Great Britain Stamps - Beautiful Designs, Beautiful Colours and Full of History



Some of our favourite stamps are those that have been issued by Great Britain (the United Kingdom). GB stamps are almost always beautifully designed and show high-quality printing.

Even the Machins (one of our favourite all-time stamp sets), which all use the same design - the head of Queen Elizabeth II - are striking in appearance because of the jewel-tone colours that are used. These British definitive stamps make quite a vivid stamp display when mounted together on stamp album pages.

And British commemorative stamps are full of history. World War 2 and the Battle of Britain is just one of the topics that are so beautifully illustrated on GB commemoratives. And topical stamps! Pictured at the top of this article are two of our favourite animal theme stamp sets, one featuring dogs, the other birds.

All in all, the stamps of Great Britain make a wonderful stamp collection, full of history but vibrant.

Discount Postage Stamps - Kiloware and Off Paper Stamp Assortments

Stamp kiloware and other discount-priced stamp mixtures are a great way to buy stamps, useful to an advanced stamp collector as well as a collector who is just beginning a stamp collection.

Bulk stamp mixes are an extremely inexpensive way to purchase a lot of stamps. A budding stamp collector can use the stamps bought this way to cheaply begin a new stamp collection. An intermediate or advanced collector can use kiloware and other bulk stamp mixtures to while away the long hours of winter evenings, searching through a big pile of stamps for items still needed for an existing collection. And stamp assortments are great for finding different stamp cancellations and different varieties of a stamp.

Stamp mixtures can be a treasure trove even though they're inexpensive - you never know what you'll find, and sometimes you'll stumble upon a stamp that's worth quite a bit of money. But even if you don't find a rare stamp, you'll enjoy the time you spend looking for one.

Buy stamps by the ounce, by the quarter pound or by the pound. You won't find a cheaper way to build your stamp collection.

Maximaphily - the Art of Creating and Collecting Maximum Cards

Maximaphily is a somewhat neglected but fascinating and highly creative sub-specialty of stamp collecting that focuses on creating and/or collecting Maximum Cards.



What are Maximum Cards?

A maximum card is a picture postcard. The picture side of the postcard bears a stamp and postmark in concordance as well as the picture. The other side has room for a message and the recipient's address. The main hallmark of a maximum card (sometimes called a maxi card) is concordance between the picture on the face of the postcard, the stamp used to mail it and the postmark. Concordance means that the picture, the stamp and the postmark are related as closely as possible.

According to the FIP (the International Philatelic Federation):

The constituent elements of a maximum card should conform to the following characteristics:

1. The postage stamp

The postage stamp should be postally valid and affixed only on the view side of the picture postcard. Postage due, pre-cancels, fiscal stamps, official stamps only available for use by the government, and stamps that violate the "Code of Ethics of the UPU" are not true maximum cards.

2. The picture postcard

Its dimensions must conform to universal postal conventions. At least 75% of its area must be used for the picture and the illustration should show the best possible concordance with the subject of the stamp or with one of them, if there are several. Picture postcards with exact reproductions of the stamp used on the cards are are not true maximum cards.

3. The postmark and time

The pictorial design of the cancellation and the place of cancellation (name of the post office) should have a close and direct connection with the subject of the stamp and of the picture postcard, and should be dated within the validity of the stamp and as close as possible to the date of its issue.

The example of a maximum card that's at the beginning of this article uses a postcard that's probably widely available on St. Lucia (Pigeon Island, St. Lucia is the subject of the card). The St. Lucia stamp used on the card features an almost-identical view of Pigeon Island, and the card was postmarked there.

What Are Semipostal Stamps?

Semipostal stamps are used by various countries to raise money for charitable or humanitarian causes. First used a little more than a century ago, the price of a semi-postal stamp includes payment for the item being mailed (i.e., the postage charge) and an additional surcharge that is collected by the postal authority and then directed toward charities for their use.

Although there are a couple of additional types of stamps that also raise funds for non-postal purposes (for example, war tax stamps and postal tax stamps that are required to be purchased), the postal customer's use of semipostal stamps is always strictly voluntary.

A few countries - notably Switzerland with its long-running annual Pro Juventute semipostal series - issue new semipostal stamps every year, or at least close to it. But most countries only issue them every once in a while, usually when a particularly good cause such as the need for earthquake disaster relief arises. And sadly, it was 1998 before the United States ever issued its first semipostal stamp - the Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp, US Scott # B1.

In most country stamp albums, semipostal stamps (which are also called semi-postal stamps, charity stamps or welfare stamps) are located in the Back of the Book stamp section of album pages, generally just before airmail stamps.

We stumbled onto this article the other day, and even though it's from this summer, we thought it might interest more than a few of our readers.

Investors turn to stamps as a way to lick credit crunch

By David Prosser, Deputy Business Editor, The Independent (UK)

Investors spooked by falling stock markets, plunging house prices and concerns about the security of their cash savings have found a new safe haven in postage stamps, Stanley Gibbons, the world's largest philatelic dealer, claimed yesterday.

Announcing first-half profits of £1.9m, an 11 per cent increase on the same period last year, Martin Bralsford, chairman of Stanley Gibbons, said investors were increasingly attracted to stamps and other collectibles. "The benefits of investing in collectibles as an alternative asset have never been clearer," Mr Bralsford said. "The prices of rare stamps show no correlation with the stock market, property prices and other traditional forms of investment, and historically collectibles have increased the most in times of high inflation."
...

There is some evidence to support Mr Bralsford's claims for the appeal of stamps as a safe haven. The GB30 Rarities Stamp Index, an index of the value of 30 of the rarest stamps in the world, has risen 39 per cent over the past 12 months, seemingly oblivious to the global credit crunch.

The index has also performed well over the longer term, with an average annual return of 10.7 per cent over the past 10 years. Indeed, stamp prices have proved remarkably resilient to economic woes, producing positive returns in even the most difficult of financial climates.

The wider SG100 index, which tracks the value of the 100 stamps most commonly traded, has also performed strongly, gaining almost 60 per cent since the turn of the century.

Moreover, stamps have additional attractions not offered by other more traditional safe haven assets. Unlike gold, for example, even a sizeable collection of valuable stamps is easily transported – one reason why several leading Nazis fleeing Germany after the Second World War chose to smuggle wealth in the form of rare stamps. Such collections also need less careful storage than many other assets. Mr Bralsford said demand for stamps had increased around the world.

Desirable US Stamp Sets

Two of the most desired commemorative sets in all of United States philatelics are the Columbian Exposition stamps of 1893 and the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition set (the stamp set that includes the famous cattle in the storm stamp). I've read that when the Columbians came out, they were greatly disliked, and that the same was true for the Trans-Mississippi set - because it was supposed to be bi-colored, and when it wasn't, collectors were disappointed. Perhaps part of the reason for the high value of both sets today is that they were not as widely collected as they might have been when issued. Another reason is that even one of the high value stamps of those sets probably represented about what a person in those times made in a day.

The Graf Zeppelin set of airmail stamps is no doubt the most desired - and by far the most expensive - of all the U.S. air post stamps. They are Scott # C13, C14, and C15. Issued in 1930, each features a depiction of the Graf Zeppelin dirigible or airship. If you don't want to spend the bucks for these (a complete set will cost well over a thousand dollars), you can get the "Baby Zep" - Scott # C18 - for far less money.

How To Sell A Large Stamp Collection

Typically, the sale price of a large stamp collection is based almost strictly on the quality and value of only the better stamps. A stamp dealer will not be willing to pay more than a fair percentage of the retail sale value of those better stamps, and probably less unless he or she has an opportunity to carefully inspect the collection in person. This is why it's always better to take or ship your stamp collection to a dealer before selling it - it may be inconvenient to do so, but the offer you then receive may in turn be much higher.

No one would pay much for the cheaper stamps in a collection (even if there are 10's of thousands of them) because they are just not economic for a dealer to process and resell. It can take just as long to process a stamp that's worth 10 cents as a stamp that's worth 100 dollars. A good auction house or stamp dealer will sell the best stamps as individual lots and then sell the balance of the collection (the inexpensive stamps) as one or more lots.

Selling directly on eBay is always a possibility, but because the bidders can only see a few pictures of the collection and not the actual stamps themselves, the price fetched for your stamp collection may be disappointing.

If using an auction assistant on eBay, avoid those who do not specifically specialize in stamps, especially if they may not have the necessary equipment (a scanner), experience and knowledge to properly identify or describe stamps and are not able to produce high quality (but fast loading) scans. Finally, eBay and PayPal fees make it difficult to profitably sell lower cost stamps.

You might also consider having a handful of your better stamps graded or expertized. The bidding may (or may not) go as high as you hoped just on the weight of a few really desirable "highlights". This would be a likely advantage whether you sell via ebay or through a "real life" auction house. This way the buyer can feel like they are buying some high quality, specific items, and essentially getting the rest as a bonus.

I know, some of these suggestions cost both time and money, but sometimes you have to spend a little to make more.

New Great Britain Machin Stamps Will Be Collected ON PAPER ONLY If Used


After February 17 2009, Royal Mail will issue definitive stamps with some new security features that are designed to prevent reuse.

The stamps will have 4 semi-circular slits, and will also have an iridescent print on the dark area around the Queen's head. The slits will most likely make it just about impossible to soak the stamps off their envelope paper - instead of the stamps remaining intact, they will tear along the slits when the paper is pulled away. So, in future, we may only be able to collect and display used Machins ON paper, because they won't be possible to soak.

According to Royal Mail, "the features are designed to prevent any stamps from removal."

Although the design of Machin stamps is the definition of elegant simplicity, collecting these stamps can be very complex and completely absorbing. Because of this complexity, if you know what you're doing, there is always the possibility of finding a major rarity in a stamp mixture or assortment. Machins are a treasure hunter's dream, and because of their great complexity, they have done much for modern philately. They are "real" stamps, workhorses that are not just pretty labels that are designed to raise money for governments.

Most people become stamp collectors because of attractive commemorative stamps. But out of those who go on to become philatelists, most do because of definitive stamps - and especially a highly complex, long lasting series such as the Machins. Those people lose interest in commemorative stamps because of the relative lack of challenge. That will never happen with the Machins.

We understand Royal Mail's desire to protect its revenues by preventing fraudulent re-use of stamps. But we are sad to see any measure put into place that makes it more difficult to collect and display one of the world's classic stamp series - one that has fascinated philatelists for a very long time.

Beginning Stamp Collecting - Today's Installment of A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (continued)


Stamp Collecting Tips - How to Handle & Store Your Stamps:


1. Always use stamp tongs to pick up and handle your stamps. They look like household tweezers, but stamp tongs do not have sharp edges. Regular tweezers could easily harm your stamps. You may find it awkward to use tongs in the beginning, but stick with it, it will become second nature.

Do not pick up your stamps with your fingers or even lay them out on a bare table. The natural oils from your skin and the dust on the table will dirty the stamp over time. When looking at your stamps, place them on a clean piece of white paper or something similar, then use tongs to pick them up.

2. You can use clean, plain white envelopes to organize your collection when you start. Write the name of the type of stamps on the envelope to help you stay organized.

When you're starting a stamp collection it's best to keep it simple and just sort your stamps and label your envelopes by country, unless you've already decided you want to focus on just certain types of stamps.

3. When you're done working with your stamps for the day, it's good practice to put your stamps into a clean, sturdy container or box. Shoe boxes or empty desk drawers are an ideal place to store your envelopes.

4. After a while, buy a package of glassine envelopes for your stamps. These are inexpensive, semi-transparent envelopes made especially for stamp collecting. Stamps can stay fresh inside glassines for a fairly long period of time. Many types of paper have high levels of acidity or other properties that over time can harm the stamps inside. It's perfectly okay to temporarily store your stamps in these regular envelopes for a few weeks or even months depending upon the quality of the paper, but you shouldn't keep them there for much longer than that.

United States Fourth Bureau Definitives - A Fascinating Group of US Stamps (Sometimes Called the "1922's")

We stumbled across this article which is chock full of interesting information on this beautiful series of United States definitive stamps, so we thought we'd pass it along to our readers.

Part I
by Michael Mills

The landscape of US stamps is a large one, ranging from dozens of locals and provisionals, a handful of territories and possessions and entities such as the Canal Zone and Hawaii, to the Confederate States of America, which had many of their own locals and provisionals, as well as pioneer airmail service, officials, revenues, and long-lived definitive series.

A newcomer to US philately might be overwhelmed by the topics and specialties, but if someone wanted to delve into the heart of the American philatelic landscape, there's one set of regular definitive postage that can be recommended for its philatelic significance, classic design, collecting possibilities, and affordable price tags. The USA's Fourth Bureau Series of definitives issued from 1922 through 1938 is an excellent entry into the realm of US stamps.

This is a ripe and rich area for collecting USA. In catalog terms, the Fourth Bureau runs from the flat plate, 1/2-cent to five dollar printings (SG# 559-613, 626-7), and the rotary press 1/2-cent to ten-cent issues (SG# 630 - 643), to a host of overprints, some of which are the "poor man's commemoratives" (SG# 649-51) and some security overprints (SG# 655-676): the "Kans." and "Nebr." overprints were designed to help curtail an outbreak of post office thefts in the rural plains states of Kansas and Nebraska. There are errors and specialties, such as the US-administered Canal Zone with its own series of Fourth Bureau overprints.

Throughout the Fourth Bureau there are perforation and color varieties, double transfers and plate errors, and adding to the fun are the numerous coils, with governmental as well as private perforations. Star Plates, experiments in cliche spacing, and various gum breakers also add variety to the series. If someone wanted to seek out higher philatelic ground, there are items such as the two-cent rotary President Harding issue, perf 11, one of which was hammered down at $35,000 in 2000. However, most issues are in the very affordable range, making the series a perfect philatelic entryway into the USA.

Technically, the series marks an era of modernization and innovation within the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, when production migrated from the plate plate press to the rotary press, as well as various experiments with stamp spacing, perforation, and gum.

The Fourth Bureau was also the first US issue to be collected on cover, postmarked on the first day of issue, when the first of the series, the eleven-cent Hayes stamp, was issued on 4 October 1922 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth in Fremont, Ohio. Spacing experiments and the Star Plates made plate block collecting popular, as larger, three millimeter horizontal spaces between stamps were used to try and to cut down on perforation errors and waste. Such plates were marked with stars in the margins, and resulted in some very rare plate blocks.

The Post Office

The Fourth Bureau debuted in October 1922 during the Republican administration of President Warren G. Harding, who took office in March 1921. The new Postmaster General Glover, an ardent stamp collector, set about retooling the Post Office that had apparently languished under the former administration of the ailing Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

Glover started the first philatelic sales windows at the Post Office, and whether or not the series was a replacement for the tired Washington-Franklin series that may or may not have confused postal clerks and letter carriers isn't known. After the series was released, Glover defended the Fourth Bureaus against charges of wasteful spending by saying thousands of postal customers and postmasters had asked the Post Office for more distinctive designs and colors.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced all of the series, and changes at the BEP more than likely brought about the new definitives. During the Great World War, the BEP printed the country's war bonds, but security was so lax that fraud and other abuses led to the "Liberty Bond Scandal." The staff was overworked, and the physical plant was aging fast just as the government was stepping up printing production to meet the needs of a growing industrial nation.

Beginning Stamp Collecting - Today's Installment of A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (continued)


Plan your stamp collection, but keep in mind that there are no rules, only the ones you set for yourself. Your ideas and collecting habits will change over time and as your collection grows. Your plan - whatever it is - should be flexible enough to allow for growth and broadening interests.


Your first thought might be to establish the theme or topic of your collection. The easiest place to start is to collect stamps that come from mail that is sent to you or your family or friends. Most of these stamps will be from the country in which you live. Many collectors start this way, and branch out later as their interest grows.

There are several different types of stamp collections. For most types you will need at least one stamp catalogue, and possibly several reference books.

Single country.

This type of stamp collection is where you try to collect every stamp issued by the country that you select. The more you collect, the more specialized your collection will become. This will take some time but is a great experience. You will develop in-depth knowledge of the country's stamps.

Topicals or Thematic Stamps.

In this type of collection, you try to collect stamps with a similar theme from anywhere in the world. The choice of topic is yours. The list of possible topics is basically unlimited, but some popular themes are trains, airplanes, space, ships, flowers, flags and Boy Scouts. For something a bit different, you could also try collecting all of the worldwide stamps that were issued in the year of your birth.


Omnibus Collection.

In this type of collection you collect all the stamps that were issued by various countries in connection with a specific event, such as the death of Princess Diana, the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King George VI, etc.


Ad hoc stamp collection.

This is a collection with no apparent rhyme or reason - they are just "stamps that you like." Many stamp collections start this way, and this is how many stamp collectors learn about stamps. This stage may take years, and a collection like this can be left and returned to many years later. This type is usually the least expensive for those with limited funds.

Why is my stamp a brownish color when the catalogue says it should be orange?

When orange stamps turn brown it is usually because sulfur compounds have attacked the ink and oxidized it.

Storage in some vinyl holders can contribute to this condition, and it can happen fairly quickly - some expensive stamps submitted for expertizing have even been affected while awaiting the authentication process.

It's similar to rust on metal, except other chemicals are involved.

If you do an online search for your stamp, or for other orange stamps such as US Scott # C13 or # C16 Special Delivery, you can often find examples of oxidized stamps being offered for sale. A reputable stamp dealer will always disclose this condition in the description and should discount the price of the stamp.

Beginning Stamp Collecting - Today's Installment of A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (continued)


The condition of the stamps that are intended for your stamp collection is critically important. Ideally all of your stamps will be intact with no corners missing, no tears, no thins (discussed below), no pinholes, etc. Well-centered stamps - those that have essentially the same size margins (blank edges) on all four sides - are also ideal. But as we all know, what is ideal is often not what is reality. So here are some thoughts on different stamp flaws which detract from the condition and appearance of stamps, and some thoughts on how to remedy at least some of them.


USED Stamps:


1. Creases, folds and bends, and pin holes.

Even the smallest corner crease can detract from the condition and value of a stamp. Light folds and bends (which are a bit less serious than creases since they haven't damaged the integrity of the stamp paper) can sometimes be "washed out" by soaking, and then when nearly dry, pressing the stamp between sheets of paper with a heavy book or two on top. Pinholes, on the other hand, will be there forever, no matter what you try.

2. Dirty appearance of either the front or back of the stamp.

Some "dirty" marks can be removed by soaking in warm water with the addition of a drop or two of mild dishwashing liquid. A gentle massage between the fingers during the soak helps to dislodge dirt and grime. Then dry and press as in 1 above.

3. Rust marks and staining.

Rust is actually a fungal growth on the stamp and is almost impossible to remove. Such stamps should NOT be stored with clean stamps as the spores can be transmitted from stamp to stamp.

Ideally, stamps should be stored in low humidity, with a stable temperature and with regular airing. This will reduce the chances of rust. Dust can also carry these spores, so a dust-free environment is also good.

Staining is caused by the dyes used on colored envelopes (such as those bright red or green Christmas card envelopes) being transferred to the stamp during the soaking process. It is best to soak colored envelopes separately as even just one colored envelope may stain all of the stamps in a soaking batch. Staining caused by these dyes is almost impossible to completely remove.


4. Centering.

Centering refers to the position of the stamp design in relation to the overall stamp. A well centered stamp has equal margins on all four sides. An off-center stamp may be high, low, left, right or a combination of these.


5. Heavy or smudged postmarks.

6. Torn or cut stamps, and stamps with missing perforations (perfs).

Even one or two missing perforations can seriously detract from a stamp.

7. Thins.

Stamp thins are a condition where a thin portion of the back side of the stamp has been ripped away, either by pulling off a stamp hinge or not completely soaking the stamp before removing it from the envelope. When held up to the light the thinned area looks brighter because more light passes through.

8. Repairs

Repairs to tears or missing perfs are intended to make the stamp look better and more valuable. Compared to an un-repaired stamp that's in good condition, even a successful repair will still detract from the stamp.


All of the above condition factors also apply to MINT stamps, and with mint stamps, gum condition must also be considered.


FULL GUM - no disturbance to the original gum as issued.

PARTIAL GUM - some of the stamp's original gum has been removed by being hinged.

NO GUM- the original gum has been removed by soaking.
Sometimes this is necessary to arrest rust or to separate stamps that have "licked themselves together" over time.


That's all for today - more of this tutorial soon!

Beginning Stamp Collecting - A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (continued)


As we alluded to in our first post on this topic, you may want to start your stamp collection with used stamps. They are easy to find for free (from your mail and that of your friends and relatives), and when you buy them they generally (although there are exceptions) are less expensive to buy than mint, unused stamps.

Collecting used stamps has one main factor to consider that does not apply if you are collecting mint stamps: the postmarks and cancellations that are on them.


For beginners collecting used stamps, here are our thoughts on cancellations and postmarks (for now, we're not taking into account the condition of the stamp, just the postmark). We'll discuss the condition of stamps a bit later.

1. Your first preference would probably be a neat, well struck cancel which does not detract from the design on the stamp. You might like it best if it only impinges on a small portion of the stamp, since you can see the design on the stamp better that way. No smudging. Showing some or all of the town's name is a bonus.

2. Second preference - A CDS (circular date stamp cancellation) that is neat and not over-inked or smudged. This type of postmark will allow you to see where and when the stamp was mailed on its cover.

3. A third type of postmark is the pictorial cancellation. These graphic designs used to cancel stamps illustrate some event or concept.

4. Slogan cancellations also convey some concept - such as "Vote Early" or "Win the War."

5. Your last preference might be a machine cancel that covers only a small portion of the stamp. Generally there isn't much postal history information to be gained from a postmark of this type.

In many countries a circular datestamp SOTN (socked on the nose) cancel is the preferred cancel. These show all details of the town name, date of sending and country/state details.

Collecting postmarks and cancellations can be a fascinating specialty stamp collection. Because your collection will grow and evolve over time, always look to upgrade a cancel or stamp when a better one appears. You can always remove the poorer cancel from your collection and replace it with the better.

Stamp condition, also comes into play with your final decision. A good condition stamp with a lesser cancel is often far better than a damaged stamp with a good cancel, but there are many exceptions to this generalization. Some postmarks add value to even a damaged stamp but this is more for the advanced collector. If you're unsure about which of two stamps might be better, keep both, and ask questions.

If you have any extremely good circular cancels or pictorial cancels, often it is better NOT to soak them off the paper but save them as a piece to show the whole stamp and postmark. Even better, keep the ENTIRE (the whole envelope together with its stamp) intact.

Where there are multiple cancels- whether touching the stamp or not - it is best to save these as an entire or at least a large piece. Often these postal markings show the journey the letter has taken and other special handling details.


More installments of this tutorial will follow.

Beginning Stamp Collecting - A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (part 1 of several parts)


There are many different ways to begin collecting stamps, but here are some of our thoughts on how to get started.

1. Collect stamps before you BUY any stamps.

Save every stamp that comes to you on mail. Ask your friends and relatives for their stamps. Get stamps from your office or by any other means that you don't have to pay for. Accept every stamp that's given to you, no matter how rough-looking.

This will let you get a taste of the hobby without having to spend any money. You can learn the basics of stamp collecting by using these free stamps.

2. Learn the basics about stamp collecting.

The basics include how to soak stamps off paper (read other entries in this blog for some tips on this) and how to identify your stamps. You'll need a stamp catalog of some type to identify them. Borrow one from the library (most libraries carry stamp catalogs), borrow one from a friend or relative, or ask for a catalog as a gift. An older stamp catalog is just fine to get started with - there's no need to buy the most recent specialized version yet.

You should also learn how to safely store your stamps. For now, a stock book or a box with a lid is fine. Keep your stamps dry and away from high humidity - and the dog, if you have one.

You can also learn some basics by talking about your stamps with stamp collectors that you know. They can give you some tips and tricks that are based on their experiences. If you don't know anyone who collects stamps, post on this blog - we'll answer your questions quickly.



The single most important thing to remember is that collecting stamps is fun, not a "job."

And secondly, if you have children, by all means share your hobby with them. They'll thank you for it, it's great quality time together and educational for everyone.



This is only the first installment of this tutorial, so if you're a new stamp collector or thinking about collecting stamps, stay tuned.

Commercial Covers vs. Philatelic Covers - How to Tell the Difference

As we said yesterday, sometimes the distinction between commercial covers and philatelic covers can be a bit blurry. But if you're a cover collector, it is essential to be able to determine if a particular cover is commercial or philatelic.


There are perhaps three ways to determine whether or not a cover is commercial in nature:

1. What postage rate is the cover paying as compared to what franking should be on the cover? In other words, were stamps with a face value that is more than what was necessary to mail it used? If so, the cover may be philatelic, although sometimes commercial covers do have more postage than actually necessary on them.

2. In what timeframe were the stamps used on the cover? In other words, were the stamps used within a short period of time after they were issued (more likely to be a commercial use, although first day covers would be an exception), or were they used much later than they were issued (more likely to be a philatelic cover)?

3. How does the cover look? By that we mean, is its overall appearance philatelic or commercial? This is a judgment call, but here are some things to consider in making that judgment.

Have the stamps been very neatly placed on the cover or is their appearance on the envelope a bit haphazard?

Are all the members of a stamp set present or is a single definitive stamp the only franking?

Is it a philatelic cancel from a stamp show or exhibition?

Is it a first day of use?

How is it addressed?

Has it been opened very neatly or a bit roughly?

Some stamp collectors focus on commercial covers, while others focus on philatelic covers. There is nothing wrong with either type, it's all a matter of individual preference. Commercial covers demonstrate how stamps are used in the mail, but their appearance (as far as the stamps are concerned) is usually nothing special. Philatelic covers (because of the stamps that are used) are often quite beautiful. Which type of cover you decide to collect is up to you.

Collecting Covers - A Stamp Collecting Specialty

New stamp collectors may wonder just what "covers" are, and why they are collectible.

The most simple answer is that a "cover" is an envelope that has been stamped and sent through the mail. They can be collectible for the stamp(s), for the postmark, for the recipient or for the sender, or a combination of these factors. There are two main types of covers: commercial covers and philatelic covers.

Commercial covers are those that are mailed for ordinary (non-collecting) purposes. Since by definition they are not created expressly for stamp collectors but are instead used to transmit material (whatever was inside the cover) they always contained some type of content (although that content often is removed by the recipient before the cover gets into a collector's hands).

Philatelic covers, on the other hand, are covers that are created and mailed specifically for the purpose of someone collecting them. Sometimes they originally include(d) some type of meaningful content inside, but other times there may only be a blank cardboard stiffener. First day covers are a subcategory of philatelic covers.

Sometimes the distinction between commercial covers and philatelic covers can be a bit blurry. But if you're a commercial cover collector, it is essential to be able to determine if a particular cover is commercial or philatelic.

Tomorrow we'll discuss how many stamp collectors make this determination.

Stamp Trivia Question:


Question: What is the world's most reproduced work of art in history?

Answer: Arnold Machin's sculpture of the head of Queen Elizabeth II, an image of which is featured on British definitive stamps, with a smaller image being on most other British stamps.


According to an article by Richard Alleyne, only a handful of casts of the bust were ever made by renowned sculptor Arnold Machin. Three of them are kept by Royal Mail but a fourth has been discovered in the closet of the artist's former studio and is to be auctioned off.

Alleyne goes on to say,"The 1966 design is said to be so well-liked by the Queen that she has declined to have it updated and changed over the years, unlike her effigy on coinage. It is still seen on almost every British stamp today and some 320 billion copies have been made over the last 40 years, making it the most reproduced work of art in history."