Abbreviations Used in our Catalogues

• um - unmounted mint, same as NH, never hinged - any faults are described.
• vf mint -lightly mounted mint - any faults are described:-
• • for example, 'vf mint, 1x short perf' means the stamp has 1 short (not pulled) perf otherwise it is very fine mint.
• f mint - reasonable mount for the period, any faults are described.
• fresh mint - mint not quite 'fine' but still very good, mm - mounted mint, hmm - heavily mounted mint.
• vfu - very fine used - a light cancel for the period, fresh and without faults:-
• • on modern issues this means a neat circular steel cancela
  • on early issues it means a light or crisp cancel of the period - numeral, duplex, Maltese Cross, etc.
• cds - circular or counter date stamp.
• gu - good used, very collectable but not quite fine,  g-f  good to fine.
• FFC - first flight cover, FDC- first day cover, fdi - first day of issue circular cancel, Sp h/s - special handstamp.
• Mi - Michel catalogue, Yv - Yvert, Sc -- Scott.
• c£50 - catalogued by Stanley Gibbons at £50 (using the SG catalogue current at the time of describing).
• c320€ - catalogued by Michel or Yvert at 320 Euros
• blk 8 - block of 8;   cvr - cover;   reg env - registered envelope; ~50 - approximately 50; 4m - 4 margins; M/sh, MS - miniature sheet.
• LM  RM - booklets with left margin, right margin.
• 2B, CB, LB, RB phosphor bands - 2 band, centre band, left band, right band.
• EEH - extra extension hole - refers to 2 perforation holes when there is normally one in a cylinder block or booklet pane margin.
• pl12 plate 12.
• MX - Maltese Cross.
• r5/2 variety on the second stamp in row 5.
• BR, BL, TR, TL bottom right, bottom left, top right, top left.
• HPF#21, FF Head Plate Flaw on stamp number 21 of the sheet, Frame Flaw.
• LP, RP - left pane, right pane.
• HG - Higgins and Gage postal stationery catalogue.
• Cert - with certificate of authenticity.
• p14 - perf 14, or phosphor cyl number 14
• 56pp illus book with 56 pages including illustrations.
• pres pack - presentation pack (official Post Office Issue).
• ovpt - overprint
• ptsa - priced to sell at
• [45] - 45 items in the lot

Avoid disappointment: see guide to successful bidding