|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
ADH
|
paper
adhering to gum |
opt(d)
|
overprint(ed)
|
|
Archive
|
specimen
with punch hole |
P
|
Perforated
|
|
as
is |
possible
forgery |
pmk('d)
|
postmark(ed)
|
|
BL
|
(in
Michel)Block (=m/s) |
pos(n).
|
position
in sheet |
|
Blk
|
black
|
p.u.
|
postally
used |
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
|
blk/4
|
block
of 4 stamps |
R(2,3)
|
Row(2,
number 3) |
|
cat
|
catalogue
or cat.value |
R
to RRRRR (rarity) |
e.g.
R=scarce RRRR=a few copies known |
|
cont(rol)
|
validating
handstamp on stamp |
Sct.
|
Scott
catalogue (American) |
|
cr(s)
|
crease(s)
|
se-ten
|
se-tenant(two
or more attached stamps) |
|
cto
|
cancelled
to order (or by favour) |
SG
|
Stanley
Gibbons catalogue (British) |
|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
dble
|
double
|
sh.
|
short
|
|
de
luxe |
m/s
with illustrated borders |
sht
/ shtlt |
sheet
/ sheetlet |
|
epreuve
(de luxe) |
special
sheet (plain borders) |
sm.
|
small
|
|
fd(c)
|
first
day (cover) |
SPEC
|
Stamp
overprinted SPECIMEN |
|
flt(s)
|
fault(s)
|
surch.
|
surcharge(d)
|
|
fox
or foxing |
brown
age-staining |
surf.rub
|
surface
rub (part of design lost) |
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
|
hvy.
|
heavy
or heavily |
s/ways
|
sideways
|
|
IMP
or Imp |
Imperforate
|
Tele
|
Telegraph
stamp |
|
inv(td)
|
inverted
|
TinB
|
Theme
in sheet border |
|
M
or margs |
margins
(on imperf. stamps) |
thin
|
paper
thinned(on the back) |
|
Mi.
|
Michel
catalogue (number) (German) |
tone
or toning |
discoloration
(less than foxing) |
|
Mint
|
mint
stamp(s) issued without gum |
u/m
|
unmounted
mint (=never hinged mint) |
|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
m/m
|
mounted
mint (hinged) |
used
|
postally
used |
|
m/s
or MS |
miniature
sheet / souvenir sheet |
v.
|
very
|
|
NG
or no gum |
mint
stamp with gum missing |
wmk(d)
|
watermark(ed)
|
|
o/c
|
off-centre
(perf stamps only) |
Yv.
|
Yvert
et Tellier catalogue (French) |
|
(3)
or (3v) |
three
(or other number of) stamps |
Zum.
|
Zumstein
catalogue (Swiss) |