To economise paper stock during the 1914-18 war, paper of poor quality was used for the manufacture of French and

A description used in some catalogues for definitive stamps, where such issues are shown separately from special issues such as

Abbreviations for : General Post Office, Government Printing Office.

An unused stamp is normally to be preserved with its original gum (O.G.); stamp hinges properly used will preserve the

The spaces left between stamps for perforation or cutting apart. The wider margin between panes is a pane margin. If

A single straight line of perforating punches, perforating one line at a time in one direction; operated on the up-and-down

Marks used as guides in entering plates or laying down lithographic stones in alignment. They may merge in the stamp

A plain rectangular embossing on some early United States and Peruvian stamps. It was effected by rolling cylinders with pyramidal

See Official Imitations.

In modern stamp manufacture, the gummed surface of the paper is broken up into minute sections by being drawn across

See Grande Consommation.

The former name of the British Post Office, originally established in 1609 by an Act of Parliament.