What
Kinds of Stamps Are There?
Before you decide what to collect, it may be helpful to understand what kinds of stamps there are and how they are classified.
The Classification of stamps include:
- Stamp Types -- definitive, commemorative, and special
- Formats -- sheet, coil and booklet
- Purpose -- regular, special delivery, postage due and airmail
- Condition -- used, unused, or mint
Lets discuss these classifications.
Stamp
Types
The terms "definitive" and "commemorative" are regularly used to define specific types of stamps, and for many years these terms seemed very clear. But lately some definitives and commemoratives have become harder to tell apart. While the general guidelines for distinguishing definitives and commemoratives are still useful, exceptions to these guidelines have become more common.
Definitive: The world of stamps began with a definitive issue, Great Britain's "Penny Black" on May 6, 1840. The first U.S. stamps issued in 1847 were also definitives depicting Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Initially all stamps were definitives picturing people -- royalty for most stamps from British Commonwealth countries and dead presidents and other famous people for the United States. In fact, it was 22 years before a U.S. postage stamp showed anything other than a portrait of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, or Andrew Jackson. Today, many definitives still show people although recently the U.S. flag and the White House also have been frequently used. Definitives are generally described as small in size, plain in design (often a single color is used) and can be issued at the first-class rate or in different denominations to pay for different rates or to be used as makeup postage for when the rates go up. They are printed in large quantities and remain on sale for an indefinite period of time, usually until the first-class rate changes. Typically, when the supply of one of these stamps run out, more are printed, and if the printing plates wear out, new plates are created.
Commemorative: - In the late 1800's citizens began to ask the post office to honor historical events. The first U.S. stamps issued to specifically commemorate our history were issued in 1893 -- the Columbian Exposition issues -- to celebrate Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World. Since then many stamps have been issued to commemorate statehood anniversaries, organizations, and promote causes. Commemoratives are usually printed in much smaller quantities, for recent U.S. issues typically 100 to 200 million compared to billions for many definitives. Once the initial printing of these commemorative stamps are all sold, they are not usually reprinted. Commemoratives are usually larger in size, about twice the size of most definitives, and almost always pay the standard first class rate. They may show a person but when they do they are normally issued on a significant (for example 100th or 200th) anniversary of their birth.
Special - In recent years some collectors have defined a third type of stamp which shares characteristics of both definitives and commemoratives, these are known as Special. For the U.S. almost all of these are Christmas or Love stamps. Most often these stamps are larger in size like commemoratives. They also are issued for the common rates, however, if the supply runs low they may be reprinted and they may remain on sale for longer periods of time.
Formats
A second common method of classifying stamps is by the format in which they are issued. Originally almost all stamps were issued in sheets (or panes) of stamps. However, in the 1900's two other formats have become popular: coils and booklets. Coils, long strips of stamps (usually a roll of stamps, one stamp wide), made it much easier for stamps to be sold through vending machines, allowing the public to obtain stamps even when the post office is closed. Booklets offer convenience for customers as the stamps can be more easily kept in a wallet or purse.
Purpose
Another way to classify stamps is by their purpose for which they were issued. Most stamps are called "regulars" because they are intended for use on regular mail. However, very shortly after the first issuance of postage stamps, postage due stamps were printed to show the collection of money when insufficient postage was applied to a letter. U.S. postage stamps for Special Delivery service also were issued in the 1800's. Beginning in 1918 the United States issued stamps for airmail service. Stamps also have been issued for a number of other special services, including Parcel Post and Registration.
Condition
Another key characteristic of a stamp is whether or not it has been used. A stamp that has not been used and is still in the same condition as when issued by the Postal Service is called mint. If a stamp has not been used but has been affixed to an album with a hinge, the gum has been disturbed so it is no longer in mint condition and is called unused. A stamp that has served its purpose of paying for the delivery of a letter, normally as evidenced by a postmark or cancellation is called used.
While these are the most common methods of stamp classification, a number of other characteristics of stamps are used. Stamps may be divided based upon whether they have perforations (holes punched between stamps to make it easier to separate them). If they do not, they are called imperforate. Stamps also can be classified by the type of printing or whether they have a watermark.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the characteristics of stamps, it is time to decide what type of collection you want to start. There are different types of collections: worldwide, country, topical, etc. The decision is yours, but perhaps we can help you decide what type of collection is best for you. Click here to go to the next section entitled "What to Collect?".
