Philately — postage stamps and postal history

How to research an object in this section

1. Step 1

   Observe

   Record every visible mark, inscription, measurement and material before forming an opinion.

2. Step 2

   Classify

   Choose the sub-field below and narrow by issuer or maker, era and type.

3. Step 3

   Compare

   Match against photographed records and the evidence checks further down this page.

4. Step 4

   Cite

   Keep the source behind each fact; mark anything unconfirmed as research required.

Sub-fields

Photographed records

Entries in this section with a real-object photograph held on this site. The record lists its credit, source and stated rights status.

Numérisation : User:Yuu UKIBASHI, via Wikimedia Commons

stamps

"Return of Peace" issue, Algeria, 1963

1963

The "Return of Peace" issue comprises 8 postage stamps released by Algeria on 6 January 1963. The StampWorld catalogue lists 8 stamps in the issue (StampWorld numbers 395–402), printed in 8 design types. Values and colours recorded for the issue: 0.05Fr multicoloured; 0.10Fr multicoloured; 0.25Fr multicoloured; 0.95Fr multicoloured; 1.00Fr multicoloured; 2.00Fr multicoloured; 5.00Fr multicoloured; 10.00Fr multicoloured. Perforation: 12½. No watermark is recorded. Quantities issued, as recorded: 0.05Fr 5.275.000; 0.10Fr 9.100.000; 0.25Fr 50.800.000; 0.95Fr 5.025.000; 1.00Fr 4.650.000; 2.00Fr 1.500.000; 5.00Fr 400.000; 10.00Fr 240.000.

Documented

Partial type record

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

stamps

$2 Alexander Hamilton Beer revenue stamp single

1871

$2 Alexander Hamilton Beer revenue stamp single — revenue stamp in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum collection (object 1999.2018.468), catalogued by the museum as Scott USA REA29. Dated by the museum: 1871. Medium: paper; ink (red brown / black). Scott's REA numbers cover United States beer stamps, used to show that the federal tax on a barrel or keg of beer had been paid.

Documented

Partial type record

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

stamps

$2 Columbus in Chains single

1893

$2 Columbus in Chains single — postage stamp in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum collection (object 1980.2493.1639), catalogued by the museum as Scott USA 242. Dated by the museum: 1893. Depicts: Christopher Columbus, Italian, 1451 - 1506. Medium: paper; ink (brown red) / engraving.

Documented

Partial type record

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

stamps

$2.60 Graf Zeppelin Passing Globe forgery single

c. 1930-1938

$2.60 Graf Zeppelin Passing Globe forgery single — postage stamp in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum collection (object 0.197716.4), catalogued by the museum as Scott USA C15. Dated by the museum: c. 1930-1938. Medium: paper; ink (blue). Scott's C numbers cover United States airmail stamps. This entry documents a forgery or facsimile, kept as a reference for distinguishing genuine stamps.

Documented

Partial type record

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

stamps

$20 Documentary Conveyance revenue stamp single

1862

$20 Documentary Conveyance revenue stamp single — revenue stamp in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum collection (object 1998.2013.3254.1), catalogued by the museum as Scott USA R98a. Dated by the museum: 1862. Medium: paper; ink (orange). Scott's R numbers cover the general (documentary) revenue stamps of the United States. From 1862 the federal government taxed documents such as deeds, contracts, bank cheques and receipts to help pay for the Civil War, and adhesive stamps were cancelled on the paper to show the tax had been paid.

Documented

Partial type record

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

stamps

$200 Documentary Internal Revenue revenue stamp single

1862

$200 Documentary Internal Revenue revenue stamp single — revenue stamp in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum collection (object 1998.2013.3258.1), catalogued by the museum as Scott USA R102c. Dated by the museum: 1862. Medium: paper; ink (green, red). Scott's R numbers cover the general (documentary) revenue stamps of the United States. From 1862 the federal government taxed documents such as deeds, contracts, bank cheques and receipts to help pay for the Civil War, and adhesive stamps were cancelled on the paper to show the tax had been paid.

Documented

Partial type record

Identification evidence at a glance

Administration and purpose

Record and compareRecord denomination, currency, inscriptions and any official, postage-due, local-post or revenue wording.

Limits of the evidenceAdhesive format alone does not establish postage use; seals and revenue stamps require separate classification.

Design and separation

Record and compareCompare frame details, lettering and corner marks. Gauge horizontal and vertical perforations separately per 20 mm.

Limits of the evidenceA screen image has no reliable physical scale. Missing teeth or cut margins are not proof of an imperforate issue.

Watermark and paper

Record and compareRecord a watermark only when observed or explicitly documented for the museum specimen; distinguish orientation and partial devices.

Limits of the evidenceA face scan usually cannot resolve watermarks, gum or paper thickness. Do not detach a stamp from its cover.

Printing and overprints

Record and compareCompare line structure, screen patterns, lettering position and overprint relationship with the underlying design.

Limits of the evidenceColour varies with fading, lighting and scanning; dot patterns alone do not distinguish every printing process.

Issue versus postal use

Record and compareSeparate the source's issue date from a cancellation date; retain cover context, plate markings and museum identifier.

Limits of the evidenceA postmark dates use, not printing. Authentication of an overprint, cancellation or altered perforation needs expert examination.

Collecting, value research and care

Issuing authorities and makers

Objects stay filed under the historical entity that issued or made them, not its modern successor.