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Last updated on: 29th May, 2015

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Definitioner

Cover

In Philately, a Cover is an Envelope or package, typically with stamps that have been cancelled.

The term originates from the practice of covering a letter by folding a separate sheet about it to physically protect and prevent infringement of confidentiality. In the first half of the 19th century it became the fashion to cut the cover into a diamond or lozenge shape. This was the precursor version of the Envelope as it is known today. Its popularity was ensured in Britain when the lozenge design was adopted for the special pre-paid postage Envelopes and covers issued at the launch the postal reforms of 1840.

History

History or Postal History is the study of postal markings, rates and routes, or anything to do with the history of the posts.

Hobby

Things we like to do in our leisure time.

Philatelic

The collection and study of postage stamps, Postmarks, and related materials; stamp collecting.

Philately

Philately is the study of revenue and postage stamps. This includes the design, production and uses of stamps after they are authorized for issue, usually by government authorities, the most common one being postal authorities. Although many equate it with stamp collecting, it is a distinct activity. For instance, philatelists will study extremely rare stamps without expecting to own copies of them, whether because of cost, or because the sole survivors are in museums. Conversely, stamp collecting is the acquisition of stamps, at times without regard for origin or usage.

Postal History

Postal History is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the collecting of Covers and associated material illustrating historical episodes of postal systems.

Postal Stationery

Such include postal cards, wrappers, pre-stamped Envelopes, lettersheets, aerogrammes, plus other types of officially imprinted Stationery sold by post offices.

Postcard

A Postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an Envelope and at a lower rate than a letter. Stamp collectors distinguish between postcards (which require a stamp) and postal cards (which have the postage pre-printed on them). While a postcard is usually printed by a private company, individual or organization, a postal card is issued by the relevant postal authority.

Postmarks

A Postmark is a postal marking made on a letter, package, Postcard or the like indicating the (more or less precise) date and time that the item was delivered into the care of the postal service. Modern postmarks are often applied simultaneously with the Cancellation or "killer" that marks the postage stamp(s) as having been used (though in some circumstances there may be a postmark without a killer, and sometimes the postmark and killer form a continuous design), and the two terms are often used interchangeably, if incorrectly. Postmarks may be applied by hand or by machines, using methods such as rollers or inkjets, while digital postmarks are a recent innovation.

Stationery

Stationery or Postal Stationery is stationery bearing imprinted stamps, as opposed to adhesive stamps. Postal Stationery includes postal cards, lettercards, stamped Envelopes, wrappers, Aerograms, telegraph cards, postal savings forms and similar government-produced items. The cost to the mailer is often the price of postage plus an additional charge for the stationery item.

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