Batonné Paper
Watermarked with parallel lines far apart. Batonné paper describes its texture and is similar to laid paper but has far
Ballon Monté
A French expression meaning "balloon with pilot". It can be found on mail during the siege of Paris (1870-71). For
Bisect, Bisected Provisional
A stamp cut in half (vertically, horizontally or diagonally) for use at half the face value. The bisection by the
Block
An unseparated group of no fewer than four stamps.
Bleuté, or Blued Paper
Stamp paper which has acquired a bluish hue in its manufacture.
Booklets, Booklet Leaf, Booklet Sheet
Stamps issued in booklet form are printed in large sheets laid out on a different plan or imposition from regular
Bourse
That part of a stamp exhibition or fair, where dealers set up their stands to sell to collectors. Also the
Bull’s-eye Cancellation
A postmark, in which the city, state, and dates have been placed directly on the centre of a stamp, or
BEP
Bureau of Engraving, Washington, D.C., where all U.S. currency and almost all U.S. postage stamps have been produced, since 1894.
Bridger and Kaye Ltd (B&K)
London stamp dealers, who publish the Commonwealth catalogue, normally referred to as the “Commonwealth” or “B&K”.
British European Airways (BEA)
After 1951 it issued its own airmail stamps to cover fees on letters carried. The letters had to be handed
Bureau Precancels
Stamps, which are precancelled at the Bureau of Engraving.
Backstamp
Postmark applied to the back of incoming mail to show date and time of receipt at the receiving post office.
BPA Certificate
A certificate issued by an expert of the British Philatelic Association, which indicates the genuineness or otherwise of a stamp
Bogus
A fictitious stamplike label created for sale to collectors. Bogus issues include labels for nonexistent countries, nonexistent values appended to