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.
Parcel Postmark
A postal marking used for parcel post.
Parcel Stamps
Adhesives used for the prepayment of parcel postage.
Parcelforce
Name of Royal Mail parcel service.
Parliamentary Envelopes
Preprinted stationery that could only be bought and posted by Members of Parliament from 16 January 1840 following the abolition of franking of letters by Members from 10 January. This ceased once adhesives were issued on 6 May 1840.
Part Perforation
A stamp where the perforation is incomplete.
Patriotic Cover
Pictorial covers with a patriotic theme used in wartime to raise morale.
Pay and Go
Customer operated machine trialled in three locations in 2007 for letters only.
PD
A handstamp applied to covers indicating postage has been paid to destination.
Peace & Commerce
French and Colonial key type introduced in 1876.
Peace & Navigation
French Colonial key type adopted in 1892.
Pearls
Design feature consisting of solid or outlined circles.
Pelure Paper
(French) Very thin, hard and rough paper.
Pen Cancellation
Postal defacement applied by pen and ink to a postage stamp.
Penalty Stamps & Stationary
Stationery intended for use on official correspondence in the USA with a warning printed on the envelope that improper use may incur a penalty.
Penny Black
World's first adhesive postage stamp introduced in Great Britain in 1840.
Penny Post
A postal service delivering letters within a limited area for a penny.
Penny Red
1d stamps of Great Britain successors to the Penny Black.
Perçue
(French) Paid.
Percé
(French) Pierced.
Percé en Arc
(French) Arc pierced.
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