Test Your Stamp Knowledge

What is the difference between gummed and self-adhesive stamps?

Perforations are used on stamps to allow stamps to become easily detached from one and other; and the different perforations used for the (peel and stick) self-adhesive and gummed stamps allows the user to identify the stamp. By cutting rows and columns of small holes the gummed stamps are perforated. These will be of identical size on the four sides of said stamp.

A metal die is used to cut the self-adhesive stamps. A specific die can be made to cut stamps in in any given shape, for example self-adhering stamps have a flat straight edge to their tops and bottoms.

I wish to remove a self-adhesive stamp off an envelope?
Two layers of adhesive are used in self-adhesive stamps. The first layer is the bonding tack that sticks the stamp to the envelope; the second layer is a water-soluble adhesive that is between the stamp paper and the self adhesive tack. The water-soluble layer is there so that The collectors appreciate this water soluble layer as they can obtain good used copies.
Because the varnish virtually creates a water seal on one side while on the other the self-adhesive tack is practically waterproof soaking in plain water means that it cannot touch the water-soluble layer effectively.
So in a tried and true fashion and to give the water a chance to dissolve the soluble layer the water needs to be really hot and the stamps need to be soaked for about a half an hour. The stamps should be able to be then gently eased off the paper. When the stamps are dry any remaining glue should be removed very gently with tweezers or with an art gum eraser.

What does CTO mean?
The stamp is postmarked by CTO which stands for "cancelled to order. This means that the stamp has been postmarked without being actually posted.

I have a stamp that has been marked with the letters OS. What does this mean?
OS stands for official/government service. Not Overseas as I first thought! There are two types of "OS" stamps. A perforated OS meaning this is where holes have been punched though the stamp to form the OS letters. The other type is where the OS is overprinted onto the OS stamps – in other words the letters OS have been printed onto the stamp.

What does FDI mean?
FDI stands for "first day of issue" of a stamp. The first day of issue postmark is applicable only to stamps being released on that first day of issue.

What does 'mint" mean?
A "mint" stamp is one that is as the same as the day it was issued by Australia Post. The stamp has not been through the postal service and has not been postmarked by Australia Post nor has the gum or adhesive been altered in any way.

What is the difference between maximum cards and postcards?

With every new Australian stamp issue a maximum card is released and in effect these are souvenir picture postcards. The stamp is placed onto the viewing side of the card next to the card illustration and the specially designed postmark. Maximum cards also have a postage paid imprint, on the non pictorial side of the card, so allowing them to be posted both in Australia and by air mail worldwide.

Postcards feature a printed image of a stamp as related to the specific pictorial image of the card.

When was the Year Book/First Annual collection released?
In 1981 the Annual Collection of Australian Stamps was issued by Australia Post this offered collectors the opportunity to buy a full year of Australian stamps at once, which is comprehensively collated with all background stamp issue information. The Australian Stamp Annual Collection has been released by Australia Post annually since 1981.

"First Day of Issue" is only available for four weeks – Why is that?
Because Australia Post has regulated that first day of issues (FDI) are available for a four week period from the date of release. This creates a demand for a collectible product because of limited availability.