic Heirloom(3-volume set) Yes Yes Extensive Yes Yes 4,600 Yes DS112

Mystic HeirloomHingeless Album

1847-1946Yes Yes Extensive Yes Yes Over

700ExtraHeavy

DS110

Scott Minuteman Yes Yes Brief Yes – Over4,000 – DS123

Harris Liberty – – Brief Yes Yes 2,900 – –**

WORLDWIDE

Mystic Voyager(2-Volume Set) Yes – – – – 25,000 – DS380

Harris Worldwide – – Brief – – over25,000 – –

CWS Phoenix Yes – – – – over12,000 – DS940

*

16

Basic Tools of the Stamp CollectorHandling stamps with your fingers is risky business. Each time you hold a

stamp between your fingers you’re subjecting it to oils and dirt, plus the possibilityof accidental folding or creasing. For that reason, you should invest in a goodpair of tongs. There are many types to choose from, but generally beginnersare better off with a short, rounded-tip model. It’s important to know that regulartweezers should not be used, as the sharp, angled tips could damage yourstamps. (Order #LS150 4 1/2” Round-Tip Tongs)(Order #LS155 Gold-Plated 6” Professional Tongs – Pointed)

Hinges are a popular way to hold stamps in place on album pages. Pre-foldedstamp hinges are easy to use, inexpensive, and suitable for many postally usedstamps. For mint stamps, collectors often prefer stamp mounts. (See pages18-19 for more information on stamp hinges and mounts). (Order #LS120 1,000 Pre-folded Hinges or #LS121 5,000 Pre-folded Hinges)

A really inexpensive but important tool is the perforation gauge. Thismeasures the number of “perfs” per two centimeters on any stamp. With somelook-alike stamps, this is the only way to tell them apart. For more informationon perforations, see page 13. (Order #LS130 Perforation Gauge)

It doesn’t take long to realize that a tiny variation in design can mean thedifference between a common stamp and a rare one. For this reason, you’llwant to own a magnifying glass. To use a hand-held glass, hold it betweenyour thumb and forefinger, resting two fingers on a hard surface. This letsyou freely move the glass, but keeps it steady at the proper level for lookingat the stamp. Keep the glass at an even height so it’s in focus, and lookthrough the glass with both eyes. Do not squint or close one eye. (Order #LS161 2 1/2 inch 3X Power Magnifier)

If you collect older issues, you may want to watermark your stamps. You’llneed a small watermark tray and a bottle of watermark fluid. Place yourstamp face down in the tray, and pour just enough fluid over it to cover. Thewatermark then shows up as a dark design on the stamp back. Never use wateron a gummed stamp to detect a watermark as that will remove its gum! Seemore information on watermarks on page 13.(Order #LS100 Watermark Tray and LS110 Watermark Detector fluid (4 oz.)

This is just a partial listing of supplies that are available to help you enjoycollecting and get more out of your hobby. You can find all of them listed inMystic’s U.S. Stamp Catalog, along with other helpful items. It’s easy to order your stamp collecting supplies by mail, phone, or using our website atMysticStamp.com. See page 20.Page 22 of this guide tells you how to get Mystic’s U.S. Stamp Catalog. All

the stamps are illustrated in full color so you’ll know what they look like –even the rare ones. You’ll also find behind-the-scenes stamp stories as well asall kinds of helpful stamp information. And it’s absolutely FREE to you as aMystic Customer!

17

How To Soak Your Stamps1. For water-activated stamps, place 3-4 inches of cold water in a sink or other container.

Do not use hot or warm water – some ink or envelope colors will run in warmer water.

1a. Self-adhesive stamps will not soak off in cold water. Room temperature water is bestfor self-adhesives.*

2. Be sure to separate any stamps with heavy black or red cancellationsalong with those attached to bright or dark-colored paper.Because the inks and dyes may bleed, these stamps must besoaked individually and removed from the water promptly.

3. Place the stamps face down in the water. It’s possible to put asmany as 50 stamps in the water at once. If you’re soaking sheetsyou can soak 20-25 at once, but place them in the water one at atime, making sure each one becomes thoroughly wet beforeadding the next one.

4. Spread the stamps out and gently press them into the water sothat it will soak through the paper. Leave them to soak for at least 10 to 15 minutes –time will vary due to the differences in stamp gum.**

5. After 10 minutes or so, check the stamps. The gum should have loosened and thestamps started to float off. Some stamps will sink and some will float. It is veryimportant to remove the stamps promptly after they have come off the paper. If left inthe water for a prolonged period of time the stamp paper may begin to weaken.

5a. Self-adhesive stamps may not float off the backing paper by themselves. However,they will slide off easily with a little help from you.

6. Gently remove the paper and look at both sides to make sure no stamps are stuck to it.

7. After you have removed all the paper from the water, most of the stamps will be at thebottom of the sink or container. Discard the blank scraps of paper.

8. Gently run your fingers along the bottom and come up under the stamps, catchingthem in a net fashion. Place these stamps in rows, face down, on blotters (waxedpaper, white construction paper, paper towels or any other white, unprinted paper surface) being careful not to overlap them. (Overlapping stamps could cause them topermanently stick to each other, thus destroying them.)

9. Placing a heavy object like a book on top of the stacked layers of paper and stamps willhelp keep your stamps from curling. It will take a lot longer for the stamps to dry.

10. When this batch of stamps is done, start over with a fresh container of water.

Note: To remove paper from a sheet or strip of stamps, the entire item must be soaked. If thestamps have water-activated gum they will remain attached to one another after soaking. Ifthey have self-adhesive gum they cannot be soaked if you want to keep the sheet or stripintact. Soaking a self-adhesive sheet or attached strip will result in single stamps.

*Even on an envelope, self-adhesive stamps can be distinguished by examining the perforations. Self-adhesive perforations are generally smooth and “wavy” and donot appear to have been torn apart. A self-adhesive stamp which has not beencanceled (used) should not be removed from its backing paper.

**Self-adhesive stamps need to soak longer (up to 50% longer) than water-activated stamps. Be patient and you’ll have success! (See page 14 for moreinformation on self-adhesive stamps.)

Example of astamp that needsto be soaked

18

Once you’ve chosen an album, you’ll need either hinges or mounts to hold your stamps inplace. Pre-folded stamp hinges are transparent, gummed pieces of paper. The small side of thehinge is attached to the stamp and the larger side to the album page. Hinges are fine for usedstamps. If you collect mint stamps, you may want to use mounts. Mounts provide a black or clearbackground and a clear face to show off your collection to its best advantage. They protect yourstamps without damaging the gum. Illustrations below show how to use hinges and mounts.

Mounts are sold according to size in millimeters. The first number is the horizontal measure-ment, or width, across the mount. The second number is the vertical measurement, or height, ofthe mount. Example: A 45 x 30 mount measures 45mm wide by 30mm high. See page 19.

Selvage is a small piece of paper attached to the edge(s) of a stamp, which is left over whenstamps are separated from the sheets they’re printed in. You may fold selvage under the stamp andleave it if it is a very narrow strip, but your stamp will fit into the mount better if you remove it.1. Work at a table, not in your lap. 2. Fold the selvage toward the printed side of stamp, thenback toward the gummed side, then back and forth sev-eral times until the paper becomes weak. The amountof folding necessary varies. After 1960, stamp paper is

stronger than that of older stamps and requires morefolding (for self-adhesives, fold to back only).

3. Hold stamp firmly against table gum-side down andcarefully pull on selvage to separate the two pieces.Follow the same steps for stamps you need to separate.

How to Remove Selvage from Your Stamps

1. Lightly moisten lower half of short flap. (Do not moisten near fold.)2. Press hinge onto back of stamp near the top.3. Now, moisten 1/2 of long flap. (Do not moisten near fold.)4. Attach a used stamp to page by pressing stamp at hinge. Attach amint stamp, by pressing the hinge to the page. This way, any excessmoisture will not damage your mint stamp.

Drop-End Mounts Split Back Mounts

1. Locate mount’s dull side.2. Insert stamp into mount to make sure it’s the propersize, with stamp’s back facing the dull side. Seam ofmount should be at the bottom.

3. Remove stamp.4. Lightly moisten entire dull side of mount.5. Place in proper position on page.6. Re-insert stamp.

1. Turn stamp over to back side.2. Gently place stamp into one half of mount as far as itwill easily go.

3. Allow mount to flap back into place over the stamp.4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with other half of mount. (Thestamp is now securely centered and can be removedwithout damage to stamp or mount.)

5. Moisten top half lightly, staying away from opening,and place in album.

without selvagewith selvage

hinge

Note: Consider “dry” mounting your stamps first so you’re assured of a good fit and placement. Do this before lightlymoistening mount and placing in album.

How to Use Hinges and Mounts

How to Hinge Your Stamps

How to Choose Mounts

Hinges allow front and back viewing of stamp with minimum damage to stamp’s original adhesive. If you want to removea hinge, wait until it is thoroughly dry – at least 4 hours. Otherwise you may damage the stamp and/or album page.

19

Several common sizes of U.S. stamps with water-activated gum are pictured below with theappropriate size mounts. To find the mount size you need, place your water-activated stamp overthe stamps pictured.

To find other mount sizes you may need, measure your stamps in millimeters. The correct mountsize depends on the height of your stamp. For example, a stamp measuring 36 millimeters in heightfits a 36-millimeter mount. If your stamp falls between two sizes, select the larger mount size.

For self-adhesive-gum stamps on backing paper, add 6 or 7mm to each dimension to get themount measurement. (A larger mount is needed to accommodate the thickness of the backingpaper.) Example: A 25mm by 40mm self-adhesive-gum stamp on backing paper would fit in a32mm by 47mm mount.

Call Mystic to order these mounts and for help in choosing the mounts you need.

The Most Common Mount Sizes

Horizontal CommemorativesMM501

Vertical CommemorativesMM502

Famous AmericansMM507

Vertical JumboMM509

Vertical Semi JumboMM506

Horizontal Semi JumboMM505

Horizontal DefinitivesMM504

Vertical DefinitivesMM503

Horizontal JumboMM508

20

Mystic Stamp Company Can Help Your Collection GrowLocated in Camden, New York, Mystic Stamp Company has been serving

stamp collectors across America since 1923! President Donald Sundman and 150dedicated stamp people offer you many ways to enjoy your hobby.

1. FREE Mystic U.S. Stamp Catalog... a complete, fact-filled guide to helpyou make the most of your collection. Printed in color to show off our

beautiful U.S. stamps, it contains prices, fun and interesting facts about differentstamps, and a list of all the latest supplies you need to enjoy your stamps.Request your free catalog when placing an order, with your approval selection,or contact our Customer Service Department. You can also visit our website atMysticStamp.com. (See page 23 for more details.)

2. FREE At-Home Examination Service… Mystic offers a “see-before-you-buy” service for collectors who wish to receive stamps “on approval.”

Selections are mailed to your door; you may purchase all, part, or none of theselection, returning the items not purchased. And you have up to 21 days afterreceiving the stamps to make your decision! (See page 21 for more details.)

3. Fast, Convenient Service… by using Mystic’s convenient mail order service,you get fast, personal service right to your mailbox – without the hassles of

driving, parking, or lack of time. You always make up your own mind, and shopthe hours YOU choose!

4. Guaranteed Satisfaction… all stamps and supplies ordered from Mystic arebacked by a money-back guarantee of satisfaction. If you aren’t completely

satisfied with any stamp or collecting supply ordered from Mystic, simplyreturn it to us within 90 days. We will gladly issue you a credit voucher orrefund your money, whichever you prefer.

5. Profit Shares… for each dollar you spend at Mystic, you receive 10 valuableProfit Shares. Save your Shares and trade them for merchandise and supplies

from our Profit Share lists. It’s a special bonus that helps stretch your hobbydollars! (See page 32 for more details.)

6. Customer Service… if you ever have a question, problem, or stampneed, you may write, call, e-mail, or FAX Mystic’s Customer Service

Department at:Mystic Stamp Company9700 Mill Street, Camden, NY 133161 (315) 245-26908:00 AM - 6:30 PM Eastern Time Monday-FridayTo order toll-free during these hours call 1 (800) 433-7811Toll-free FAX (anytime) 1 (800) 385-4919Send an e-mail to: info@MysticStamp.comOr order from MysticStamp.com

Need help? You’ll get prompt, friendly service from Mystic, so if there’sanything we can do to help, please let us know. Thank you for choosingMystic to help your hobby grow!

21

Have Fun with Mystic’s Free Approval Service

Your Very Own Stamp Advisor Selects Stamps Just For You!Wouldn’t it be great if you could have a friend in the stamp business to help

you get just the stamps you’re dreaming about? A friend who really listens toyou, knows what you want and can help you get it?

Well, you don’t have to imagine, because that’s exactly what you’ll get whenyou join Mystic’s At-home Approval Service. Your Personal Stamp Advisor willput Mystic’s team of experts and gigantic stamp inventory to work just for you.Best of all, you’ll save time and money with this free service!

Individual Service Makes Your Collection Grow FastSimply answer a few questions about your interests and your Personal Stamp

Advisor will hand-pick a special selection of stamps just for you. Examine thestamps for up to 21 days in the comfort of your own home, before you buy.

There’s never any pressure to buy, so you make your own decisions aboutwhat’s right for your collection. Of course, your Personal Stamp Advisor is justa phone call or e-mail away and ready to answer any questions you might have.

Once you’ve made your choices, simply return any unwanted stamps alongwith your payment for the stamps you want. You’ll receive another stamp selection in a few short weeks, so your collection will grow fast.

Mystic Approvals are fun, easy and hassle-free. There’s no membership duesor fees – just friendly individual attention, the convenience of shopping at homeand great collecting advice when you want it.

Put America’s #1 Stamp Dealer to Work for YouWe became America’s leading stamp dealer by providing quality stamps and

great value to our collector friends. And we’re ready to give you the same high-quality, custom-tailored service. You can speak with a friendly Personal StampAdvisor who knows you by name. Enjoy our free Approval Service today andsoon you’ll have:

• An easy way to make your stamp collection grow at your own pace• A brand new hand-picked stamp selection to examine every few weeks• 21 days to examine your stamps in the comfort of your home• Just the right stamps for your collection• The inventory of America’s leading stamp dealer at your disposal• Great value:

• Discounts for purchasing entire selections• Free Profit Shares redeemable for stamps and collecting supplies listed on Mystic’s Profit Share Lists

• Save time and money with Mystic’s at-home mail delivery

Call (315) 245-2690 for Mystic’s Approval Service or

E-mail approval@MysticStamp.com

22

Full-Color Mystic Catalogs – Get Them for FREE!Mystic’s Catalog of U.S. Stamps: Mystic produces a 140-page full-colorcatalog of United States stamps each year. Over 4,600 stamps are illustrated,many enlarged to show detail so you’ll know exactly what you’re ordering. It’s agreat way to see rare stamps you may never have seen before. Our big catalog isfilled with all kinds of fascinating behind-the-scenes stamp stories and hundredsof helpful collecting tips. Mystic’s U.S. Stamp Catalog is widely considered America’s best. In fact, we

were honored by the following comments by noted stamp expert Janet Klug*:

“It is...fun...peppered with stories, trivia, fascinating facts, and loads ofcolored pictures of mouth-watering stamps.”Every stamp listed in Mystic’s U.S. Stamp Catalog is totally free of defects,

according to Mystic’s strict grading standards. Stamps issued before 1941 willhave good or better centering for the issue and most will be hinged. After 1941,stamps will have fine or better centering for the issue and won’t be hinged.

Mystic’s Stamp Showcase: Our Showcase is the perfect tool for helping youbuild your dream collection. It’s full of premium-quality stamps, worldwide stampoffers, mint sets and more. You’ll find just the right stamps for your collection inMystic’s Stamp Showcase. (And it’s so much fun to read!)

Mystic’s Stamp Highlights: Discover the latest philatelic trends and money-saving discounts with Mystic’s Stamp Highlights. Mystic issues this little full-color catalog several times a year to showcase the newest and most up-to-datecollecting opportunities. You’ll enjoy browsing through this blend of new world-wide stamps, affordable topicals and other neat collectibles. You’ll even find tra-ditional U.S. stamps at substantial savings.

Fleetwood Catalog of Historic U.S. Covers, First Day Coversand Postal History: This catalog, also produced in full color, is brimmingwith First Day Covers from 1922 to the present. Plus you’ll find rare covers, spe-cial event covers, supplies, and money-saving sets. You’ll also discover rare cov-ers documenting important events – artifacts of the Civil War, Graf Zeppelin FirstFlight covers and much more.

Mystic Rare Stamps: Find rare stamps and covers – all individually pricedbased on condition, rarity and other important factors. Interest-free time paymentsavailable on orders of $500 or more, making it easier to build a top-notch collection.

Get any of these collection-building publications by contacting our CustomerService Department at the address or phone number on page 20.

* Janet Klug is a past president of the American Philatelic Society and a con-tributor to Linn’s Stamp News. Established in 1886, the APS is the world’s largestnon-profit society for stamp collectors. The APS offers a wide range of resourcesto assist stamp collectors. If you’d like to become a member of the APS, Mysticwill be glad to sponsor you. Just let us know.

23

Mystic’s Easy-to-Use Websiteand E-Mail Newsletter

Brings the Fun of Stamp Collecting To Your Computer!

The MysticStamp.com website is better than ever. It’s full of insiderinformation and collecting tips that are sure to make your hobby timemore fun. MysticStamp.com is a useful collecting resource you’ll findyourself visiting again and again.

Mystic’s New Website with Online U.S. Stamp CatalogIt’s easy to get the stamps you want quickly with Mystic’s new and

improved website. Mystic’s site is the best way to gain access to Mystic’svast inventory of U.S. and worldwide stamps. And you’ll want to checkoften – more stamp information and new offers are being added to thewebsite all the time.

Just go to MysticStamp.com to search by catalog number or key word.Or click on the link that says “Online U.S. Stamp Catalog” on the leftside to browse through pages like our paper catalog. Either way, you’llenjoy images of U.S. stamps plus get plenty of great stamp stories, collectortips and mount information – all with a click of your mouse.

When you’re done shopping, you’ll have a nice, neat list of all thestamps you’ve selected and the total of your purchases. Simply enteryour payment information and your stamps will be on their way (mostorders are shipped to you within 48 hours!)

MysticStamp.com is totally secure, so you can place your orderswith confidence. Shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week for almosteverything offered in Mystic’s catalogs, Showcases and circulars – evenmoney-saving special offers. Check it out and I know you’ll agree –MysticStamp.com is fun and convenient.

Get Our Informative Newsletter FREE!Mystic’s e-mail newsletters are a great way to get up-to-date information

about collecting, special money-saving offers, neat stamp stories andmuch more.

Go to MysticStamp.com and click on the “Receive E-mail Newsletter”tab to begin. And Mystic respects your privacy, so your e-mail address willnever be shared with other companies.

GLOSSARY OF STAMP COLLECTING TERMS

Adhesive: A gummed postage stamp intendedfor affixing on letters and other mail.

Airmails: Stamps issued specifically for useon airmail letters. Catalog Designation: C. Seepage 9.

American Bank Note Co.: Company print-ing U.S. stamps from 1879 until 1894 as well asthe 1940s Overrun Countries series and others.

Approvals: Stamps sent to collectors by dealersfor purchase or return after examination.(Mystic’s free at-home service is one of theeasiest, most convenient ways to build a greatcollection. And you get to pick and choosebefore you buy!)

Booklet: Pane ofstamps attached to acard cover which isbound together bystitching, staples, orglue.

Booklet Pane: Small stampsheets printed, cut, and soldin booklet form.

Block: Usually four stamps attached in ablock and referred to as a “block of four.”

Bureau of Engraving & Printing: Printerof nearly every U.S. stamp issued from 1894until 2005. The Bureau no longerprints postage stamps.

Cancellation: Mark on stampto show it has been postally used.

Centering: The way the design on a stamp ispositioned in relation to its margins. Seeabove.

Cinderella: A stamp-like label not valid forpostage. Some revenuestamps and old local poststamps are consideredCinderellas.

Coil: Stamps issued in rolls, rather thansheets. Coil stamps have straight edges on twoopposite sides.

Commemorative: Stamps honoring persons,events, or themes. Sold for a limited time only.See page 9.

Compound Perforations: More than onegauge of perforation on the same stamp, such as11 x 10. See page 13 for info on perforations.

Condition: Quality of a stamp regarding itscentering, color, gum, and if used or mint.

Continental Bank Note Co.: Companywhich held the contract for printing U.S.postage stamps from 1873 to 1879.

Controlled Mail: System where mail is sentbearing specific stamps, with the intention ofthe stamps being returned to sender.

Convertible Booklet: A small pane of self-adhesive stamps manufactured so it can befolded into a booklet.

C.T.O.: Canceled to Order stamps have beencancelled, but have not been through the mail.

Definitive: Regular-issue stamps producedfor several years. Usually smaller than com-memoratives and they may be re-issued.

Die: A small flat piece of soft steel used in theprinting of a stamp. The stamp design isengraved on the die, which in turn prints it onthe stamp.

Die Cut: Cut by a metal device to produce perforation-like wavy lines for separatingstamps. Self-adhesivestamps are die-cut.

Error: Stamp with amistake in color, perfo-rations, or design. Thisis Scott # 1204.

Throughout this guide, you’ll find many of the following terms. Knowing some-thing about them will be helpful as you begin your stamp collecting adventure.

AverageCentering Fine

Centering

Very FineCentering

24

Essay: Preliminary stamp design that is eithernot used, or is used with changes.

Europa: Stamps issuedby a group of Europeannations with a commondesign theme.

Face Value: Monetary value printed onstamp; the denomination. Sometimes stampshave no printed denomination. Face value isdetermined by postal authorities.

Farley’s Follies: In the 1930s, PostmasterGeneral James Farley created a scandal bygiving imperforate, ungummed versions ofnew stamps to his friends and family.

First Day Cover: Envelope bearing stampcanceled on the first day of issue. Most coversfrom 1935 on have a “cachet.” The cachet is adesign on the cover which relates to the topicof the stamp being issued. See page 12.

Flatbed Press: A printing press which uses aflat rather than a curved plate and is usually fedone sheet at a time.

Frank: To show that postage has been pre-paid, as with a stamp.

Freak: A stamp showing a pro-duction flaw which is not con-sistent – includes ink smudgesand off-center perforations.

Grill: Rows of pyramid-shapedembossing, impressed into theback of certain stamps. Grillsbroke stamp fibers, letting can-cellation ink sink in, making re-use of stamp impossible.

Gum: The adhesive used on stamps.

Gum Breaker: Colorlessridges across the adhesive on thebacks of stamps. “Breaks” theadhesive so stamps won’t curl.

Gum Skip: A portion of astamp, usually near the edge of apane where the gum has not beenapplied during production.

Gutter Pair: Pair of stampswith wide gutter between.The gutter also separatesstamp sheets into panes.Vertical gutter means gutter(not stamp) is vertical.

Hinge: Small gummed paper strip for mountinga stamp in an album. See page 18.

Hunting Permit Stamp: Issued yearly bythe U.S. government since 1934, these duckhunting permits also help finance the federalwaterfowl program. Catalog Designation: RW.See page 10.

Imperforate Stamp: A stamphaving no perforations. Individ-ual stamps must be cut from thesheet.

Invert: Stamp with a portion of the designprinted upside down. See pages 7-8.

Line Pair: Attached pairof stamps with a printedguideline running between.

Linerless Coil: Self-adhesive coil stamp issuedwithout backing paper.

Microprinting: Tiny print added to a stampdesign as a security measure.

Miniature Sheet: Sheet of 25 stamps orless, not issued for a specific commemorativepurpose.

Mint: In unused, original condition.

Mint Sheet: Sheet of stamps in uncanceledcondition.

Missionaries: The firstfour stamps of the HawaiianIslands. Extremely scarce.

Mount: Clear sleeve whichallows a stamp to be placedin an album without using ahinge. See pages 18 and 19.

National Bank Note Co.: Company whichheld the contract for printing U.S. stamps from1870 to 1873.

Official Stamps: Special adhesive stampsused by various departments of the govern-ment. Catalog Designation: O. See page 10.

Omnibus Issue: Stamps issued by severaldifferent countries commemo-rating the same event and oftenhaving similar designs.

Overprint: Stamp to whichprinting is added on top of theoriginal design.

25

Horizontal line pair

HawaiianMissionary Stamp

26

Pane: Stamps come off the press in largesheets known as press sheets. These are cutinto smaller sheets called panes, before beingsent to post offices for sale to the public.

Parcel Post Stamp: Special stamps issuedfor use only on parcels weighing more than 16ounces. Catalog Designation: Q. See page 10.

Paste-up Pair: A pair ofcoil stamps which shows theplace where two sheets ofstamps were pasted together.

Perfin: Stamps perforated byprivate firms, through the designportion, with initials.

Perforations: Small rows of“teeth” and the holes punchedbetween them to make sepa-rating stamps easier.

Perforation Number:The number of perforationsfound in a space of 2 centimeters.

Philately: The collection and study ofstamps, covers, and related postal material.

Pictorials: Issued in 1869, thesestamps were the first bi-colorU.S. stamps and the fore runnerto modern commemoratives.

Plate: Metal base used for printing stamps.

Plate Block: Block of 4or more stamps with theprinting plate number inthe margin.

Plate Number Strip:A strip of three orfive coil stampswith the middlestamp bearing aplate number.

Postage Due Stamps: Placed on mail to indi-cate not enough postage has been paid, thesestamps show how much is owed to the PostOffice. Catalog Designation: J. See page 10.

Postal Stationary: Envelopes, postal cards,and aerogrammes with stamps printed orembossed on them.

Postmark: Cancellation mark on mail showingdate and place of mailing.

Precancel: Stamp with the postmarkapplied before the actual mailing of the arti-cle it pre-pays.

Prestige Booklet: A stamp booklet withinformative text, issued for a specific com-memorative purpose.

Prexies: Popular term for the1938 Presidential Series, U.S.#803-34, #839-51.

Proof: Preliminary printingof a stamp to test color,design etc. Unlike an essay, proof designs areused on the finished stamps.

Regular Issue: Also known as a definitive,this stamp is issued over a long period of timeand in various denominations. Regular issuesare usually small in size. See page 9.

Revenue Stamps: Used to show that taxeswere paid on certain items. Catalog Designa-tion: R or R plus another letter. See page 10.

Rotary Press: A printing press that usescurved printing plates and a continuous roll ofpaper, called a web.

Selvage: The border of paper around a sheetor pane of stamps. See page 18.

Semi-Postal: Stamp with an additionalcharge (surcharge) to raise money for charity.Catalog Designation: B. See page 9.

Series: Stamps with a common theme whichmay be released and added to over a numberof years.

Serpentine: Wavy line im-pressed into paper betweenstamps in place of perfora-tions, allowing for separation.Used in self-adhesive stamps.

Transportation Series

#830

Set: Complete series issued at one time whichincludes all the values in the set.

Se-Tenant: Two or morestamps with differentdesigns or values printedtogether on the samesheet.

Sheet: Arrangement inwhich stamps come off aprinting press; commemo-rative stamps are usually printed in sheets of 200.

Self-Adhesive: Stamp issued on a specialbacking paper which, once peeled off, can beaffixed without being moistened. See page 14for more information.

Souvenir Sheet: A small sheet of stampsissued for a spe-cific commemora-tive purpose, withinscription or art-work in its border.Usually issued inconjunction with astamp show.

Special Delivery: Stamp which charges anextra fee for immediate delivery. Catalog Des-ignation: E. See page 10.

Specimen: Stamp which isoverprinted with the word“specimen” to prevent stamp’suse as postage. Specimens areused for reference.

Stock Book: A book whose pages have anumber of glassine strips forming pockets into

which stamps can be inserted for storage.

Strip: Three or more attached stamps in ahorizontal or vertical row.

Tagging: A chemical substance applied to astamp which activates automatic cancellationmachines.

Thin: An area where alayer of a stamp’s paperhas been removed, usu-ally on the back.

Tongs: Metal tweezer-like implements used tohandle stamps.

Topicals: Stamps which have a commontheme, such as animals, flowers, space etc.

Unused Stamps: Stamps which have never been used for postage, but may haveone or two small flaws. Mystic sells stampswith small flaws at a significant discount.

Used Stamps: Stamps which have beenused for postage on a letter or package.

Vignette: The cen-tral portion of astamp design.

Water-Activated:Stamp gum that needsmoistening in order toadhere to a surface.

Watermark: A pattern that is impressedinto paper during manufacture which helpsdiscourage counterfeiting of stamps. Seepage 13.

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AAV OPO TA: RussiaA. C. C. P.: AzerbaijanAÇORES: AzoresA. E. F. (overprint): FrenchEquatorial AfricaA´PTA: EpirusAFGHAN, AFGHANES: AfghanistanAFRICA CORREIOS: PortugueseAfricaAFRICA OCCIDENTIALESPANOLA: Spanish West AfricaAFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA:Italian East AfricaAFRIQUE EQUATORIALEFRANÇAISE: Middle Congo

AFRIQUE EQUATORIALEFRANÇAISE: (with bars) FrenchEquatorial AfricaAFRIQUE EQUATORIALE GABON:GabonAFRIQUE OCCIDENTALEFRANÇAISE: French West AfricaA.M.G.F.T.T. (overprint): TriesteA.M.G.V.G. (overprint): Italy, Alliedoccupation of Venezia GiuliaA M POST: Germany, areas underAllied military governmentANTIOQUIA: Colombia – AntioquiaA PAYER TE BETALEN: BelgiumARCHIPEL DES COMORES:Comoro Islands

A RECEBER: Portugal and Portuguese ColoniesARMY OFFICIAL: Great Britain orSudanASSISTENCIA D. L. no. 72(overprint): TimorATT, ATTS: SiamAUNUS (overprint): Russia, underFinnish occupationAUR: IcelandAUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY: Australia – AustralianAntarctic TerritoryAVISPORTO: Denmark

BB, in an oval (no country name):

Foreign Stamp IdentifierPick out a symbol or word on the stamp you want to identify. Find it in the index and learn

where your stamp is from. If you don’t find the first word try different ones until you find a wordthat is listed.

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Belgium, parcel post stampsBADEN: GermanyBAGHDAD (overprint):MesopotamiaBAHAWALPUR: Pakistan –BahawalpurBAHT: SiamBAJAR PORTO: IndonesiaBANI: RomaniaBARANYA (overprint): HungaryBARCELONA: SpainBARWANI: India – BarwaniBATCMSKAJ POCTA: BatumBAYERN, BAYR: BavariaB.C.O.F.: JapanB. DPTO ZELAYA: NicaraguaBELGIAN EAST AFRICA: Ruanda –UrundiBELGIE: BelgiumBELGIEN (overprint): BelgiumBELGIQUE: BelgiumBELGISCH CONGO: CongoBELIZE: British HondurasBENADIR: SomaliaBENIN: DahomeyBERLIN (overprint): GermanyBEYROUTH (overprint): RussiaBHOPAL: India – BhopalBIJAWAR: India – BijawarB.I.O.T. (overprint): British IndianOcean TerritoryVOSTCNAKORR´SPONA´NCIJ: RussiaBOFTGEBIET (overprint): LithuaniaBOHMEN UND MAHREN: Czechoslovakia – Bohemia andMoraviaBOLIVAR: Colombia – BolivarBOPHUTHATSWANA: South AfricaBOSNIEN-HERZEGOVINA: Bosniaand HerzegovinaBOYACA: Columbia - BoyacaBRIEFPOST: GermanyBRITISH NEW GUINEA: Papua andNew GuineaBRITISH OCCUPATION (overprint):BatumBRITISH SO. AFRICA COMPANY:RhodesiaBRUXELLES or BRUSSEL: BelgiumBUITEN BEZIT (overprint): DutchIndiesBUNDI: India - BundiBURKINA FASO: Upper VoltaBURUNDI: Ruanda-Urundi

CCABO: NicaraguaCABO JUBI, CABO JUBY: CapeJubySANATORNCMw: BulgariaCAMBODGE: CambodiaCAMBODIA: KampucheaCAVALLE: FranceC C C P: RussiaCECHY A MORAVA: Czechoslovakia– Bohemia and MoraviaCENTENAIRE ALGERIE: FranceCENTENAIRE DU GABON: FrenchEquatorial Africa

CESKO-SLOVENSKO: CzechoslovakiaC F A (overprint): Reunion C.G.H.S.: Upper SilesiaCH (followed by oriental characters):KoreaCHAMBA: India – ChambaCHARKHARI: India – CharkhariCHEMINS DE FER SPOORWEGEN:BelgiumCHIFFRE TAX (no country name) onperforated stamps: FranceCHINE: France – Offices in ChinaCIHS (handstamped): Upper SilesiaCISKEI: South AfricaCN: KoreaCOCHIN, COCHIN ANCHAL: IndiaCOLIS POSTAL or POSTAUX (nocountry name): BelgiumCOLONIA ERITREA: EritreaCOLONIES POSTES: FrenchColoniesCOMITE FRANÇAIS DE LA LIBERATION NATIONAL: FrenchColonies, general issueCOMMISSION DE GOUVERNEMENT HAUTE SILESIE: Upper SilesiaCOMORES: Comoro IslandsCOMPANHIA DE MOÇAMBIQUE:Mozambique CompanyCOMPANHIA DO NYASSA: NyssaCOMUNICAÇIONES: SpainCONFEDERATIO HELVETICA:SwitzerlandCONGO, with Portuguese inscriptions: Portuguese Congo;with BELGE: Belgian Congo, now Congo; with FRANÇAIS: FrenchCongo; with FRANÇAIS GABON:Gabon; with REPUBLIQUE DU:Congo or Middle CongoCOOK ISANDS – NIUE: NiueCOREE, COREAN: KoreaCORREIO: PortugalCORREO AERO (no country name):SpainCORREO ESPAÑOL TANGER:Spanish Morocco - TangierCORREOS DE COLOMBIA: ColombiaCORREOS NAÇIONALES: ColombiaCORREOS OAXACA: Mexico –OaxacaCORREOS Y TELEGs: SpainCORREO URBANO DE BOGOTA:Colombia – BogotaCÔTE DE SOMALIS or CÔTEFRANÇAIS DES SOMALIS: SomaliCoastCÔTE D’IVOIRE: Ivory CoastSRBSKA: SerbiaSRBEJA: SerbiaCRUZ ROJA HONDURENA:HondurasST, STOT, STOTENKE: BulgariaCURAÇAO: Netherlands AntillesC.X.C.: Jugoslavia

Dd: (pence), / (shilling or £ (pound)

preceded by a numeral, on stampwith king or queen’s head but nocountry name: Great BritainD: (dinar) on stamp with Arabic writing: PersiaDDR: German Democratic RepublicDEFICIT: PeruDELEGACOES: PortugalDEL GOLFO DE GUINEA: SpanishGuineaDEUTFCHES REICH: GermanyDEUTFCHOFTERREICH: AustriaDEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST: GermanyDEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHEREPUBLIK: German DemorcraticRepublic (East Germany)DEUTSCHE FELDPOST: GermanyDEUTSCH-NEU-GUINEA: NewBritainDEUTSCHE POFT OR POST: GermanyDEUTSCHE REICHS-POST: GermanyDEUTSCHES REICH: GermanyDHAR: India – DharDINAR or DINARS: Persia (Iran)DINERO: PeruDIOS, PATRIA, REY: SpainDJIBOUTI: Afars & IssasDJ or DJIBOUTI: Somali CoastDOPLATIT or DOPLATNE (nocountry name): CzechoslovakiaDRZAVA, DRZAVNA: JugoslaviaDUITSCH OOST AFRIKA BELGISCHE BEZETTING: (overprint): German East AfricaDUTTIA: India – Duttia

EEA (overprint): AlgeriaE. E. F.: PalestineEESTI: EstoniaEINZUZIEHEN: DanzigEIRE: IrelandEJERCITO RENOVADOR: MexicoΕΛΛΑC, ΕΛΛΑΣ: GreeceΕΛΛΗΝIΚΗ: GreeceEMPIRE FRANC: FranceEMPIRE FRANÇ or FRANÇAISE:France or French ColoniesEMP. OTTOMAN: Turkey or EasternRumeliaEQUATEUR: EcuadorE.R. (with Queen Elizabeth’s head):Great BritainESCUELAS: VenezuelaESPAÑA, ESPAÑOLA: SpainESPAÑA SAHARA: Spanish SaharaESTADO DA INDIA: PortugueseIndiaESTADO ESPAÑA: SpainÉTABLISSEMENTS DANS L’INDE(or DE L’INDE): French IndiaÉTABLISSEMENTS DE L’OCEANIE: French PolynesiaÉTAT DU CAMEROUN: CamerounÉTAT FRANÇAIS: FranceÉTAT IND. DU CONGO: CongoETIOPIA, ETHIOPIE, ETHIOPIENNES: Ethiopia (formerlyAbyssinia).

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ÉTS. FRANCS. DE L’OCEANIE:French PolynesiaΕΛΛΑC, ΕΛΛΑΣ: GreeceΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ: Greece

FFACTAJ (overprint): RomaniaFARIDKOT: India – FaridkotFDO. POO: Fernando PoFEDERATED MALAY STATES:MalayaFEDERATION DU MALI: MaliFEDERATION OF MALAYA: MalayaFELDPOST (overprint): GermanyFIERA DI TRIESTE (overprint): TriesteFILIPAS, FILIPINAS: PhilippinesFILLER: HungaryFIL (no country name): Iraq or JordanFN or FEN: ManchukuoFRANCO: Philippines or SpainFRANCOBOLO DI STATO: ItalyFRANK: AlbaniaFRANQUICIA: SpainFREIE STADT DAANZIG: DanzigFREISTAAT BAYERN (overprint):BavariaFRIMARKE: Denmark, Norway orSwedenFÜRSTENTUM or FVERSTENTUMLIECHTENSTEIN: Liechtenstein

GGARCH: Saudi ArabiaGARZON: Colombia – TolimaGENERAL GOUVERNEMENT:PolandGEORGIE, GEORGIENNE: GeorgiaGHADAMES: Libia, under FrenchoccupationGIORNALI STAMPE: SardiniaGOLFE DE BENIN: BeninGOYA: SpainGRAND COMORE: Grand ComoroGRAND LIBAN: LebanonGRØNLAND: GreenlandGROSSDEUTSCHES REICH: GermanyGROSSDEUTSCHES REICH GENERAL GOVERNEMENT: PolandGROUCH: TurkeyGUANACASTE: Costa RicaGUERCHE: Ethiopia or Saudi Ara-biaGUINE or GUINE PORTUGUESA:Portuguese GuineaGUINEA followed by CONTINENTAL,CORREOS or ESPAÑOLA: SpanishGuineaGUINEA ECUATORIAL: EquatorialGuineaGUINÉE or GUINÉE FRANÇAISE:French GuineaGUYANA: British GuianaGUYANE FRANÇAISE: FrenchGuianaGUY. FRANC. (overprint): FrenchGuianaGWALIOR: India – Gwalior

HHAUTE SILESIE: Upper SilesiaHAUTE VOLTA: Upper Volta

HAUT-SENEGAL-NIGER: UpperSenegal & NigerHEJAZ & NEJD, HEDJAZ & NEDJDE: Saudi ArabiaHELVETIA: SwitzerlandΗΟΒYΗΟΒYUT: MontenegroHOLKAR STATE: India – IndoreHRVATSKA: Jugoslavia or CroatiaHT.: Upper Senegal & NigerHYDERABAD: India – HyderabadΗΠΕIΡΟΣ: Epirus

IIDAR: India – IdarI.E.F.: (overprint): IndiaI. E. F. ‘D’ (overprint): MesopotamiaILES WALLIS ET FUTUNA: Wallis &Futuna IslandsIMPERIAL BRITISH EAST AFRICACOMPANY: British East AfricaINDE, INDIE: French IndiaINDIA with inscriptions in Portuguese or words REIS, REAL,TANGAS or RUPIA: PortugueseIndiaINDIA PORT. or PORTUGUSA: Por-tuguese IndiaINDO CHINE: Indo-ChinaINDONESIA not preceded by“REPUBLIK”: Dutch IndiesINDORE: India – IndoreINLAND: LiberiaINSTRUCAO (overprint): TimorINSTRUCCION: VenezuelaIRAN: PersiaIRANIENNES: PersiaIRAQ (overprint): MesopotamiaIRIAN BARAT: West New GuineaISLAND: IcelandISLAS GALAPAGOS: Ecuador –Galapagos IslandsITALIA, ITALIANE: ItalyITALIAN SOMALILAND: Somalia

JJAFFA (overprint): RussiaJAIPUR: India – JaipurJAMHURI ZANZIBAR TANZANIA:ZanzibarJAVA (overprint): Dutch IndiesJEEND STATE: India – JhindJIND, JHIND: India – JhindJOHOR JOHORE: Malaya – JohoreJUGOSΛAVEJA: Jugoslavia

KK (with no country name): Bosniaand HerzegovinaKAMERUN: CamerounKAMPUCHEA: CambodiaKAP: LatviaKARLFONDS: Austria or BosniaKARNTEN ABSTIMMUNG(overprint): AustriaKAROLINEN: Caroline IslandsKEDAH: Malaya – KedahKELANTAN: Malaya – KelantanKEMAHKOTAAN or KETAHKOTAAN: (overprint): Malaya– JohoreKENYA & UGANDA: Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania

KENYA UGANDA TANGANYIKA:Kenya, Uganda & TanzaniaK.G.C.A. (overprint): JugoslaviaK.G.L. or KONGELIGT: DanishWest Indies or DenmarkKIBRIS CUMHURIYETI: CyprusKIRIBATI: Gilbert IslandsKISHANGARH: India – KishengarhK.K. or KAISERLICHEKONIGLICHE ÖSTERREICHISCHEPOST: AustriaKLAIPEDA: MemelKON, KOP, KOE: Russia, SouthRussia, Far Eastern Republic, Finland, Latvia or BatumKOP: FinlandKORCA or KORCE: AlbaniaKORONA: HungaryKRAΛw´VSTVO S.X.S.:JugoslaviaKPALJEVSTVO (or KRALJEVINA)SRBA, HRVATA I SLOVENACA:JugoslaviaKPHTH: CreteKRAIb. UPHATOPA: MontenegroKRONE, KRONEN: AustriaK. U. K.: Austria, Bosnia andHerzegovinaK-U-K-MILITARPOST: Bosnia andHerzegovinaKURUS: TurkeyK. WURTT: Wurttemberg

LLA GEORGIE: GeorgiaLANDSTORMEN: SwedenLATTAQUIE (overprint): LatakiaLATVIJA, LATWIJA: LatviaLEI on Austrian stamps: RomaniaLESOTHO: BasutolandLEVA: BulgariaLEVANT: France – Offices in Turkey;(overprint) on stamps of Great Britain:Great Britain – Offices in Turkey; onstamps of Poland: Poland – Offices inTurkeyLIBAN, LIBANAISE: LebanonLIBIA, LIBYE: LibyaLIETUVA, LIETVOS: LithuaniaLIRE (overprint): Italy, under Austrian occupationLISBOA: PortugalL.L.L.R.: GeorgiaLÖSEN: SwedenL.P. (overprint): LatviaLUFTFELDPOST: Germany

MMACAU or MACAV: MacaoMADRID: SpainMAGYAR: HungaryMAGYARORSZAG: HungaryMALACCA: Malaya – MalaccaMALAGASY: MadagascarMALAYA with no further inscriptions, over portrait of Sultan:Malaya – Kelantan, Negri Sembilan,Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor orTrengganu; over picture of mosque:

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Selangor; over picture of StateArms: Negri SembilanMALAYAN POSTAL UNION: MalayaMALAYA PERLIS: Malaya – PerlisMALAYA SINGAPORE: SingaporeMALGACHE: MadagascarMAPKA: Russia, Finland or SerbiaMARK, MARKKAA: FinlandMAROC: French Morocco orMoroccoMAROCCO or MAROKKO (overprint): Germany – Offices inMoroccoMARRUECOS: Spanish Morocco orMorocco – Nothern ZoneM.B.D. (overprint): India – NandgaonMBRETNIJA SHQIPTARE: AlbaniaMEJICO: MexicoMEMELGEBIET: MemelMETELIN: (overprint): RussiaMEXICANO: MexicoMN: KoreaMOÇAMBIQUE: MozambiqueMONROVIA: LiberiaMOGA: UkraineMORROCCO AGENCIES: GreatBritain – Offices in MoroccoMORVI: India – MorviMQE: MartiniqueM.V.I.R. (overprint): Romania

NNABHA: India – NabhaNACIONES UNIDAS: UnitedNationsNAMIBIA: South West AfricaPARA PAR´: Montenegro or SerbiaNATIONS UNIES: United NationsN.C.E. (overprint): New CaledoniaN.D. HRVATSKA: CroatiaNED or NEDERLANDSEANTILLEN: Netherlands AntillesNED or NEDERLANDS NIEUWGUINEA: Dutch New GuineaNEDERLAND: NetherlandsNED-INDIE, NEDERL-INDIE, NED-ERLANDSCH-INDIE: Dutch IndiesNEGRI SEMBILAN: Malaya – NegriSembilanNEZAVISNA DRZAVA HRVATSKA:CroatiaNIEUW GUINEA: Dutch NewGuineaNIPPON: JapanNLLE. CALEDONIE: New CaledoniaNOPTO MAPKA: SerbiaNOREG, NORGE: NorwayNOUVELLE CALEDONIE: NewCaledoniaNOUVELLES HEBRIDES: NewHebridesNOWANUGGUR: IndiaNOWTA: SerbiaPOCTA: RussiaPOCT MARKA (no country name):AzerbaijanPOCTOVAJ MARKA: Finland, RussiaN. SEMBILAN: MalayaN.S.W.: New South WalesN.Z.: New Zealand

OOAXACA: Mexico – OaxacaOCCUPATION FRANÇAISE (overprint): HungaryOCEANIE: French PolynesiaOFFENTLIG SAK: NorwayOFF. SAK.: Norway, official stampsÖFTERREICH: AustriaOKCA: RussiaORANJE VRIJ STAAT: Orange River ColonyORCHA: India – OrchhaORE: Denmark, Sweden or NorwayORTS-POST: SwitzerlandO.S.: Norway (officials).ÖSTERREICH: AustriaÖSTERR-POST, OSTERREICHISCHEPOST: AustriaOUBANGUI-CHARI: UbangiΟΛΥΜ, ΟΛΥΜΠ, or ΟΛΥΜΠIΑΚΟI:Greece

PPAHANG: Malaya – PahangPAISA: NepalPAPUA: Papua & New GuineaPATIALA: India – PatialaPATMO or PATMOS (overprint):Italy–Aegean Islands–PatmoR.S.F.S.R.: RussiaPEN, PENNI, PENNIAS: FinlandPERAK: Malaya – PerakPERSANE: PersiaPERUANA: PeruPERV-AEREO: PeruPESA (overprint): German EastAfricaPESETAS: (no country name): SpainPFENNIG: Wurttemberg, Bavaria orGermanyPIASTER: Austria – Offices in Turkeyor Germany – Offices in TurkeyPIASTRA or PIASTRE (overprint) onstamps of Italy: Italy – Offices inCrete and in Turkey; on stamps ofGreat Britain: Great Britain – Officesin Turkey; on stamps of Russia: Rus-sia – Offices in Turkey; on stamps ofFrance: France – Offices in TurkeyPIASTRO (overprint): Italy – Officesin CretePIES: IndiaPICE: NepalP.M. (overprint): Italy, military stampsROSSIJ: Russia or South RussiaPOCZTA: PolandPOCZTA POLSKA: PolandPOLSKA: PolandPOLYNESIE FRANÇAISE: FrenchPolynesiaR.O.P.E.T. (overprint): UkrainePORTEADO: PortugalPORTE DE CONDUCCION: PeruPORTE DE MAR: MexicoPOSTAGE, POSTAGE & REVENUEwith denominations in d (pence)(shillings) or £ (pounds), and portraitsof a king or queen, but no countryname given; Great Britain: withdenominations in annas: India –

KishengarhPOSTES: Belgium, France, FrenchColonies or LuxembourgPOSTES CENTIME with numeral incenter of stamp covered by a network of colored lines: France –Alsace and Lorraine, under GermanoccupationPOSTES followed by EGYPTIENNES:Egypt or United Arab Republic; byHEDJAZ and NEJDE: Saudi Arabia;by OTTOMANES: Turkey orMesopotamia; by picture of crescent:AfghanistanPOSTES PERSANES: PersiaPOSTE VATICANE: Vatican CityPOSTGEBIET OB. OFT. (overprint):Lithuania, under German occupationPOST STAMP, POST & RECEIPTwith values in annas: India – HyderadadPOSTZEGEL (no country name):NetherlandsPRINCE FAROUK: EgyptPRINCIPAUTÉ DE MONACO:MonacoPRO TACNA Y ARICA: PeruPROTECTORAT FRANÇAIS (overprint): French MoroccoPTO. RICO, PUERTO RICO: PuertoRicoPUTTIALA (overprint): India –PatialaPYB or Pyb: Russia, South Russiaor Finland

QQUINDAR, QUINTAR: Albania

RRAJASTHAN (overprint): India –RajasthanRARATONGA: Cook IslandsRECARGO: SpainREICH, REICHSPOST: GermanyREIS (no country name): PortugalREP. DI S. MARINO: San MarinoREPOBLIKA MALAGASY: MadagascarREPUBBLICA ITALIANA: ItalyREPUBBLICA SOCIALE ITALIANA:Italy – Italian Social RepublicREPUB. FRANC. or REPUBLIQUEFRANÇAISE: France or FrenchColoniesREPUBLICA DE GUINEA ECUATORIAL: Equatorial GuineaREPUBLICA DOMINICANA:Dominican RepublicREPUBLICA ESPANOLA: SpainREPUBLICA MOCAMBIQUE (overprint): MozambiqueREPUBLICA ORIENTAL: UruguayREPUBLICA PERUANA: PeruREPUBLICA POPULARAROMINA: RomaniaREPUBLICA PORTUGUESA: PortugalREPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA:South AfricaREPUBLIK INDONESIA SERIKAT:Indonesia

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REPUBLIQUE ARABE UNIE: UnitedArab RepublicREPUBLIQUE AUTONOME DUTOGO: TogoREPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE:Central African RepublicREPUBLIQUE d’AZERBAIJAN:AzerbaijanREPUBLIQUE DE CÔTE D’VOIRE:Ivory CoastREPUBLIQUE DE GUINÉE: GuineaREPUBLIQUE DE HAUTE VOLTA:Upper VoltaREPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUEDU CONGO: CongoREPUBLIQUE D’HAITI: HaitiREPUBLIQUE DE CONGO: Congoor Congo RepublicREPUBLIQUE DU DAHOMEY:DahomeyREPUBLIQUE DU MALI: MaliREPUBLIQUE DU NIGER: NigerREPUBLIQUE DU SENEGAL:SenegalREPUBLIQUE DU TCHAD: ChadREPUBLIQUED DU TOGO: TogoREPUBLIQUE GABONAISE: GabonREPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE DEMAURITANIE: MauritaniaREPUBLIQUE LIBANAISE:LebanonREPUBLIQUE MALGACHE: Madagascar (Malagasy).REPUBLIQUE RWANDAISE:RwandaREPUBLIQUE TOGOLAISE: TogoREPUBLIQUE TUNISIENNE:TunisiaR.F. (no country name): FranceRHEINLAND-PFALZ: Germany –Rhine Palatinate, under militaryoccupationRIAL or RIALS: PersiaRIAU (overprint): IndonesiaRIN, RN.: JapanR I S (overprint): IndonesiaRN or RIN: JapanROHANIA: RomaniaROMANA, ROMANIA, ROMINA:RomaniaROSS DEPENDENCY: New ZealandROYAUME DE L’ARABIE SAOUDITE: Saudi ArabiaROYAUME DE YEMEN: YemenROYAUME DU BURUNDI: BurundiROYAUME DU CAMBODGE: CambodiaROYAUME DU LAOS: LaosROYAUME DU MAROC: MoroccoRP: Liechtenstein or SwitzerlandR. P. ROMINA: RomaniaR.S.M.: San MarinoRWANDA: Ruanda-Urundi

SSAARE (overprint): SaarSAARGEBIET: SaarSAARLAND, SAARPOST: SaarSACHSEN: SaxonySAHARA ESPAÑOL or SAHARAOCCIDENTAL: Spanish Sahara

ST. CHRISTOPHER-NEVIS-ANGUILLA: St. Kitts-NevisS.A.K.: Saudi ArabiaSARKARI: India – SoruthSAURASHTRA or SOURRASHTRA:India – SoruthSEJM WILNIE: Central LithuaniaSELANGOR: Malaya – SelangorSEN: Japan or Ryukyu IslandsSERBIEN (overprint): SerbiaSERVICIO POSTAL MEXICANA:MexicoSEVILLA-BARCELONA: SpainSHQIPENIA, SHQIPENIE,SHQIPERIA, SHQIPERIJA,SHQIPERISE, SHQIPNI, SHQIPNIJA,SHQIPONIES: AlbaniaSICILIA: Two SiciliesSIEGE DE LA LIGUE ARABE:MoroccoSIRMOOR: India – SirmoorSKILLING: Denmark or NorwaySLOVENSKA POSTA or SLOVENSKO:Czechoslovakia – SlovakiaSLOVENSKO: Czechoslovakia –SlovakiaSLOVENSKY STAT,SLOVENSKENO (overprint):CzechoslovakiaS. MARINO: San MarinoSN: JapanSOL: PeruSOLDI: Austria – Lombardy-VenetiaSOLIDARITE FRANÇAISE: FrenchColonies, general issueSOMALIA ITALIANA: Italian SomalilandSONORA: MexicoSORUTH: India – SoruthSOUDAN (overprint): SudanSOUDAN FRANÇAIS: French SudanSOURASHTRA: India – SoruthSPANISH WESTERN SAHARA:Spanish SaharaS.Q. TRSTA-VUJA: TriesteSRI LANKA: CeylonSRODKOWA LITVA: Central LithuaniaST or STG: SiamSTATE OF SINGAPORE: SingaporeS. THOME (or TOME) E PRINCIPE:St. Thomas & Prince IslandsSTOTHHKH: BulgariaS.T. TRSTA-VUJA: TriesteSTT VUJA or VUJNA: Trieste; (over-print): TriesteSUIDAFRIKA: South AfricaSUIDWES AFRIKA: South-West AfricaSUOMI: FinlandSURINAME: SurinamSVERIGE: SwedenS. W. A. (overprint): South West AfricaSYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC: SyriaSYRIE, SYRIENNE: Syria

TTAKCA: BulgariaTAKSE: AlbaniaTANGANYIKA KENYA UGANDA:Kenya, Uganda & TanzaniaTANGER with “Correo Espanol”:Spanish Morocco – Tangier; (overprint)on postage due stamps of France:

French Morocco, postage duestamps; on stamps of Spain: SpanishMorocco – TangierTANGIER: Great Britain – Offices inMoroccoTANZANIA, UGANDA, KENYA:Kenya, Uganda & TanzaniaTAXA DE GUERRA with values inAVOS: Macao; with values in O$:Portuguese Africa; with values inRP: Portuguese India; with values inREIS: Portuguese GuineaT.C.E.K.: TurkeyTCHAD: ChadT. C. POSTALARI: TurkeyTE BETALEN: Netherlands, DutchIndies, Netherlands Antilles or Surinam; also preceded by “A PAYER”: BelgiumTERRITOIRE DE IFNI (overprint): IfniTERRITOIRE DU NIGER: NigerTERRITORIO DE IFNI (ESPAÑA): IfniTERRITORIO DEL AFRICA OCCIDENTAL ESPAÑOL: SpanishWest AfricaTERRITORIOS (or TERRS.)ESPAÑOLES DEL GOLFO DEGUINEA: Spanish GuineaTETUAN: Spanish Morocco – TetuanTHAILAND or THAI: SiamTHRACE INTERALLIEE orTHRACE OCCIDENTALE (over-print): ThraceTIMBRE INMPERIAL JOURNAUX:FranceTIMBRE POSTE (overprint): FrenchMoroccoTJENESTE-FRIMARKE: DenmarkTJENESTEFRIMERKE: NorwayTOGA: TongaTOLIMA: Colombia – TolimaTOUVA: Tannu TuvaTRANS-JORDAN: JordanTRANSKEI: South AfricaTRENGGANU: Malaya – TrengganuTRIPOLI: Tripolitania; preceded by“FIERA CAMPIONARI”: LibyaT. Ta. C.: TurkeyTUNIS, TUNISIE: TunisiaTURKIYE CUMHURIYETI POSTALARI: TurkeyTURKIYE, TURK POSTALARI:TurkeyTUVALU: Ellice Islands

UPARSTVO: BulgariaPARSTVObwΛGAREJ: BulgariaU.A.R.: United Arab RepublicUNION OF SOUTH AFRICA: SouthAfricaUNITED REPUBLIC OF TAN-GANYIKA & ZANZIBAR: TanzaniaUNTEA (overprint): West New GuineaPRGA GORA: Montenegro, under Italian administration

VVALLES D’ANDORRE: AndorraVATHY: France – Offices in TurkeyVATICANE: Vatican City

VENDA: South AfricaVENEZ. VENEZOLANA, VENEZOLANO: VenezuelaVIET-NAM CONG-HOA: Viet NamVUJA STT or VUJNA STT: Trieste;(overprint) on stamps of Jugoslavia:Trieste

WWEST IRIAN: West New GuineaWESTERN SAMOA: SamoaWN: Korea

XXARTO NMOE: Greece

X´J´RA: MontenegroX´Λ´RA: MontenegroXII CAMPIONARIA TRIPOLI: Libya

YYCA (overprint): Peru – YcaY. C. C. P.: UkraineYCCP (overprint): UkraineYCTAB: MontenegroYEN, YN.: Japan, Manchukuo orRyukyu IslandsUKRAINSwKA: Ukraine

ZZ. AFR. REPUBLIEK, ZUIDAFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK:

TransvaalZAIRE: Belgian CongoZAMBIA: Northern RhodesiaZEGELREGT: TransvaalZELAYA: Nicaragua – ZelayaZENTRALER KURIERDIENST: Ger-manyZIMBABWE: Southern RhodesiaZONA PROTECTORADOESPAÑOL (overprint): SpanishMoroccoZONE FRANCAISE: Germany,under French occupationZRACNA POSTA: TriesteZUIDWEST AFRIKA: South West Africa

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