Role as Basis for Other Philatelic Products

In addition to postage stamps themselves, there are ranges of other philatelic products which also constitute a philatelist’s paradise and this range is constantly increasing. Postal stationery of various types, First Day Covers or FDCs or special cancellations or regular ones, and philatelic souvenirs are the usual items for lovers of philately.

Among postage stamps too, philatelists are eager to collect used and unused ones, issued in singles or as sets, and those used on covers, and bearing cancellations of the date-stamp of the office of posting or other special cancellations, or stamps without any cancellations. Philatelists also collect paper qualities and types of printing, varieties in perforations, watermarks and the gum used.

Some other items that are of great interest to philatelists for their rarity or value are: Essays, that is, stamp designs submitted but not accepted or accepted after alterations; proofs, which are sample prints of stamp designs and which includes die proofs, plate proofs and colour proofs; cachets, which are printed or hand-stamped or embossed text or graphic combinations impressed on cover; specimens or samples of printing.

However, flaws or errors in postage stamps perhaps tend to excite the philatelists most. These are stamps bearing a blemish in design due to the engraving, plate, making or printing process or any other errors in perforations, ink, lettering, double print etc., but which has been inadvertently issued by the postal administration to the public. Owing to their rarity and subject to their condition, these stamps have higher ‘market value’ in comparison to their face value, and also in comparison to what is known as ’constant variety’ or a flaw or error repeating throughout an issue or on a part of it.

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