Even more info about collecting US stamps!
Proofs are preliminary impressions of a stamp that are produced during the design and printing process. They are used to test colors, designs, and printing plates before the final production run begins. Because they were never meant to be used for postage, proofs are typically found in pristine condition, making them highly desirable to collectors.
In stamp production, a “gutter” refers to the blank or unprinted space that appears between panes of stamps on a printed sheet. When two stamps are connected by this gutter, they form what is known as a gutter pair. If a group of four or more stamps is connected by this space, it is called a gutter block. A cross gutter block occurs when four panes of stamps are connected by two intersecting gutters, creating a block of stamps with a cross of unprinted space or additional design elements at its center.
Definitive stamps are the workhorses of the postal system. Unlike commemorative stamps, which are issued in limited quantities and for a short period, definitive stamps are produced in large numbers and are intended for everyday use. They are available for longer periods, often several years, and are reprinted as needed to meet demand.
Hunting permit stamps, also known as “duck stamps,” were first introduced in the United States in 1934 as a means of generating revenue for waterfowl conservation. The initiative was born out of necessity, as the early 20th century witnessed a dramatic decline in waterfowl populations due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting. The federal government stepped in, mandating that all waterfowl hunters over the age of 16 purchase a stamp annually.
Se-tenant stamps are multiple stamps printed on the same sheet that differ in design, denomination, or both, yet are still attached. The term “se-tenant” comes from the French, meaning “holding together,” which perfectly describes these stamps that are connected both literally and thematically.
When the Southern states seceded from the Union in 1861, one of the first tasks of the newly formed Confederate government was to establish a postal system. The United States Postal Service had stopped operations in the seceded states, leaving a vacuum that needed to be filled quickly. The Confederate Post Office, under the leadership of Postmaster General John H. Reagan, began issuing its own stamps in October 1861.
Imperforate stamps are simply stamps that lack the perforations—those tiny holes—that separate one stamp from another on a sheet. This means that instead of tearing a stamp along a dotted line, collectors and postal workers would have had to use scissors or a knife to separate them.
The concept of stamped envelopes dates back to the early days of the postal system. The first stamped envelope in the United States was issued in 1853. Known as the Nesbitt issue, these envelopes featured a simple design with a profile of Benjamin Franklin, modeled after the designs of contemporary postage stamps. Wrappers, on the other hand, were introduced as a way to efficiently mail newspapers, periodicals, and other printed materials. The first stamped wrappers in the United States were issued in 1861.
Arrow blocks are stamp blocks that include one or more arrows printed in the margin. These arrows were used by printers as alignment guides to ensure that the sheets were properly positioned during the printing process. The arrows often point towards the center of the sheet, helping to align the stamps with precision.