Tong

Tweezerlike tool with rounded, polished tips, used to handle stamps. Tongs prevent stamps from being soiled by dirt, oil or perspiration.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tied

A stamp is said to be tied to a cover when the cancel extends over both the stamp and the envelope paper. Stamps can also be tied by the aging of the mucilage or glue that holds them to the paper.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Thematic

A collection of stamps or covers relating to a specific topic. The topic is expanded by careful inquiry and is presented as a logical story. See also Topical.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tete-beche

French for “”head to tail.” Two or more unsevered stamps, one of which is inverted in relation to the other.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Telegraph stamp

Label used for the prepayment of telegraph fees. Telegraph stamps resemble postage stamps.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Teeth

The protruding points along the outer edge of a perforated postage stamp when it has been removed from the pane.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tagging

Phosphor material on stamps used to activate automatic mail-handling equipment. This may be lines, bars, letters, part of the design area or the entire stamp surface. The tagging may also permeate the stamp paper. Some stamps are issued both with and without tagging. Catalogs describe them as tagged or untagged.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Sweatbox

A closed box containing dampened spongelike material, over which stuck-together unused stamps are placed on a grill. Humidity softens the gum, allowing separation of stamps. In some cases, the sweatbox may be used to help remove a postally used stamp from envelope paper.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Surtax

The portion of a semipostal stamp purchase price exceeding the postage value. The surtax is designated for donation to a charity or some other purpose.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Surcharge

An overprint that changes or restates the denomination of a stamp or postal stationery item.

Popularity: 1% [?]