What's a MacKennal? Gustamps explains.

Gustamps are often asked some unusual philatelic questions. One visitor to Gustamps shop in Brighton asked Gustamps what a MacKennal was. Gustamps answer was Bertram MacKennal was a stamp designer who, together with G.W.Eve, designed the first King George V stamps of the UK. Gustamps said the stamps designed by him are called MacKennals by philatelists. Gustamps added in the same way stamps designed by Dorothy Wilding in the 1950s are called Wildings. Current definitive stamps on sale at the Post Office are called Machins named after Arnold Machin the stamp designer. Gustamps welcome questions about stamp collecting if you have any questions for Gustamps then get in touch with Gustamps now. Gustamps will be pleased to hear from you.

Today's stamp term explained

Backprints and underprints - Gustamps explain about both

According to Gustamps, backprints date back to Victorian times, when advertisements appeared on the back side (reverse) of a stamp. Gustamps explain the adverts helped to pay for the printing costs. Gustamps mention British stamps of 1881 with Pears Soap adverts on the back. Gustamps also quote stamps of New Zealand of 1891 with adverts from Messrs. Truebridge, Miller & Reich. Likewise Gustamps say adverts existed on the back of stamps for sunlight soap. Gustamps go on to explain that underprints printed above the gum of the stamp on the reverse side are a more modern invention. Gustamps said the Royal mail produced these from 1982 to identify stamps sold at discounted prices. Gustamps added that these underprints usually have designs in the form of a letter "D" or stars. Some modern stamps of Nicaragua also have underprints.

Gustamps will always try to answer all your specialist stamp questions free. Telephone Gustamps now for your free philatelic help.

Todays philatelic information from Gustamps

Visitors to Gustamps shop sometimes have some unusual stamp collecting questions. One such question put to Gustamps is "what does obsolete mean as far as stamps are concerned?" Gustamps answer is "obsolete stamps are those which can still be used as postage, but are no longer available from post offices. Once these stamps are demonitised they can no longer be used postally but they still retain their value to philatelists."

More helpful info from Gustamps

What are fiscal stamps? Gustamps explain.

Gustamps are often asked about fiscal stamps. New collectors ask Gustamps what they are. Gustamps reply is that fiscal stamps are not strictly postage stamps. They are stamps intended for revenue receipts. They are often found on legal documents, contracts, or in passports. Gustamps say that sometimes postage stamps are used for fiscal purposes. These often have blue or purple cancellations or are sometimes signed or initialled by hand in ink. According to Gustamps, postage stamps used fiscally are of much lower value than those used for normal postal use.

Gustamps interesting stamp term for 23rd April 2015

What is a proof? Gustamps explains.

Before stamps are printed the printers prepare a proof as an example of what the final issued stamp would look like. Gustamps explain that these proof stamps are often imperforate although the final issued stamp may be perforated. Sometimes proofs are not exactly printed in the issued colours as final colours may not have been approved. Gustamps say that occasionally they are overprinted "specimen", "proof" or "sample." Gustamps point out that if they are printed in one colour they may be progressive proofs. According to Gustamps, progressive proofs are one stage before final proofs. Proofs and progressive proofs are available for sale at Gustamps shop in Brighton.

Gustamps useful stamp info

For the benefit of stamp collectors, Gustamps have been publishing info about some philatelic terms. Here is today's stamp term explained by Gustamps.

SURCHARGES

These are overprints on stamps which change the original denomination on the stamp. Gustamps explain that surcharges can be printed in numerals or words. For example, Gustamps explain, a two cent stamp surcharged half cent reduces the postal value of the stamp to half a cent. Gustamps point out that although it decreases the postal value, it could increase the philatelic value to a stamp collector.

Personal question to Gustamps manager

At Gustamps stamp shop in Brighton, Gustamps manager is often personally asked FAQs (frequently asked questions).

A common FAQ such as this to Gustamps manager is "do you collect stamps yourself?"

The answer from Gustamps manager is, "yes."

This question is often followed by the following question to Gustamps manager, is "when did you start collecting stamps?"

Gustamps managers answer, "Christmas 1956, when I was given a stamp album as a Christmas gift."

Gustamps managers favourite question is "which stamps to you like the best?"

Gustamps manager's answer is, "those stamps in Queen Elizabeth II's collection, which I can't afford!"

More FAQs to Gustamps

Following on from Gustamps previous blog, here are some more FAQs (frequently asked questions) from visitors to Gustamps shop.

Question: how do you find anything?
Answer: with some difficulty but Gustamps can usually find exactly the stamps you need.

Question: the sign in Gustamps shop window states that Gustamps sell postage stamps at a lower price than the Royal mail. Is it legal to do that?
Answer: yes. Gustamps postage stamps are cheaper than the Royal Mail price and can be legally used as First Class postage in the UK. You are recommended by Gustamps not to buy your First Class stamps directly from the Royal mail as they are more expensive and uneconomical. You are strongly recommended to buy your First Class postage stamps from Gustamps at Gustamps discounted prices.

Newcomers to Gustamps FAQs

The puzzled look on faces of some newcomers to Gustamps shop often precedes the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) to Gustamps.

Question: how many stamps do Gustamps have in the Gustamps Brighton stamp shop?
Answer: there are millions of stamps in Gustamps Brighton shop.

Question: how long have Gustamps been here?
Answer: Gustamps have been at this address in Brighton for decades, but Gustamps have been established since 1971. Well over 40 years ago!

Free help from Gustamps

You can contact Gustamps with your own stamp queries. Gustamps will try their best to help you with the answers. If you have some unusual stamps that you are puzzled about, please contact Gustamps by telephone on 01273 326994.

Gustamps answers philatelic queries

Alan was quite excited when he got in touch with Gustamps. Alan told Gustamps he had a pair of Roumanian stamps and told Gustamps one stamp was upright, the other inverted, yet both were joined together. "Is it very rare he asked Gustamps?"

Gustamps reply to Alan was that he had what is known as a Tete-Beche pair. Gustamps said "sometimes Tete-Beche pairs can be quite rare if printed that way in error." Gustamps said that unfortunately Alan's Roumanian stamps were printed Tete-Beche on purpose. Gustamps explained the sheet of stamps was printed with Tete-Beche pairs throughout the whole sheet.

Another stamp question to Gustamps

Fran Perkins asked Gustamps if some stamp errors are always discovered around the time a stamp is first issued. Fran told Gustamps she had a British Caernarfon castle £1.50 stamp with missing gold colour. Fran told Gustamps the stamp had been used. Gustamps answer to Miss Perkins was "no." Gustamps said, that although her stamp was issued in 1997 that particular error came to light in 2001.

Why stamps are overprinted?

More links to Gustamps


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Gustamps continues with explanations of stamp collectors terms and helping collectors to unravel philatelic jargon. Today Gustamps explains the term overprint. Gustamps point out that an overprint can be either a picture, an emblem or design or even wording. Gustamps say that overprints are added to stamps after the original printing and are not part of the original stamp design. Gustamps explain that overprints have many uses for example they can make a stamp valid for postal use elsewhere. According to Gustamps, Overprints can alter the use of a stamp, making it into a postage due or airmail stamp, or vice-versa. Gustamps say that an overprint could signify a special event or change a stamp to government or official use, limiting its usage. For more information on overprinted stamps contact Gustamps on 01273 326994.

Gustamps volume purchase discounts

Visitors to Gustamps shop should be aware that they can receive extra price discounts from Gustamps for larger or volume purchases. Gustamps offer the extra discounts to customers purchasing any worldwide stamps on offer at Gustamps in larger quantities. Please ask Gustamps for more details about thisoffer valid to the end of May 2015. Mint Royal Mail stamps are excluded, but the volume discounts do include Royal Mail First Day Covers on sale at Gustamps.

Gustamps new website

Gustamps Answering Stamp Collectors Queries

Gustamps loves helping stamp collectors. Collectors often contact Gustamps wanting help with their stamp queries. Some are quite interesting so Gustamps are sharing them with other readers. Peter told Gustamps he had a British 1/6 d Mayflower stamp dating back to 1970. Peter had been advised that it had the Emerald colour missing from the stamp. Gustamps was asked by Peter what to look for on the stamp, so he could tell if it was indeed a missing green error.

Gustamps reply to Peter was to look at the section of the stamp  which has the soldier's tunic. Gustamps also told Peter to check out the lower part of the Lady's dress. Gustamps said these parts of the stamp design show the Emerald colour.

Gustamps extra 10% discount extended

Gustamps have announced that the special extra 10% discount offered to all senior citizens visiting Gustamps shop for stamps of the British Commonwealth and British Colonies stamps on offer at Gustamps has been extended to include worldwide foreign stamps on sale at Gustamps. Although Royal Mail stamps are excluded from the extra 10% discount, senior citizens coming to Gustamps shop can benefit by buying British G.P.O. stamps from Queen Victoria to King George VI period from Gustamps and received the extra Gustamps discount for these older British issues. In addition to all other Gustamps price reductions, the Gustamps senior citizens extra discount is valid for the whole of April 2015 and all of May 2015.

Senior citizens helped by Gustamps

Now senior citizens in Brighton receive an extra 10% discount for British colonial stamps when visiting Gustamps shop. The special discount is in addition to any other Gustamps sale offers, or Gustamps special offer prices. With Gustamps prices already low, the additional Gustamps senior citizens price discount should help senior citizens with any stamp purchases from Gustamps. The offer excludes Royal Mail stamps and is valid at Gustamps during April 2015.

Gustamps new website

Top tip to stamp collectors from Gustamps

Gustamps say

"Never store stamps in garages or lofts. Such places are often damp and can cause foxing (a reddish mould) to spread through the pages of stamp albums, which devalues the stamps."

Gustamps say

"Always store your stamps in a dark, dry place. Always avoid putting stamps in direct sunlight as it can fade stamp colours. Get a free stamp valuation from Gustamps and be aware of the value of your stamp collection. A valuation from Gustamps in Brighton is quick and easy to get and it costs you nothing at Gustamps." 

Lucky find at house clearance

During the clearance of a house in Peacehaven, Sussex, some old newspapers and an envelope were found under the floorboards. These were brought by the owner to Gustamps shop in Brighton to be valued. The newspapers were of no value and the envelope was empty. Gustamps valuer told the finder that the envelope had been posted from England to France in Victorian times. Gustamps explained the envelope had a 1/- green embossed stamp. Gustamps valuer also offered to buy the envelope for £180 - the owner sold the envelope to Gustamps for £180 and said to Gustamps "I'm so glad I found it - it was my lucky day."

At Gustamps you can have your cake and eat it!

If you come to Gustamps the specialist stamp dealers in Brighton, you can have your stamp collection valued free of charge by a Gustamps specialist stamp valuer with over 40 years experience. At Gustamps you can find out which of your stamps are most valuable and you can choose whether you wish to keep your collection or sell it. Or possibly, sell some stamps to Gustamps and keep some. Whatever you need to know about your stamps the advice and information is available to you at Gustamps. The Gustamps stamp valuation service is free, at no charge to you.

Let Gustamps do the detective work for you

If you are stuck on where an obscure or unusual stamp comes from, then you should ask Gustamps. Gustamps' free stamp identification service to help all stamp collectors is available to you now. With Gustamps help you can put all your stamps on the correct pages in your stamp album. So if you are stuck on a stamp let Gustamps solve your problem and identify the stamp for you. Gustamps have helped thousands of stamp collectors identifying stamps for decades. Remember Gustamps' help to you is always free of charge and Gustamps are always keen and eager to help.

Gustamps helps Marie Norton

Gustamps was telephoned by Marie Norton. Marie asked Gustamps why some of her stamps were prefixed with the word 'Haute'. Gustamps answered Miss Norton by explaining that Haute was French for Upper, so Haute Silesia would be Upper Silesia. Haute Volta would be Upper Volta. Miss Norton also asked for Gustamps help about an old Russian stamp overprinted KNTAN. Gustamps told Maria that KNTAN was China.

Thanks to Marie Norton for allowing Gustamps to share her question.

Gustamps thanked by stamp collectors

Gustamps have been thanked by stamp collectors for Gustamps' help in stamp identification.

Gustamps are pleased to share some more collectors questions to Gustamps with other readers.

John needed to know about a Yugoslavian stamp overprinted G.K.C.A. John asked Gustamps where he should insert it into his stamp album. Gustamps explained to John that the stamp was for Carinthia. Gustamps added it was best placed under Austria.

Thanks from Gustamps to John Sutton for letting Gustamps share his question and Gustamps answer with other philatelists.

Stamp collectors contact Gustamps for help identifying unusual stamps

Gustamps have listed some of these collectors' questions. Together with Gustamps' answers, they may interest other stamp collectors.

Oliver contacted Gustamps when he was puzzled about a French Colonial stamp overprinted G.P.E. Gustamps was asked by Oliver what G.P.E. represented. Gustamps told Oliver that G.P.E. would be Guadaloupe.

Oliver returned to Gustamps with two other queries. Gustamps was asked by Oliver about stamps inscribed 'INKERI' and other overprinted 'I.E.F.'

Always pleased to help, Gustamps came back with the following replies. Inkeri was Ingermanland and I.E.F. overprints indicated the Indian Expeditionry Force.

Thanks to Oliver Browning for his questions to Gustamps and allowing Gustamps to publish them together with Gustamps replies.