Even more info about collecting US stamps!
Specimen stamps are essentially sample stamps provided by postal authorities to other postal administrations, government agencies, or stamp dealers. Their primary purpose was to serve as a reference to identify the designs, denominations, and security features of stamps from other countries. Often, the word “Specimen” is either overprinted on the stamp or incorporated into the design to clearly indicate that it is not valid for postage.
A First Day Cover is an envelope, postcard, or card that features a newly issued postage stamp, postmarked on the stamp’s first day of official release. The postmark includes the date and usually the location of the stamp’s first issuance, turning each FDC into a historical artifact.
A commemorative cover is an envelope or card that has been stamped and postmarked to mark a special event, anniversary, or achievement. These covers often feature unique designs, special cancellations, and sometimes even additional artwork that enhances their visual appeal. Unlike regular mail, commemorative covers are usually produced in limited quantities, making them prized additions to any collection.
Carrier stamps were a type of local post used in the early days of American mail service. Before the establishment of the nationwide postal system as we know it today, mail delivery was a more localized affair. Carrier stamps were issued by private companies or city governments to cover the cost of delivering mail from the post office to the recipient’s address within a specific city. They played a crucial role in urban mail delivery before the federal government standardized postal services.
Offset lithography, also known as offset printing, operates on a simple yet ingenious principle. The process involves transferring an inked image from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the printing surface, which, in this case, is the postage stamp paper. This indirect transfer is what gives offset printing its name.
A grill is a pattern of tiny indentations or embossing on the surface of a postage stamp. These indentations break the fibers of the paper, allowing ink from a cancellation mark to penetrate more deeply. This made it much harder to wash off the cancellation and reuse the stamp.
The term “Back-of-the-Book” refers to stamps and postal items that are not considered part of the regular postage issues. These are typically found in the back section of stamp catalogs, hence the name.
A postal card is a type of stationery issued by postal authorities, distinct from postcards in that the postage is pre-printed on the card itself. This made them an economical and convenient option for sending quick messages, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when they were most popular.
In the United States, the tradition of commemorative stamps began with the Columbian Exposition Issue in 1893. This series of 16 stamps was released to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World. Known simply as “the Columbians,” these stamps featured a range of denominations and depicted various scenes from Columbus’s voyages.