Introduction to Non-Standard Philatelic Material
Stamp collecting is a highly flexible hobby that accommodates many different interests, ages, and budgets. While traditional postage stamps are the most common focus, many philatelists expand their collections to include non-standard philatelic material. This broad category includes items like Christmas Seals, revenue stamps, postage meters, and other postal ephemera. Collecting these items allows you to explore the wider history of mail carriage and document delivery without requiring great wealth or specialized skills. By understanding how to identify and handle these unique items, you can build a diverse and personally meaningful collection.
Identifying Christmas Seals and Charity Labels
Christmas Seals and other charity labels are popular examples of non-standard philatelic ephemera. Unlike traditional postage stamps, these labels do not represent the prepayment of mail carriage. Instead, they are typically produced by charitable organizations to raise funds and awareness. Because they lack postal validity, they will not feature standard postal denominations or country names in the same manner as official government issues. When you encounter a colorful label that resembles a stamp but lacks a denomination or official country inscription, it is highly likely to be a charity seal or similar ephemera. Identifying these items can sometimes be challenging because they may not appear in standard postage stamp catalogs, requiring collectors to consult specialized guides or online databases.
Understanding Revenue Stamps and Postage Meters
Revenue stamps and postage meters represent other fascinating branches of non-traditional philately. Revenue stamps are issued by governments to indicate the payment of taxes or fees on documents, goods, or services rather than the carriage of mail. Because they are official government issues, they often feature intricate designs similar to postage stamps but are clearly marked for fiscal or revenue use. Postage meters, on the other hand, are printed markings or labels applied directly to mail to show that postage has been prepaid. These markings are often collected as part of a broader study of postal history. Identifying these items involves looking closely at the inscriptions and markings to determine whether they represent tax payments, commercial postage, or standard government mail services.
Collecting Postal Covers and Historical Ephemera
Many collectors prefer to keep historical envelopes, known as covers, intact rather than removing the stamps. Covers provide valuable context about how mail was carried, including the postmarks, transit markings, and labels applied during delivery. In the era before the invention of the adhesive postage stamp by Sir Rowland Hill in 1840, mail delivery was paid for by the recipient. Some senders even devised secret codes on the outside of envelopes so the recipient could read the message and refuse the letter to avoid payment. Collecting these early covers and analyzing their markings offers a direct window into historical communication methods. Keeping these envelopes intact preserves their historical integrity and prevents the physical damage that can occur when attempting to separate stamps from their original paper.
Safe Handling and Preservation Techniques
Preserving non-standard philatelic material requires the same careful methodology used for rare postage stamps. You should always handle your items as little as possible to keep them in good condition. Even clean hands carry natural skin oils that can damage delicate paper over time, so using professional stamp tongs with a smooth gripping surface is highly recommended. When organizing your collection, store your items in dedicated stamp albums or stock books featuring acid-free paper. Never use photo albums with sticky pages, tape, or household glue, as these adhesives will cause permanent damage and severely decrease the value of your material. For mounting individual items, use specialized translucent paper hinges or clear plastic mounts designed specifically for philatelic preservation.
Tools for Identification and Organization
To properly identify and organize your non-standard items, a few basic tools are invaluable. A high-quality magnifying glass with 5x to 10x magnification is essential for examining fine details, inscriptions, and printing methods without distortion. A perforation gauge can help you measure the spacing of holes on the edges of perforated seals and revenue stamps by matching them against a standard scale. While standard stamp catalogs are excellent reference books for official issues, identifying unusual ephemera often involves some uncertainty. You can use StampSnap to scan your items and create a likely identification or digital collection record, helping you organize your findings systematically while you conduct further research.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a postage stamp and a revenue stamp?
Postage stamps represent the prepayment of mail carriage, while revenue stamps are used to indicate the payment of taxes or fees on documents, goods, or services.
Can I use standard stamp catalogs to identify Christmas Seals and charity labels?
While stamp catalogs are excellent reference books for official postal issues, they may not list non-postal items like Christmas Seals or charity labels. You may need specialized guides or online resources to identify these ephemera.
Why should I avoid using tape or glue to mount my ephemera?
Using tape or household glue will decrease the value of your items and cause permanent physical damage when you attempt to remove them. Instead, use specialized philatelic hinges or clear plastic mounts.
What are postal covers and why do philatelists collect them?
Covers are envelopes that carried mail. Philatelists collect them because they preserve historical markings, postmarks, and labels that show how mail was processed and delivered.