Abbreviations & Markings

Postal History Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in the descriptions of Postal History items. Many of the abbreviations and other marking descriptions are as used in The American Stampless Cover Catalog, the standard reference catalog of American Stampless Postal History.

cvr... cover
ctr... center
rt... right
ul... upper left
ur... upper right
lr... lower right
ll... lower left
oval... oval
do... double oval
dlo... double outer line oval
dldo... double line double oval
s/l... straight line
arc... arc or semi-circle
box... single line box or rectangle
circle... circle
dc... double circle
dlc... double outer line circle
dldc... double line double circle
nor... circle with no outer rim
b/s... backstamp
hstp... handstamp
ms... manuscript
md... month date only
mdd... month and day date
ymdd... year, month and day date
inc... includes
pmk... postmark
*... star
/... beginning of new line
/w... with
eku... earliest known use
lku... latest known use
fls... folded letter sheet
w/o... without

Postal History Marking Descriptions

These conditions and other marking descriptions are as used in The American Stampless Cover Catalog, the standard reference catalog of American Stampless Postal History. Postal History 100 or more years old normally may be expected to display signs of wear, including light edge wear, and in the case of folded letters, file folds or refolds.

Factors which affect the postal markings are noted. Back faults are not noted except where they affect postal markings or are extensive in nature.

Very Fine (VF) Very Fine (VF)
Fine Fine
Very Good (VG) Very Good (VG)

Stamp Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in the descriptions of Stamps.

Literature Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in the descriptions of Literature items.

HB... Hardbound
LL... Looseleaf
CVR... Cover
CPW... Colored Paper Wrapper
VOL... Volume
SB... Softbound
ILLUS... Illustrated
INC... Includes
P... Page(s)
P/R... Prices Realized
SPB... Spiral Bound
CC... Card Cover
ED... Edition
PUB... Published