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Simpsons Postage Stamps Definitions, Notes & Thanks! Explantions of the fields on each entry and definitions around philately. Created and Maintained by Bruce Gomes Sr. |
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Definitions, Notes & Thanks! |
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United States | ||
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Commemoratives (2009) |
Postal Cards (2009) |
First Day Covers (2009) |
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Other Official (2009) |
Art Prints (2009) |
Special Postmarks (2009) |
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Other Countries |
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Australia (2005) |
Romania (2004) |
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| Illegal Issues (purporting to be from:) | ||
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Kyrgyzstan (2000) |
Mauritania (2003) |
Soviet Republics (1999, 2001) |
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Congo (2004) |
China (2009) |
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Key Scott; Number assigned in The Scott catalogue of postage stamps, published by Scott Publishing Co., subsidiary of Amos Advantage. See here! for more information. Michel; Number assigned in The Michel stamp catalogue, largest stamp catalogue in Germany and known for a level of detail not available in the Scott catalogue, particularly around non-U.S. issues. See here! for more information. WNS; The WADP Numbering System was established in 2002 by the Universal Postal Union and the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP) to combat illegal stamps. See the section below for more information about illegal stamps. More information about the WADP Numbering System can be found here!. To look up a stamp in the WNS, see here! Date of Issue: The date the issuing authority issued the stamp, as opposed to... Dated: The date found on an illegal stamp. Naturally we do not know for certain when the stamp was illegally printed, but the dates found on Simpson stamps are approximately correct. This makes sense, since to date it earlier could predate the episode or source it was taken from and prove it's illegality, but more importantly, older stamps are more likely to be known and hence would make it more apparent they were illegal. For the same reasons stamps can't be post-dated! Place of Issue: The post office location(s) authorized to issue First Day of Issue postmarks, specially chosen in connection with the stamp, and near where the First Day of Issue ceremony takes place. Perforation: The numbers of perforations (holes!) per 2 cm. (.78 ") in length, which can accurately be measured with a stamp gauge. This is extremely important for rare stamps issued with different perforation sizes. Note that height and width can (rarely) use different perforations. self-adhesive: Also referred to as pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) stamps by the USPS, these stamps are peeled off a backing and can than be affixed to envelopes without further preparation. gummed: These stamps have a dry glue that must be moistened to be affixed to envelopes. |
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Legal and Illegal Stamps
Legitimate stamps are, of course, stamps that are authorized for production by the country that issued them. Most countries are members of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and many are also registerd with the World Number System (WNS) through which they register the stamps they've issued. One area of legitimate stamps published by countries are Souvenir Sheets (or miniature sheets). Early Souvenir stamps were often issued to commerate a specific event and have often become relatively valuable. They will often consist of one or a few stamps embedded in a larger sheet with information about the event being commemorated, and the stamps may be imperforate or perforated. Over the past 50 years however countries have generally issued souveneir sheets more with the goal of making a profit than to commemorate an event. This practice however has opened the door for illegal stamps and specifically for the Simpsons stamps documented within our web site, particularly since it may be difficult to verify the authenticity of a souvenir sheet. Countries encountering this practice will often issue bulletins through the Universal Postal Union (UPU) warning of the problem, and we've supplied links to the general or specific bulletins from those countries on the illegal stamp issues. An index to illegal stamp bulletins issued from 2003 to 2013 can be found here!; Bulletins back to at least 1999 are also archived there but are difficult to locate; feel free to contact us for additional information. Note that illegal stamps defines any stamp not authorized for production by the country that issued them. This general term also includes categories with specific and preferred terminology as follows; Forgeries are copies of rare and valuable stamps produced to be fraudulently sold to collectors as genuine stamps. These are produced in small quantities and as single stamps. As a result of forgeries many rare and valuable stamps are sold with certificates of authenticity. Forgeries also include common stamps that are modified to imitate a rare variety. (By this definition there are no known Simpsons forgeries) Counterfeit stamps are illegal copies of current stamps (sold sometimes below face value) to be used fraudulently for postal services. (By this definition there are no known Simpsons counterfeit stamps) First Day of Issue A special postmark used by a specially selected post office (or sometimes multiple specially selected post offices) on the first day the stamp is made available. These specifically say "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE" and are not to be confused with other postmarks issued the same day at other post offices that are officially titled "First Day of Sale" postmarks. "First Day of Sale" postmarks, including special pictorial postmarks that are made available at other post offices, are distinguished simply by the issue date for that stamp. Note that the special pictorial postmarks may be used on subsequent days after the first day of sale. Envelopes and postcards with the special "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE" postmark are referred to as First Day Covers. Note that the post office will also use the "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE" postmark on the ceremony program envelope and on 8 x 10 1/2 "American Commerative Cancellations" (renamed from Souvenir Pages in 2002) issued for all stamps since 1972 (with a few exceptions in 2000). Third party companies offer First Day Covers with a specially designed envelope that includes art known as a "cachet" that is correlated with the stamp. For the Simpsons stamps these various companies each produced at least five different cachets, one for each stamp. Other Non-Postal Stamps Stamps issued without a country name on them and for decorative purposes or, for example, in support of a cause are called Cinderella stamps. Everything from Christmas seals to Simpsons Stickers (such as those issued by Hallmark or Panini) are Cinderella stamps. Ironically, the USPS issued a set of 39 cent stamps in 2006 with Disney images including Cinderella which are not Cinderella stamps. Postal Cards Postal Cards, as in The Simpsons U.S. Postal Cards, have the postage pre-printed on them by the relevant postal authority, as opposed to simple postcards, which are usually printed by a private company and require a stamp for mailing. Thanks!!! Key details revealing the source of the images for the illegal stamps were supplied by members of no.homers, the leading Simpsons discussion board on the net. Contibutions received included those from; -- Gran2 at no.homers -- Your name here! Thanks!!! |
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| Back to Index |
Definitions, Notes & Thanks! |
|
|
United States | ||
|
Commemoratives (2009) |
Postal Cards (2009) |
First Day Covers (2009) |
|
Other Official (2009) |
Art Prints (2009) |
Special Postmarks (2009) |
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Other Countries |
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Australia (2005) |
Romania (2004) |
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| Illegal Issues (purporting to be from:) | ||
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Kyrgyzstan (2000) |
Mauritania (2003) |
Soviet Republics (1999, 2001) |
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Congo (2004) |
China (2009) |
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All stamps and postal icons are copyright 2009 United States Postal Service.. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, duplication or distribution is prohibited. These web pages, its operators and any content contained herein related to USPS are not authorized by the postal service. All Simpsons images/sounds are TM and copyright 2009 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. |
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