Philatelic Words and Terms

ALL-PURPOSE CACHET - A cachet with a general design that can be used for many different stamp subjects.

CACHET - (pronounced Ka-SHAY) A cachet is a design of words and/or pictures which refers specially to the new stamp on the FDC (First Day Cover).  These designs are usually found on the front, left side of the envelope (cover). They can be printed, rubber stamped, individually hand created, or pasted-on.  The purpose of a cachet is to enhance the meaning and appearance of the cover. Many collectors seek  FDCs with various cachets by different artists.  Over the years many of the cacheted FDCs have become valuable.  Today there are just 300 or so different cachetmakers creating designs for new First Day Covers.

(Examples of Black History-Related Cachets)

CACHETMAKER - A person who creates cachets.

COMMEMORATIVES - Special issues to honor important people or events.

COVER - An envelope that has been sent through the mail.

ERROR - A consistent abnormal variety created by a mistake in the production of a stamp or postmark.

EVENT COVER - A cacheted cover prepared as a souvenir of a specific event or an anniversary of an event.

FIRST CACHET - The first cachet commercially produced by a cachetmaker.

FIRST DAY - The day on which a stamp for the first time is officially sold by the Post Office.

FIRST DAY CITY - The place or city where a stamp for the first time is officially sold by the Post Office.

FIRST DAY COVERS - Envelopes with a new postage stamp and a cancellation showing the date and place where the stamp was first issued. Some covers will have a cachet (design) on the envelope describing an event.

(Examples of Black History-Related First Day Covers)

HAND COLORED - A printed, handdrawn or handmade cachet to which hand painting or hand coloring has been added.

HAND DRAWN - A cachet applied to a cover by hand with pen, pencil, brush, chalk or other art media.

HANDMADE - A cachet applied to a cover by hand by adding seals, paste-ups, collage or similar materials. Each cachet is made individually and is an original.

PHILATELIST - An individual who enjoys collecting and/or studying stamps and other postal items.

PHOTOCACHET - A cachet consisting in part or entirely of a photograph.

PRINTED CACHET - A cachet design type that is produced by printing, using any one of many methods.

SILK CACHET - A cachet type with a pictorial design printed on a peice of fabric with a silky finish.

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