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.
Percé en Lignes
(French) Line pierced.
Percé en Lignes de Couleur
(French) Line pierced in colour.
Percé en Lignes Obliques
(French) Pierce in oblique lines.
Percé en Losanges
(French) Lozenge pierced.
Percé en Pointes
(French) Zig-Zag pierced.
Percé en Points
(French) Pin Pierced or perforated.
Percé en Scie
(French) Saw toothed pierced.
Percé en Serpentine
(French) Pierced in wavy lines.
Percussion à Froid
Method of striking dies and punches in cold metal.
Perfins
Stamps which have been perforated with a series of holes arranged to form letters e.g. initials of companies, or other outlines to protect commercial firms against theft of stamps.
Perforation
A means of making the separation of individual stamps easier by removing small pieces of paper from gutters between the stamps. (q.v Chad) The gauge of the perforation is denoted by the number of holes in a space of 2cms (perf 14 etc).
Perforation Gauge
An instrument designed to enable the gauge of perforations of stamps. Invented by Dr J.A Legrand who gave it the name "Odontométre" (q.v).
Perkins Bacon Press
The method of producing line engraved plates invented by Jacob Perkins.
Perkins Paper
An azure safety paper invented by Dr Perkins and used on the 1855-6 and other GB issues.
Permit Mailing
The authorised posting of mail without adhesive stamps.
Personal Delivery Stamps
Stamps issued to ensure that mail was delivered to the addressee only.
Personalised (Customised) Stamps
Stamps with a non postal label attached bearing an image derived from a personal photograph.
PF
(French) Payée à Frontier. Postage prepaid to the frontier of a country .
Phantasy
A Bogus stamp.
Philatelic Agencies
Commercial organisations which handle the philatelic sales and publicity of a country's stamps.
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