Philatelic Glossary
This glossary has been compiled from various different sources. Some of the terms have been reproduced with kind permission from the Stanley Gibbons Philatelic Terms Illustrated by James Mackay. If you think a term is missing please e-mail us.
Anaglyptography
Form of machine engraving which gives an appearance of relief to a print through use of parallel waved lines.
Anchor
Printing terminology for a rivet, nail or screw used to fix a printing plate to a wooden or metal mount.
Anchor Watermark
Watermark used in certain issues of Great Britain and Colonies. An Anchor is shown in many stamp papers.
Anhyphenate
Without a hyphen.
Aniline
Water soluble and fugitive ink with a dye base that runs when wetted and fluoresces under a UV lamp.
Aniline Colour
Printer's Ink with a coal tar base.
Annulé
(French) Cancelled.
Anti Tuberculosis Seals
Charity label sold to raise funds to combat TB, resembles a stamp but is not valid for postage. q.v Health Stamps.
APO
Abbreviation for Army Post Office.
Approvals
Stamps sent by dealers to collectors with the option of buying or returning them before a set date.
Après le Départ
(French) Too late.
AR
Avis de Réception. q.v. Advice of Receipt.
Arc Roulette
Method of separating stamps by a series of minute semi-circular slits varying in distance between 1/4 mm and 1/2 mm.
Archer Perforation
Stamps perforated by Henry Archer during his experiments in first applying perforation to postage stamps, (1850-1854).
Archival Paper
Paper manufactured to provide resistance to natural aging.
Army Official
Overprint on low value British stamps used by district and station paymasters' offices between 1896 and 1904. Victorian and Edwardian stamps overprinted were used for all their correspondence with the exception of letters to the War Office which were free. (q.v. Army Service and AS).
Army Post Office
The organisation responsible for handling soldiers mail. See also FPO (Forces Post Office).
Army Telegraphs
Stamps inscribed either Army Telegraphs or Military Telegraphs were issued between 1884 and 1901 for use by British Military Forces on manoeuvres.
Aromatic Stamps
Stamps that give off an aroma e.g. Switzerland 2001 Chocolate issue which when scratched had an aroma of chocolate.
Arrival Postmark
Impression placed on mail by receiving office to show name of office and arrival date. Usually applied on back of correspondence.
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