Chapter X: Royal and National Collections 303

The late Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha as a collector--King
George's stamps: Great Britain, Mauritius, British Guiana,
Barbados, Nevis--The "King of Spain Reprints"--The late Grand
Duke Alexis Michaelovitch--Prince Doria Pamphilj--The "Tapling"
Collection--The Berlin Postal Museum--The late Duke of
Leinster's bequest to Ireland--Mr. Worthington's promised gift
to the United States.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 333

INDEX 351

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT

PAGE

Perforation Gauge 43

The Commemorative Letter Balance designed by Mr. S. King, of Bath
(1840). A monument "which may be possessed by every family in the
United Kingdom" 72

Mr. King's Letter Balance had a tripod base, as in the uppermost
figure, thus affording three tablets on which the associations of
J. Palmer, Rowland Hill, and Queen Victoria with postal reform
are recorded 73

A Facsimile of the Address Side of a Penny Post Letter in 1686,
showing the "Peny Post Payd" mark instituted by Dockwra and
continued by the Government authorities 83

Facsimile of the Contents of the Penny Post Letter of 1686 84

The Official Notification of December 3, 1818, relating to the use
of the Sardinian Letter Sheets. Described in the records of the
Schroeder collection as "the oldest official notification of any
country in the world relating to postage-stamps" 86

(_Continuation from previous page._) The models show the
devices for the three denominations: 15, 25, and 50 centesimi
respectively 87

Proof of the Mulready Envelope, signed by Rowland Hill. (From the
"Peacock" Papers) 111

Gauge for Arranging Stamps in a Blank Album 144

Autograph Letter from Rowland Hill to John Dickinson, the
paper-maker, asking for six or eight sheets of the silk-thread
paper for trial impressions of the adhesive stamps 164

Original Sketch for the "Canoe" Type of Fiji Stamps 169

A Postal Memento of New Zealand's "Universal Penny Postage,"
January 1, 1901 190

The First Postage Stamp of the present reign, together with the
Post Office notice concerning its issue on November 4, 1910 193

The Official Notice of the Issue of the New Stamps of Great Britain
for the reign of King George V. 195

LIST OF PLATES

Sir Rowland Hill. (From the painting by J. A. Vinter, R.A., in the
National Portrait Gallery) _Frontispiece_

Examples of some Philatelic Terms:--A _Pair_ of Great Britain
embossed Sixpence.--A _Pair_ of Cape of Good Hope Triangular
Shilling.--A _Block_ of four Great Britain Penny Red.--A _Strip_
of three Grenada "4d." on Two Shillings 25

Examples of some Philatelic Terms:--The figures "201" indicate
the _Plate Number_, and "238" the _Current Number_. The
_Plate Number_ is also on each of these stamps in microscopic
numerals.--Corner pair showing _Current Number_ "575" in
margin.--Corner pair showing _Plate Number_ "15" in margin. The
_Plate Number_ is also seen in small figures on each stamp.--The
above stamps are those of Great Britain _overprinted_ for use in
Cyprus 29

Examples of some Philatelic Terms:--A sheet of stamps of Gambia,
composed of two _Panes_ of sixty stamps each.--The single "Crown
and CA" watermark, as it appears looking from the back of the
Gambia sheet illustrated above. The watermark is arranged in
panes to coincide with the impressions from the plate 33

Examples of some Philatelic Terms:--A "Bisect," or "Bisected
Provisional." The One Penny stamp of Jamaica was in 1861
permitted to be cut in halves diagonally, and each half used as a
halfpenny stamp 37

Examples of some Philatelic Terms:--Photograph of a flat steel
_die_ engraved in _taille douce_ (_i.e._, with the lines of
the design cut into the plate). The stamp is the 50 lepta of
Greece, issue of 1901, showing Hermes adapted from the Mercury of
Giovanni da Bologna 51

Scarce Pamphlet (first page) in which William Dockwra announces the
Penny Post of 1680 65

A Post Office in 1790 69

Sardinian Letter Sheet of 1818: 15 centesimi.--The 25 centesimi
Letter Sheet of Sardinia. Issued in Sardinia, 1818; the earliest
use of Letter Sheets with embossed stamps 89

The highest denomination, 50 centesimi, of the Sardinian Letter
Sheets.--One of the temporary envelopes issued for the use of
members of the House of Lords, prior to the issue of stamps and
covers to the public, 1840 93

The "James Chalmers" Essay.--Rough sketches in water-colours
submitted by Rowland Hill to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for
the first postage stamps 99

Hitherto unpublished examples of the proposals submitted to the
Lords of the Treasury in 1839 in competition for prizes offered
in connection with the Penny Postage plan. (From the Author's
Collection) 103

The address side of the model letter which has the stamp (shown
below) affixed to the back as a seal.--Another of the unpublished
essays submitted in the competition of 1839 for the Penny Postage
plan. (From the Author's Collection) 107

A Postage Stamp "Chart"--one of the early forms of stamp-collecting 119

The small "experimental" plate from which impressions of the Two
Pence, Great Britain, were made on "Dickinson" paper. Only two
rows of four stamps were impressed on each piece of the paper.
(_Cf._ next plate) 157

The Two Pence, Great Britain, on "Dickinson" paper. The upper block
is in red (24 stamps printed in all, of which nine copies are
known), and the lower block in blue (16 stamps printed, of which
twelve copies are known). The above blocks of six each are in the
possession of Mr. Lewis Evans; the pairs cut from the left side
of each block were in the collection of the late Mrs. John Evans 161

One of the rough pencil sketches by W. Mulready, R.A., for the
envelope. The "flying" figures are not shown in this sketch 165

Engraver's proof of the Queen's head die for the first adhesive
postage stamps, with note in the handwriting of Edward Henry
Corbould attributing the engraving to Frederick Heath 173

An exceptional block of twenty unused One Penny black stamps,
lettered "V R" in the upper corners for official use. (From the
collection of the late Sir William Avery, Bart.) 177

An envelope bearing the rare stamp issued in 1846 by the Postmaster
of Millbury, Massachusetts.--One of the stamps issued by the
Postmaster of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during the Civil War, 1861 181

Another of the Confederate States rarities issued by the Postmaster
of Goliad, Texas.--The stamp issued by the Postmaster of
Livingston, Alabama. (From the "Avery" Collection) 183

The One Penny "Post Office" Mauritius on the original letter-cover.
(From the "Duveen" Collection) 187

A roughly printed card showing the designs and colours for the
Unified "Postage and Revenue" stamps of Great Britain, 1884 191

The King's copy of the Two Pence "Post Office" Mauritius
stamp.--The magnificent unused copies of the One Penny and Two
Pence "Post Office" Mauritius stamps acquired by Henry J. Duveen,
Esq., out of the collection formed by the late Sir William Avery,
Bart. 225

The famous "Stock Exchange" Forgery of the One Shilling green stamp
of Great Britain.--A Genuine "Plate 6."--One specimen was used on
October 31, 1872, and the other on June 13 of the next year. The
enlargements betray trifling differences in the details of the
design, as compared with the genuine stamp above 245

The unique envelope of Annapolis (Maryland, U.S.A.) in Lord
Crawford's collection of stamps of the United States 279

Part sheet (175 stamps) of the ordinary One Penny black stamp
of Great Britain, 1840. (From the collection of the Earl of
Crawford, K.T.) 283

Nearly a complete sheet (219 stamps out of 240) of the highly
valued One Penny black "V R" stamp, intended for official use.
(From the collection of the Earl of Crawford, K.T.) 285

Part sheet (lacking but six horizontal rows) of the scarce Two
Pence blue stamp "without white lines" issued in Great Britain,
1840. (From the collection of the Earl of Crawford, K.T.) 287

The unique block of the "double Geneva" stamp, the rarest of the
Swiss "Cantonals." (Formerly in the "Avery" Collection, now in
the possession of Henry J. Duveen, Esq.) 291

Part sheet of the scarce 5c. "Large Eagle" stamp of Geneva, showing
the marginal inscription at the top. (From the collection of
Henry J. Duveen, Esq.) 293

A Page of the 5 cents. and 13 cents. Hawaiian "Missionary" stamps.
(From the "Crocker" Collection) 297

Hawaiian Islands, 1851. The 5 cents "Missionary" stamp on original
envelope. (From the "Crocker" Collection) 299

A Page from the King's historic collection of the stamps of Great
Britain, showing the method of "writing up" 307

The three copies of the unissued 2d. "Tyrian-plum" stamp of Great
Britain, in the collection of H.M. the King. The one on the
envelope is the only specimen known to have passed through the
post 309

Design for the King Edward One Penny stamp, approved and initialled
by His late Majesty. (From the collection of H.M. King George V.) 313

The companion design to that on page 313, and showing the correct
pose of the head, but in a different frame which was not adopted.
(From the collection of H.M. the King) 315

A Page of the One Penny "Post Paid" stamps of Mauritius. (In the
collection of H.M. the King) 319

The Two Pence "Post Paid" stamp of Mauritius. Unique block showing
the error (the first stamp in the illustration), lettered "PENOE"
for "PENCE". (In the collection of H.M. the King) 323

A specimen page from the "Tapling" Collection at the British
Museum. Probably the most valuable page, showing the Hawaiian
"Missionaries." The two stamps at the top have been removed from
the cases and are now kept in a safe in the "Cracherode" Room 327

PHILATELIC TERMS

PHILATELIC TERMS

ALBINO.--An impression made either from an uninked embossing die,
or from a similar inked die, under which two pieces of paper
have been simultaneously placed, only the upper one receiving
the colour.

ANILINE.--A term strictly applicable to coal-tar colours, but
commonly used for brilliant tones very soluble in water.

BÂTONNÉ.--_See_ PAPER.

BISECT.--A term applied to a moiety of a stamp, used as of half the
value of the entire label.

BLEUTÉ.--This word implies that the blueness of the paper has been
acquired since the stamp was printed, as the result of chemical
action.

BLOCK.--An unsevered group of stamps, consisting of at least two
horizontal rows of two each.

BOGUS.--An expression applied to any stamp not designed for use.

BURELÉ.--A fine network forming part of design of stamp, or
covering the front or back of entire sheet.

CANCELLED TO ORDER.--Stamps which, though postmarked or otherwise
obliterated, have not done postal or fiscal duty.

CENTIMETRE (CM.).--The one-hundredth part of a metre = .3937 inch.

CHALKY, OR CHALK-SURFACED.--Before being used for printing, paper
sometimes has its surface coated with a preparation largely
composed of chalk or similar substance: this renders the
print liable to rub off if wetted; and, in combination with a
doubly-fugitive ink, renders fraudulent cleaning practically
impossible.

CLICHÉ.--The ultimate production from the DIE, and of a number of
which the printing PLATE is composed.

COLOUR TRIALS.--Impressions taken in various colours from a plate,
so that a selection may be made.

COMB MACHINE.--A variety of perforating machine, which produces, at
each descent of the needles, a line of holes along a horizontal
(or vertical) row of stamps, and a short line of holes down the
two sides (or top and bottom) of each stamp in that horizontal
(or vertical) row. And _see_ PERFORATION.

COMMEMORATIVES.--A term applied to labels issued chiefly for sale
to collectors, and commemorating the contemporaneous happening,
or the anniversary, centenary, &c, of some often unimportant or
almost forgotten event.

COMPOUND.--_See_ PERFORATION.

CONTROL.--An arbitrary letter or number, or both, printed on the
margin of a sheet of stamps, for facilitating a check on the
supply. Also used to denote a design overprinted on a stamp
(_e.g._ Persia, 1899) as a protection against forgery.

A _Pair_ of Great Britain embossed Six Pence.

A _Pair_ of Cape of Good Hope Triangular Shilling.

A _Block_ of four Great Britain Penny Red.

A _Strip_ of three Grenada "4d." on Two Shillings.]

CURRENT NUMBER.--The consecutive number of a PLATE, irrespective of
the denomination of the stamp.

CUT-OUTS.--A term used to denote the impressions, originally part
of envelopes, postcards, &c., but cut off for use as ordinary
stamps.

CUT-SQUARES.--Stamps cut from envelopes, &c., with a rectangular
margin of paper attached, are known as "CUT-SQUARES."

DICKINSON PAPER.--_See_ PAPER.

DIE.--The original engraving from which the printing plates are
produced; or, sometimes, from which the stamps are printed
direct. _See_ PLATE and EMBOSSED.

DOUBLY-FUGITIVE.--_See_ FUGITIVE.

DOUBLE-PRINT.--Strictly applicable to two similar impressions,
more or less coincident, on the same piece of paper; though
often, but erroneously, applied to instances where the paper,
not being firmly held, has touched the plate, so receiving a
partial impression, and then, resuming its correct position,
has been properly printed.

DUTY-PLATE.--Many modern stamps are printed from two plates, one
being the same (KEY-PLATE, which see) for all the values, but
the other differing for each denomination: this latter is the
DUTY-PLATE.

ELECTRO.--A reproduction of the original die, made by means of a
galvanic battery from a secondary die. _See_ MATRIX.

EMBOSSED.--Stamps produced from a die, or reproductions thereof, on
which the design is cut to varying depths, are necessarily in
relief, _i.e._, embossed. And _see_ PRINTING.

ENGRAVED.--The term is often used to denote stamps printed direct
from a plate, on which the lines of the design are cut _into_
the metal. And _see_ PRINTING.

ENTIRES.--This expression includes not only POSTAL STATIONERY
(which see), but when used in describing an adhesive stamp, as
being "on entire," implies that the stamp is on the envelope or
letter as when posted.

ENVELOPE STAMP.--A stamp belonging to, and printed on, an envelope.

ERROR.--An incorrect stamp--either in design, colour, paper,
&c.--which has been issued for use.

ESSAY.--A rejected design for a stamp; in the French sense also
applied to proofs of accepted designs.

FACSIMILE.--A euphemism for a forgery.

FAKE.--A genuine stamp, which has been manipulated in order to
increase its philatelic or postal value.

FISCAL.--A stamp intended for payment of a duty or tax, as
distinguished from postage.

FLAP ORNAMENT.--This refers to the ornament (usually) embossed on
the tip of the upper flap of envelopes, and variously termed
ROSACE or TRESSE, or (incorrectly) PATTE, which see.

FUGITIVE.--Colours printed in "singly-fugitive" ink suffer on an
attempt to remove an ordinary ink cancellation; but if in
"doubly-fugitive" ink it _was_ thought that the removal of
_writing_-ink would injure the appearance of the stamp. And
_see_ CHALKY.

The figures "201" indicate the _Plate Number_, and "238" the _Current Number_. The _Plate Number_ is also on each of these stamps in microscopic numerals.

Corner pair showing _Current Number_ "575" in margin.

Corner pair showing _Plate Number_ "15" in margin. The _Plate Number_ is also seen in small figures on each stamp.

The above stamps are those of Great Britain _overprinted_ for use in Cyprus.]

GENERALISING.--The collecting of all the postage-stamps of the
world.

GOVERNMENT IMITATION.--Sometimes, when it is desired to reprint
an obsolete issue, the original dies or plates are not
forthcoming. New dies have, in these circumstances, been
officially made, and the resulting labels are euphemistically
called "Government imitations." "Forgeries" would be more
candid.

GRANITE.--_See_ PAPER.

GRILLE.--Small plain dots, generally arranged in a small rectangle,
but sometimes covering the entire stamp, embossed on certain
issues of Peru and the United States. The idea of this was to
so break up the fibre of the paper, as to allow the ink of the
postmark to penetrate it and render cleaning impossible.

GUILLOTINE.--The term used to define a perforating-machine which
punches a single straight line of holes at each descent of the
needles.

GUMPAP.--A fancy term of opprobrium applied to a stamp issued
purely for sale to collectors and not to meet a postal
requirement.

HAIR-LINE.--Originally used to indicate the fine line crossing
the outer angles of the corner blocks of some British stamps,
inserted to distinguish impressions from certain plates, this
term is now often employed to denote any fine line, in white or
in colour, and whether intentional or accidental, which may be
found on a stamp.

HAND-MADE.--_See_ PAPER.

HARROW.--The form of perforating-machine which is capable of
operating on an entire sheet of stamps at each descent of the
needles. And _see_ PERFORATION.

HEAD-PLATE.--_See_ KEY-PLATE.

IMPERFORATE.--Stamps which have not been PERFORATED or ROULETTED
(both of which see) are thus described.

IMPRIMATUR.--A word usually found in conjunction with "sheet," when
it indicates the first impression from a plate endorsed with an
official certificate to that effect, and a direction that the
plate be used for printing stamps.

IMPRINT.--The name of the printer, whether below each stamp, or
only on the margin of the sheet, is called the "imprint."

INVERTED.--Simply upside-down. And _see_ REVERSED.

IRREGULAR.--_See_ PERFORATION.

"JUBILEE" LINE.--Since 1887, the year of Queen Victoria's first
Jubilee--whence the name--a line of "printer's rule" has been
added round each pane, or plate, of most surface-printed
British and British Colonial stamps, in order to protect the
edges of the outer rows of CLICHÉS from undue wear and tear.
The "rule" shows as a coloured line on the sheets of stamps.

KEY-PLATE.--Stamps of the same design, when printed in two
colours, require two plates for each value; that which prints
the design (apart from the value, and sometimes the name of the
country), and is common to and used for two or more stamps, is
termed the HEAD-PLATE or KEY-PLATE. And _see_ DUTY-PLATE.

A sheet of stamps of Gambia, composed of two _Panes_ of sixty stamps each.

The single "Crown and CA" watermark as it appears looking from the back of the Gambia sheet illustrated above. The watermark is arranged in panes to coincide with the impressions from the plate.]

KNIFE.--This is a technical term for the cutter of the machine
which cuts out the (unfolded) envelope blank, and is
principally used in connection with the numerous varieties of
_shape_ in the United States envelopes, amongst which the same
size may show several variations in the flap.

LAID.--_See_ PAPER.

LAID BÂTONNÉ.--_See_ PAPER.

LINE-ENGRAVED.--Is properly applied to a print from a plate
engraved in TAILLE DOUCE (which see) but is often applied to
the plate itself.

LITHOGRAPHED.--Stamps printed from a design laid down on a stone
and neither raised nor depressed in the printing lines are
denoted by this term. And _see_ PRINTING.

LOCALS.--Stamps having a franking power within a definitely
restricted area.

MANILA.--_See_ PAPER.

MATRIX.--A counterpart impression in metal or other material from
an original die, and which in its turn is used to produce
copies exactly similar to the original die.

MILLIMETRE (MM.).--The one-thousandth part of a metre = .03937 inch.

MILL-SHEET.--_See_ SHEET.

MINT.--A term used to denote that a stamp or envelope, &c.,
is in exactly the same condition as when issued by the
post-office--unused, clean, unmutilated in the slightest degree
and with all the original gum undisturbed.

MIXED (PERFORATIONS).--In some of the 1901-7 stamps of New Zealand,
the original perforation was to some extent defective: such
portions of the sheet were patched with strips of paper on the
back and re-perforated, usually in a different gauge.

MOUNTED.--Usually applied to indicate that a stamp, which has been
trimmed close to the design, has had new margins added. And
_see_ FAKE.

NATIVE-MADE PAPER.--_See_ PAPER.

OBLITERATION.--A general term used for any mark employed to cancel
a stamp and so render it incapable of further use.

OBSOLETE.--Strictly, an obsolete stamp is one which has been
withdrawn from circulation and is no longer available for
postal use; but the term is often applied simply to old issues,
no longer on sale at the post-office.

ORIGINAL DIE.--The first engraved piece of metal, from which the
printing plates are directly or indirectly produced.

ORIGINAL GUM.--Practically all stamps were, before issue, gummed on
the back, and the actual gum so applied is known as "original":
the usual abbreviation is "o.g.": it is also implied in the
expression "MINT", which see.

OVERPRINT.--An inscription or device printed upon a stamp
additional to its original design. _Cf._ SURCHARGE.

PAIR.--Two stamps joined together as when originally printed.
Without qualification, a PAIR is generally accepted as being of
two stamps side by side: if a pair of two stamps joined top to
bottom is intended, it is spoken of as a _vertical_ pair.

A "Bisect," or "Bisected Provisional." The One Penny stamp of Jamaica was in 1861 permitted to be cut in halves diagonally, and each half used as a halfpenny stamp.]

PANE.--Entire sheets of stamps are frequently divided into sections
by means of one or more spaces running horizontally or (and)
vertically between similarly sized groups of stamps: each of
these sections or groups is termed a PANE.

PAPER.--The two main divisions of PAPER are HAND-MADE and
MACHINE-MADE: the former is manufactured, as its name
indicates, by hand, sheet by sheet, by means of a special
apparatus; the latter is made entirely by the aid of machinery
and generally in long continuous rolls, which are afterwards
cut up as required.

Each of these, apart from its substance, which may vary from the
thinnest of tissue papers to almost thin card, is divisible
according to its texture, distinguishable on being held up to
the light, into--

WOVE, of perfectly plain even texture, such as is generally
used for books.

LAID: this shows lines close together, usually with other
lines, an inch or so apart, crossing them--"cream laid"
notepaper is an example.

BÂTONNÉ is wove paper, with very distinct lines as wide apart
as those on ordinary ruled paper.

LAID BÂTONNÉ: similar to BÂTONNÉ, but the spaces between the
distinct lines are filled in with laid lines close together.

QUADRILLÉ paper is marked with small squares or oblongs.

REP is the term applied to WOVE paper which has been passed
between ridged rollers, so that it becomes, to use a
somewhat exaggerated description, corrugated: the small
elevation or ridge on one side of the paper coincides with
a depression or furrow on the other side--the thickness of
the paper is the same throughout.

RIBBED paper, on the other hand, is different from REP, in that
one side is smooth and the other is in alternate furrows
and ridges--the paper is thinner in the furrows than it is
on the ridges.

NATIVE paper, so called, is yellowish or greyish, often with
the feel and appearance of parchment; generally laid
somewhat irregularly, but often wove. The early issues of
Cashmere and some of the stamps and cards of Nepal are
printed on native paper: it is always hand-made.

PELURE is a very thin, hard, tough paper, usually greyish in
colour.

MANILA is a strong, light, but coarse paper, and is used for
wrappers, large envelopes, &c.; usually it is smooth on one
side and rough on the other.

SAFETY paper contains ingredients which would make it very
difficult, if not impossible, to remove an obliteration
in writing-ink without at the same time destroying the
impression of the stamp: usually this paper is more or less
blued, owing to the use of prussiate of potash, and its
combination with impurities arising in the manufacture.

GRANITE paper is almost white, with short coloured fibres in
it, sometimes very visible, but at others necessitating the
use of a magnifying glass.

DICKINSON paper, so called from its inventor, has a continuous
thread, or parallel threads, of silk in the centre of its
substance, embedded there in the pulp at an early stage of
the manufacture.

PARAPHE is the flourish which is sometimes added at the end of a
signature: examples on stamps are found in the 1873-6 issues of
Porto Rico.

PATTE.--French for the loose flap of an envelope; it is sometimes
(but incorrectly) used for ROSACE or TRESSE, the ornament on
the flap.

PELURE.--_See_ PAPER.

PEN-CANCELLED denotes cancellation by pen-and-ink, as opposed to
the more customary postmark; it usually implies fiscal use.

PERCÉ is a French term denoting slits or pricks, no part of the
paper being removed, in contradistinction to PERFORATED, in
which small discs of paper are punched out. There are several
kinds of PERÇAGE, or, in English, ROULETTING:--

PERCÉ EN ARC, the cuts being curved, so that, on severing a
pair of stamps, the edge of one shows small arches, whilst
the other has a series of small scallops, something like,
but more curved than, the perforations on the edges of an
ordinary perforated stamp.

PERCÉ EN LIGNE: the cuts or slits are straight, as if a
continuous line had been broken up into small sections.
This variety usually goes by the English term ROULETTED.

PERCÉ EN POINTE denotes that the slits are comparatively large
and cut evenly in zigzag, so that the edges of a stamp show
a series of equal-sided triangular projections.

PERCÉ EN POINTS, usually expressed as PIN-PERFORATED, implies a
pricking of holes with a sharp point, but without removal
of paper, which is merely pushed aside.

PERCÉ EN SCIE is somewhat similar to PERCÉ EN POINTE, except
that the slits are smaller and are cut in uneven zigzag
(alternately long and short), so that the edge of a severed
stamp is like that of a fine saw.

PERCÉ EN SERPENTIN occurs when the paper is cut in
comparatively large wavy curves of varying depth, with
little breaks in the cutting which serve to hold the stamps
together.

And _see_ PERFORATED and PERFORATION.

PERFORATED--in French PIQUÉ. This word implies removal of small
discs of paper, not simply slits or cuts. And _see_ PERCÉ.

PERFORATION is either "regular," where the number of holes within
a similar space is constant along the entire row; or, where
the number varies more or less, "irregular." The gauge of
the perforations (or roulettes) of a stamp is measured by a
PERFORATION-GAUGE, a piece of metal, card, or celluloid, on
which is engraved or printed a long series of rows of dots,
each row being two centimetres in length and containing a
varying number of dots from, say, 6 to 17 or 18.

A stamp, the edge of which shows holes (perforated)
corresponding in spacing and number to the row on the gauge
marked, say "12," is said to be "perforated 12." If the stamp
gauges the same on all four sides, it is simply "perforated
..."; if the top and bottom are of one gauge, say 12, and
the sides, say, 14, the stamp would be perforated "12 × 14."
If the gauge varies on each of the four sides--an unlikely
combination--then the order of noting same is, top (say 12),
right (say 11), bottom (say 13), and left (say 15)--"perforated
12 × 11 × 13 × 15." In the above the gauges are supposed to be
regular.

Should, however, the gauge be irregular, the extremes are noted
even if not showing on the stamp: for instance, a stamp may
be perforated with a machine, which, in its entire length,
gradually varies from 12 to 16 holes in the two centimetres,
though the stamp itself does not show all those gauges. Such a
stamp would be "perforated 12 to 16."

On the other hand, a row of perforations, instead of gradually
altering in gauge, may do so abruptly; for instance, along a
row of holes, part may gauge 14, the next part 16, and then
16½, all quite distinct over a particular space. This would
be termed "perforated 14, 16, 16½," implying that the
intermediate gauges did not exist.

The use of a regular machine, in conjunction with one
of irregular gauge, might produce, say, "perforated 14"
(horizontally) "× 12 to 15" (vertically); and so on.

Stamps perforated, horizontally and vertically, by differently
gauged machines are sometimes said to be "perforated, compound
of ... and ...". There are many difficulties in the way of
obtaining a full knowledge of the combinations and vagaries of
perforating-machines.

PERFORATION-GAUGE.--A means of measuring PERFORATION or ROULETTE,
which see.

PHILATELIC.--The adjective of PHILATELY.

PHILATELIST.--One who studies stamps.

PHILATELY--from two Greek words, "φίλος" (= fond of) and "ἀτέλεια"
(= exemption from tax)--signifies a fondness for things (_viz._,
stamps) which denote an exemption from tax, _i.e._, that the tax,
or postage, has been paid. The word is a little far-fetched to
imply the _study_ of stamps, but as "Philately" has been the
accepted term for over forty years, "Philately" it will doubtless
remain, even if some one succeeds in finding a word which more
accurately expresses the popular and scientific hobby.

PIN-PERFORATED.--_See_ PERCÉ.

PLATE is the term used, not always quite correctly, to describe
the ultimate reproductions from the die which constitute the
printing surface in the manufacture of stamps: the word covers
not only a sheet of metal with stamps engraved on it, but also
a group of CLICHÉS or a _forme_ of _printer's type_ and even a
_lithographic_ stone.

PLATE NUMBER is the consecutive number of each plate of a
particular value, appearing on the margin of the plates and (in
some of the British series) on the stamps themselves.

POSTAL-FISCAL is a fiscal stamp the use of which for postal
purposes has been duly authorised, in contradistinction to a
"fiscal postally used," a use which has been tacitly permitted
in many countries.

POSTAL STATIONERY, _i.e._, envelopes, postcards, letter-cards,
wrappers, telegram forms, &c.: frequently termed ENTIRES.

POSTMARK.--The official obliteration applied to a stamp to prevent
its further postal use.

PRE-CANCELLED.--Two or three countries have adopted the system, to
save time in the post-office, of supplying sheets of stamps
cancelled prior to use. This may be a convenience, but the
practice undoubtedly opens the door to possible fraud.

PRINT is an impression taken from any die, plate, forme, or stone.

PRINTING, in its fullest sense, is reproducing from a DIE, PLATE,
STEREOTYPE, &c. (all of which see). There are, on this
definition, four kinds of production: "Embossing," where
the paper is impressed with a raised design, by pressure
from a cut-out die (_see_ EMBOSSED); "Surface-printing" or
"typography," where the portions of the plate which receive
the ink and print the design are raised: this process causes
a slight indentation on the surface of the paper and a
corresponding elevation at the back; "Printing direct from
plate" (so-called LINE-ENGRAVED, which see), in which the
portions to be inked are recessed: in this process, the printed
design on the stamps is in very slight relief, due to the ink
being taken from the recessed engraving. "Lithography" is
printing from a stone, on which the design has been drawn or
otherwise laid down: impressions from a stone are flat.

PROOF.--An impression, properly in black, from the die, plate,
or stone, taken in order to see if the design, &c., has been
properly engraved or reproduced.

PROVISIONAL.--A make-shift intended to supply a temporary want of
the proper stamp, which may have been unexpectedly sold out, or
may not have been supplied owing to lack of time.

QUADRILLÉ.--_See_ PAPER.

RE-ISSUE denotes the bringing again into use of a stamp which has
become obsolete, or at any rate has been long out of use at the
post-office; it sometimes implies a new printing.

REMAINDERS.--Stamps printed during the period of issue and left on
hand when that issue has gone out of use.

REPRINT.--Strictly a REPRINT is an impression taken from the
identical original die, plate, stone, or block, after the
stamps printed therefrom have gone out of use. The term is used
to include printings from new plates or stones, made from the
original die. And _see_ GOVERNMENT IMITATIONS.

REP.--_See_ PAPER.

RETOUCH, RE-SET, RE-ENGRAVED, RE-DRAWN, RE-CUT.--All these terms
have a somewhat similar meaning, and imply repairs to, or
alterations of, the die, plates, stones, or blocks: instances
of most drastic re-engraving are known, _e.g._, that of the
1848 Two Pence ("Post Paid") of Mauritius, the plate of which
was so altered as to produce a practically new stamp, the Two
Pence, "large fillet," of 1859; and the Half Tornese "Arms"
of Naples, which had the entire centre removed from each of
the two hundred impressions on the plate and replaced by the
Cross of Savoy. To differentiate--_retouching_ is generally
undertaken to remedy minor defects caused by wear and tear:
_re-setting_ suggests slight re-arrangement of stamps made
up, wholly or partly, of printer's type; _re-engraving_, the
replacing of parts of a design worn away by use or intention:
_re-drawing_ rather leads one to infer that the original design
has been reproduced in an improved form; and _re-cutting_
implies going over the original die, &c., and strengthening the
engraving, with, perhaps, slight accidental variations of the
design.

REVENUE.--This word indicates availability for fiscal use, as
distinguished from postal use. A stamp may be available for
either purpose, or for one only; the use is almost invariably
indicated by the inscription.

REVERSED.--Backwards-way; "as in a looking-glass." The term
is often, but quite erroneously, used for INVERTED--which
see--implying upside-down.

RIBBED.--_See_ PAPER.

ROSACE.--The small ornament frequently found on the upper flap of
old envelopes; known also as TRESSE.

ROUGH PERFORATION.--When the holes in the lower plate of the
perforating-machine get damaged or partly clogged up, or the
punches are very worn, the perforation becomes very defective,
the little discs of paper not being punched out, but (though
generally distinct) left only partly cut through: this state is
termed "rough," but must not be confused with PERCÉ EN POINTS
(pin-perforated), which see.

ROULETTED.--_See_ PERCÉ.

ROULETTED IN COLOURED LINES is a variety of rouletting, and always
so termed, in which the slits or cuts are made by means of type
("printer's rule") a little higher than the CLICHÉS or STEREOS
composing the plate, and which cut into the paper under the
pressure of the printing-press.

SAFETY PAPER.--_See_ PAPER.

"SEEBECKS."--The late Mr. N. F. Seebeck, the contractor to various
South American Republics had an arrangement under which there
was a new issue of stamps every year, he to retain for his
own benefit any demonetised remainders of the previous set:
stamps provided under such conditions are called after their
originator.

SE TENANT.--A French expression signifying that the stamps
referred to have not been separated: usually employed in
reference to an error, or variety, when still forming a pair
with a normal stamp.

SERPENTINE ROULETTE.--_See_ PERCÉ EN SERPENTIN.

SHEET (OF PAPER).--There are three "sheets": a mill-sheet, as
manufactured; a sheet as printed, which may be, and often is,
less than a mill-sheet; and a "post-office" sheet, either the
whole or an arbitrary part of a printed sheet, so divided for
convenience of reckoning.

SILK-THREAD PAPER.--_See_ PAPER (DICKINSON).

SINGLE-LINE PERFORATION.--_See_ GUILLOTINE.

SPANDREL is the term for the triangular space between a circle,
oval, or curve, and the rectangular frame enclosing it.

SPECIALISING.--To develop in a collection a complete record of
the inception, history, and use of the stamps of a particular
country, or group of countries, in the fullest and most
detailed manner. In contradistinction to GENERALISING (which
see).

STATIONERY.--_See_ ENTIRES.

STEREOTYPE OR STEREO.--A reproduction of the original design, made
by means of a _papier-maché_ or other mould, in type-metal. And
see MATRIX.

STRIP is the philatelic term for three or more stamps unsevered and
in the same row, horizontal or vertical.

SURCHARGE.--An overprint (which see) which alters the face value
of a stamp, or confirms it in the same or a new currency. The
term is loosely used to mean any overprint, but it is desirable
that its application be confined to inscriptions affecting the
denomination of face-value.

SURFACE-PRINTED, that is, printed by a process in which the parts
of the plate, &c., which produce the coloured portions of the
stamp are raised up. _See_ PRINTING.

TAILLE DOUCE.--When a design is cut into the substance of the plate
it is said to be engraved in TAILLE DOUCE. A familiar example
is a visiting-card plate.

TÊTE-BÊCHE is a French expression signifying the inversion of one
stamp of a pair (or more) in relation to the other stamp (or
stamps): naturally, the peculiarity disappears on severance,
and such varieties must necessarily be in a pair or more.

TONED, as applied to paper, implies a very slight buff tint.

TRESSE.--_See_ ROSACE.

TRIALS.--These are impressions from die, plate, stone, &c., taken
to ascertain if the design be correct, or to assist in the
selection of a suitable colour.

Photograph of a flat steel _die_ engraved in _taille douce_ (_i.e._, with the lines of the design cut into the plate). The stamp is the 50 lepta of Greece, issue of 1901, showing Hermes adapted from the Mercury of Giovanni da Bologna.]

TYPE.--A representative common design, as distinguished from
"VARIETY," which indicates slight deviations therefrom.

TYPE-SET.--Stamps--_e.g._, the 1862 issue of British Guiana--have
sometimes been set up with ordinary _printer's type_, as used
for books, and the ornamental type-metal designs to be found in
a printing establishment.

TYPOGRAPHED.--_See_ SURFACE-PRINTED.

USED ABROAD.--Prior to certain countries and colonies having their
own stamps, British post-offices were established in them,
at which British stamps were to be purchased; such stamps,
identified by their postmarks as having been so used, are
termed "British _used abroad_." The stamps of other countries
have been similarly "used abroad."

VARIETY.--A slight variation from the normal design, or TYPE, which
see.

WATERMARKS.--A thinning of the substance of the paper, in the form
of letters, words, or designs, &c., during the manufacture.
On the paper being held up to the light, or placed on a dark
surface, the designs become more or less visible.

So-called "watermarks" are sometimes produced by impressing a
design on the paper _after_ manufacture; this has a somewhat
similar effect, though the paper is only pressed, not thinned.

WOVE.--_See_ PAPER.

WOVE BÂTONNÉ.--_See_ PAPER.

I

THE GENESIS OF THE POST