Frequently Asked Questions

History

Who invented the postage stamp? What country issued the first postage stamp and when?

Sir Rowland Hill is generally credited with the idea of requiring prepayment of postage and the use of postage stamps to show this payment. Previously the recipient of a letter had to pay for delivery and a large portion of the mail was refused. (Some people devised codes to convey messages on the outside of the letter so when the postman showed the letter to the intended recipient, the letter could be refused but the message was still received.) Hill advocated lowering the rates but requiring payment in advance. Great Britain issued the first postage stamps in 1840. Nicknamed the Penny Black, the stamps cost one penny and showed Queen Victoria. Although first to be issued, these stamps are not tremendously valuable as millions were used. Today a nice used copy can be obtained for around £100.

Fundamentals

Do self-adhesive stamps soak off?

In the past almost all stamps could be removed from the envelope by soaking in water for extended periods of time – about 20 minutes. However, Post Offices around the world have changed the printing specifications and most current self-adhesives will not simply soak off paper since their backing is oil based rather than water based. Therefore, an oil solvent is required to help remove the oil-based backing.

There is a great video on a few suggested oil solvents and tips for removing the self-adhesive stamps – How to Separate Self-Adhesive Stamps by Graham Beck.

What album would you recommend I purchase?

No single album is best for every collector. Many options exist ranging in price from under £20 to more than £1,000. And an album that may be best for you now might be inappropriate for you in ten years. Specific tips are provided in our the APS brochure Three Tips for Stamp Collectors: Soaking Stamps.

I have a postage stamp without any country’s name. How can I determine where it is from?

Only one country is permitted to issue postage stamps without including their name. This is Great Britain because it was the first country to issue postage stamps in 1840. In place of the country’s name, Great Britain is allowed to simply include an image of the ruling monarch (frequently in the upper right-hand corner of the stamp). Remember that many countries do not use English and thus you may not recognize the name. An on-line country stamp identifier is available on this website.

What’s the difference between a new unused stamp and a new unused stamp with some type of cancellation marks on the front? Are they both considered new unused for collection purposes?

A stamp with cancellation marks generally would not be considered unused even if it still has its gum. Cancelled to order (CTO) stamps have been postmarked even if they have not been used. Sometimes the cancels are applied as part of the printing process and in other cases simply by a philatelic bureau so they can be certain that a collector cannot subsequently use them for postage. While this almost always results in a nice clear cancel that does not obstruct the design, catalogues consider them used and most collectors consider cancelled to order stamps less desirable than postally used stamps.

What does F-VF mean?

Fine to Very Fine. The term is one of several grades generally used to refer to the stamp’s overall condition. Terminology can vary between dealers etc but a typical range is Poor, Average (Avg), Fine (F), Fine to Very Fine (F-VF), Very Fine (VF), Superb.

What is the difference between carmine and red? Are there any colour guides available to help me distinguish colours?

There are several colour guides available from dealers who sell supplies, but some catalogues use different names to refer to the same colours. Exposure to light may also cause stamps to fade. The best solution may be to try to make a reference collection of stamps with known colours. (Damaged stamps are fine.) However, in the end if the colour makes a significant difference in value you will probably need to get the stamp expertized. More information on having stamps expertized is available on the website of the Royal Philatelic Society London.

How can I tell the difference between stamps issued both with regular gum and as self-adhesives?

Assuming the stamps have been used and soaked off the paper, take a look at the perforations. When water-activated stamps are separated the perforations do not break perfectly evenly. Most self-adhesive stamps are die cut so all the perforations will be exactly the same shape.

I have a stamp without any perforations. Is this a valuable error?

Possibly, but not necessarily. Imperforate errors are known on a number of stamps and typically range in value from about £10 to £1,000. However, some stamps have been issued imperforate as part of a souvenir sheet and a stamp’s perforations may be trimmed off to make it appear that it is imperforate. Most stamp catalogues indicate whether a stamp should have perforations. Authentication may be needed to be certain you have an error stamp.

What is a watermark? How do I determine if a stamp has a watermark? Is it safe to use lighter fluid to detect a watermark?

Some paper is manufactured so that certain parts are intentionally slightly thinner than others. These thin parts form a pattern such as a country’s coat of arms or initials. Watermarked paper is one method to discourage counterfeiting of stamps. Sometimes the pattern can be seen by simply holding a stamp up to light as is normally the case for quality bond paper. Watermarks on stamps from Italy are among those most easily seen.

For stamps with tougher to see watermarks the most common method of detection is to use a fluid. The watermark should be easiest to see when the fluid first wets the stamp and when the stamp dries as the thinner portion of the stamp absorbs liquid quicker and dries quicker. Most commercial watermark fluids are toxic, flammable or contain hazardous materials that are only marginally safer than the traditional solvents such as lighter fluid and benzene. Recently, Clarity watermarking fluid was developed at the request of the American Philatelic Society to address these concerns and is available from many philatelic supply dealers.

What is a “cut square” or “cut-out”?

This term is normally used to refer to a corner cut from postal stationery (envelopes or cards with postal imprints). Many collectors in the early days found it easier to keep a 2″ x 4″ corner of the envelope with the imprint rather than the entire envelope, although modern postal stationery collectors wince at this practice! Some postmark collectors also save “cut squares” rather than the entire envelope.

What is an International Reply Coupon?

International Reply Coupons (IRCs) are a method to provide return postage to someone in another country. You can purchase a coupon from your post office and mail it to a person in another country who can then redeem it at their post office for postage to cover the basic international rate.

I found some old documents with stamps in our attic. Are they valuable?

What you have are probably revenue and not postage stamps. We recommend leaving these stamps on their original documents until you find out more about them. Specialised catalogues, available from many libraries, do list and value revenues. (In some countries the same stamps may be used for both revenue and postage purposes. Typically, such stamps used as revenues are less valuable than the same stamps used to pay postage.)

What is a cachet?

This is used to refer to two distinct things. In the UK a cachet (pronounced “kash-ay”) is a handstamp on a cover, typically giving imformation, and may be one used by the post office, or private. In the USA it is more likely to refer to a design on an envelope, usually on the left side, most commonly on first day covers. and typically are illustrations and or text relating to the subject of the stamp or event being commemorated.

What is a frank?

A frank is a marking on the face of an envelope indicating that postage has been paid or that the letter is to be carried free. Officials in many countries often had the right to free franking. More recently, individuals in the military have sometimes received free franking for mail during armed conflicts.

What is a grill?

A security measure applied to some U.S. stamps between 1867 and 1874, grills are a pattern of small, square pyramids in parallel rows impressed or embossed on the stamp to break paper fibres. Grills were intended to allow the cancellation ink to soak in to the stamp easier to make it harder for people to remove cancels.

What is selvedge?

The margin around the sheet of stamps. The selvedge may include the plate number, copyright, and other markings.

I was told my cover would be worth more if the stamp were tied. What does this mean?

A stamp is tied if a cancel or postmark lands partly on the stamp and partly on the envelope on which it was used. This provides a greater degree of confidence that the cover was not faked by adding one or more stamps to it.

How do I get my kids/grandkids interested in stamp collecting?

Share the fun of the hobby with them. Let them collect what they want and don’t impose a lot of rules. There is nothing wrong if they want to collect Cancelled to Order stamps because they are pretty (unless a significant amount of money is being paid for them). Thematics related to other interests attract many youth. The value of stamps usually has little relation to enjoyment. Don’t panic if a few stamps are ruined, most of us have made mistakes at one time or another and it is one of the best ways of learning. A number of youth related sites are listed on our Youth page.

May I photocopy or scan stamps?

For your own use, or for writing up your collection, or for an article in a stamp club magazine, this is unlikely to provoke any objections. However, as the images of many stamps are copyrighted, their use in commercial publications may be limited or require a licence or payment of a fee.

Who decides what stamps are issued? How can I request a stamp be issued for an event?

The Stamp Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Post Office for the final decision. Suggestions may be sent to Stamp Advisory Committee.

Is it legal to use old unused stamps?

This depends on the stamp. Many countries invalidate stamps after a certain period of time or for other reasons – for example UK non-barcoded definitive stamps are no longer valid for postage. (Commemorative stamps may be used as long as the face value is in decimal currency – so from 1971 onwards.)

(It is not legal to use stamps that were previously used even if the stamps did not receive a cancel.)

Buying/Obtaining Stamps

I would like to purchase a complete year set of stamps for my grandchild. How can I do this? My post office does not stock all new GB issues? How can I get them?

Most countries make available annual sets for purchase at the end of each year after all the country’s stamps for the year have been issued. In G.B. these are available at many larger post offices or can be ordered through the Royal Mail website.

However, if you are looking for a set from more than two or three years ago you will probably have to go through a stamp dealer. While purchasing such a collection may be a great way for your grandchild to learn about history, we do not recommend purchasing current stamps as an investment. Most G.B. stamps issued since 1971 sell today at or around their original face value.

How do I obtain a first day of issue cancel?

Purchase the stamp from your local post office. Place it on an envelope and mail the envelope inside another envelope to the Philatelic Bureau. Your cover must be received within 30 days of the date of issue of the stamp. You may wish to include card stock or something similar inside the cover to be serviced to reduce the chance of damage in the post. If you use a peelable address label, this may be removed when you get the cover back so that you have an “unaddressed” first day cover.

I am interested in collecting stamps of a specific topic. How do I find out what stamps exist?

For many of the most popular topics books have actually been written that provide lists of the stamps on the subject. Search the Global Philatelic Network for books and articles. The British Thematic Association also has information about all sorts of themes with more limited issues. Their contact information can be found on our list of societies. The list can also be checked for other specialized societies that focus on the stamps of a specific theme.

Inventorying/Valuing/Selling Stamps

What software exists to inventory stamp collections?

EzStamp is a leading program. Klect is a new online alternative.

I found several stamps in a chest of drawers that I bought. How can I find out if they are worth anything?

Most public libraries have a set of Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogues which lists and values postage stamps. Alternately a local dealer or society could probably give you an estimate of the stamps value.

Help! I just inherited a stamp collection. I’m not really interested in collecting or becoming a member, but I would still like to find out if it has any value and perhaps sell the collection. Can the ABPS offer me any assistance?

The ABPS (a non-profit, member-supported organization) does not offer valuations pf collections.

The Philatelic Traders’ Society will offer a selling/appraising suggestions, and the names and addresses of recognized professional dealers for people seeking an equitable offer for their material. Most of this information may also be found at various locations on their website.

I have some old stamps that I may be interested in selling. How do I go about this?

Consult with a dealer. Go to the website of the Philatelic Traders’ Society for more information.

If you are still concerned about receiving a fair price for your stamps you might consider visiting a local stamp fair (see our Events Calendar. This would provide you with the opportunity to offer the material to several dealers and compare how much they will pay. You also may wish to contact a local society where you might find help and advice.

Are used stamps of any value?

Yes – although in the vast majority of cases unused stamps sell for more, many collectors save used stamps and many of the most valuable stamps are used.

How can I find out the value of my collection of 22 carat gold stamps?

What you have are not actual postage stamps but stamp replicas. Because few stamp collectors are interested in these and there is not much of a resale market, stamp dealers are unlikely to pay much for such collections, and their price will depend on the bullion value.

I have some German stamps that say 1 Billion Marks. Are these valuable?

Generally higher denomination stamps are more valuable than stamps of a denomination used for an ordinary letter. For example, a used (or unused) GB ten shilling stamp is much more valuable than most penny stamps. However, during periods of great inflation, such as in Germany in 1923, postage rates in those countries required the use of stamps with very high denominations to mail ordinary letters. Thus, these stamps have no great value (and actually are worth more properly used on a cover during the period of use than mint).

Advanced Information

Where would I look for information about quantities printed of any worldwide stamp?

There is no single reference for quantities printed of all worldwide stamps. However, the information is often available if you know where to look. Advance publicity provided by some countries includes the intended print quantities. Outside of information provided by the government or postal administration, you will probably have to look to specialized catalogues. The Global Philatelic Network has a catalogue of over 25,000 books is searchable online.

How can I find out what the postage rate was in 1900?

Domestic UK postal rates and many overseas rates are included on the website of the Great Britain Philatelic Society and in specialist books.

I have an envelope with a T inside a hexagon? What does this mean?

This is probably an insufficiently paid envelope sent between two countries. The T is the international symbol for postage due with “T” as the abbreviation for the French word “Taxe.” The amount due is usually expressed in “gold centimes” and double this amount converted to the recipient country’s currency.

Trivia

What are the rarest or most expensive stamps?

There are more than ten stamps of which only one example is known. And while rarity is one factor in determining value, the pedigree or history behind the stamp often is more important. Some of the most famous and valuable philatelic items include:

Is there significance to a stamp being placed upside down on an envelope?

Maybe … One reason for the requirement of prepaying postage was that many individuals developed elaborate codes to convey messages that could be transmitted by seeing the outside of the envelope and thus not requiring payment for the receipt of the letter. According to The American Philatelist, February 1985, p154 the following codes were used (assuming the person was not just in a hurry and was not in need of glasses):

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