Philatelic Glossary

This glossary has been compiled from various different sources. Some of the terms have been reproduced with kind permission from the Stanley Gibbons Philatelic Terms Illustrated by James Mackay. If you think a term is missing please e-mail us.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z

KEVII

King Edward the Seventh of Great Britain.


KEVIII

King Edward the Eighth of Great Britain.


Key Plate

The plate which prints the general, common, design on stamps, specifically certain British Commonwealth issues such as the monarch's head. The country name/denomination etc, was printed separately.


Key Type

Term for uniform design used in stamps of many colonial empires in the 19th & 20th centuries.


KGV

King George the Fifth of Great Britain.


KGVI

King George the Sixth of Great Britain.


Killer Cancellation

A cancellation that completely obliterates a postage stamp.


Kiloware

Used stamps on piece sold by weight.


Krag Machine

Stamp cancelling machine used in sorting offices for many years. It created a continuous cancellation across the envelope. The circular datestamp was separated by lines or a slogan.


Page 1 of 1 (9 records)

You may also be interested in...

Philatelic products

Philatelic products

Browse our range of limited edition philatelic products

Choose from a selection of commemorative postcards and covers, and limited edition stamp sheets.


 

Philatelic Research

Philatelic Research

Our guide to conducting philatelic research at the Royal Mail Archive

Find out how to study our collection of unique registration sheets, metal dies and plates, and modern stamp artwork.


 

Volunteers

Volunteers

Volunteers offer us invaluable support - and extra help is always welcome!

Our volunteers have helped catalogue our collection, run our events, and more. Find out how to get involved.


 



 
 
Mind Unit - websites, content management and email marketing for the arts