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
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  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

Q.D.C.

(Quem Deus Conservet/Whom God Preserve) Often found in manuscript below the named ship added to early ship letters (q.v) as a talisman.


QEII

Queen Elizabeth the Second of Great Britain.


Quadrillé

Term used to describe an album leaf printed with a fine network of squares as a guide for the arrangement of stamps.


Quadrillé Paper

Paper watermarked with crossed lines forming a pattern of small squares or rectangles.


Quartz Lamp

An electric lamp incorporating a filament in transparent fused quartz, emitting ultraviolet rays.


Quatrefoil Watermark

A compound leaf or flower design with four leaflets or petals radiating from the centre.


Queen Enthroned

Name for stamps of Victoria 1852 showing a design with Queen Victoria seated on a throne.


QV

Queen Victoria


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