Terms Used In Expertizing Covers
To help collectors better understand the information on The Philatelic Foundation’s certificates of opinion, the PF’s Expert Committee has developed definitions of terms for covers. It uses these terms in the opinions on the certificates it issues for covers it expertizes. The definitions reflect the experience and comments of more than half of the PF’s current consultants among collectors, dealers and auctioneers. The PF has prepared these definitions because of the notable increase in the number of covers that owners have been submitting for expertization.
| Cover Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Cover | An envelope showing evidence of usage, with or without contents. |
| Cover front | An envelope lacking all or most of its back. |
| Entire | A complete envelope or aerogram with a stamped impression (indicium) of denomination. |
| Folded address sheet (FAS) | The outer sheet of a folded letter with address but without any or most of written message. |
| Folded letter (FL) | An intact letter including written message, with addressing and postal markings on the outer side, as originally folded for mailing. |
| Large part of folded address sheet (FAS) | A folded outer sheet usually missing its top, bottom and/or side fold-overs, and usually without any part of a written message. |
| Piece | Part of a folded letter, cover or package with adhesive(s) and/or postal marking(s). |
| Postal card | A complete postcard with a stamped impression indicium) of denomination on the address side. |
| Wrapper | A complete strip of paper gummed along one end and bearing a stamped impression (indicium) of denomination. A home-made circular band for mailing printed matter lacks both gum and indicium. |
| Front Conditions | |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | This is mentioned only when the cleaning process has noticeably faded or otherwise altered the paper, adhesives, postal markings or addressing. Light cleaning to remove normal grime is not mentioned. |
| Cover reduction | This is noted only when a significant portion (usually 10 percent or more) has been removed or when the missing portion affects adhesives, postal markings, addressing, an illustrated comer card or an illustration. |
| Creases | These are noted only when they affect adhesives or postal markings, or have caused extensive damage to a cover. |
| Cut-out or obliterated addresses | Cut-out addresses are mentioned, but obliterated addresses are mentioned only when they affect adhesives or postal markings. |
| Disinfection slits and holes | These are noted when they are accompanied by an indicative handstamp. |
| Docketing | Such contemporary writing is noted only when it affects any adhesives. |
| File folds | Such intentional contemporary folds are mentioned only when they affect adhesives or postal markings or have caused extensive damage to a cover. |
| Holes/missing pieces | These are noted only when they disfigure a cover or affect adhesives, postal markings, addressing or illustrations. |
| Staining/toning | These are noted only when they are easily visible. Small spots and wax seal stains are not usually noted. |
| Scrapes/gouges | These are noted only when they affect adhesives, postal markings or addressing, or when they materially affect an illustration or other parts of a cover. |
| Tears | These are mentioned only when they affect adhesives, postal markings or addressing, or when they are extensive enough (usually more than a half inch) to affect the body of a cover. |
| Back Conditions | |
|---|---|
| Extraneous writing | This is normally not mentioned. |
| Missing portions | These are mentioned only when substantial portions of back flaps and/or side flaps (half or more) are missing. |
| Replacements | These are mentioned when portions of back flaps and/or side flaps have been added. |
| Staining/toning | When these are entirely on the reverse side, they are usually noted only in cases of noticeable discoloration. Wax seal stains are not usually noted. |
| Restoration or Repairing | |
|---|---|
| Closed tears | These are mentioned only when they affect adhesives, postal markings or addressing, or when they are extensive enough (usually more than a half inch) to affect the body of a cover. |
| Re-inking | The use of ink to recreate or darken a postal marking or address is noted. |
| Replacements | The addition of pieces are noted, including portions of the front, entire backs, back flaps, side flaps, and extensions to regain the full size of a cover. |
| Retouching | The use of ink or pencil to enhance a postal marking is noted. |
| Adhesives on Cover | |
|---|---|
| Additions | Any adhesive not originally on a cover is mentioned. |
| Bisect on cover | A bisect (or other fraction) is considered genuine only when the cancellation is applied across the cut or when sufficient collateral documentation exists to verify authenticity. |
| Counterfeit postal markings | The counterfeiting of a postal marking on either an adhesive or cover is noted. |
| Missing Adhesives | Any case where an adhesive is no longer on a cover is noted. |
| Removed or altered postal markings | Removal or alteration of a postal marking on either an adhesive or a cover is noted. |
| Removed and replaced | When an adhesive originally on a cover has been removed and replaced, this is noted when the adhesive is no longer in its original location or when there is other physical evidence of removal. |
| Substitutions | Any adhesive substituted for one originally on a cover is mentioned. |
| Adhesive Faults | |
|---|---|
| Faults | The following adhesive faults are noted: |
| Repairs | |
| Trimmed perforations | |
| Pulled perforations | |
| Reperforation | |
| Tears | |
| Stains or toning | |
| Creases | |
| Pinholes | |
More definitions for terms can be found at Terms Used In Expertizing.