View source for Stamps and first day covers

[[File:Stamps-and-fdc-logo.png|center|frameless|220px|alt=PhantomWiki stamps and first day covers section logo|PhantomWiki stamps and first day covers]]

This section records individual postage stamps, stamp issues and first day covers in the collection.

== Add a new page ==

* [[PhantomWiki:Create an FDC page|Create a new FDC page]]
* [[PhantomWiki:Create a stamp page|Create a new individual stamp page]]

== Collection summary ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Record type
! Number of pages
|-
| [[:Category:First day covers|First day covers]]
| {{PAGESINCATEGORY:First day covers|pages}}
|-
| [[:Category:First day covers owned|Owned first day covers]]
| {{PAGESINCATEGORY:First day covers owned|pages}}
|-
| [[:Category:First day covers wanted|First day covers wanted]]
| {{PAGESINCATEGORY:First day covers wanted|pages}}
|-
| [[:Category:Stamps|Individual stamps]]
| {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Stamps|pages}}
|-
| [[:Category:Stamps with provisional catalogue numbers|Stamps with provisional catalogue numbers]]
| {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Stamps with provisional catalogue numbers|pages}}
|-
| [[:Category:Stamps with unverified catalogue numbers|Stamps with unverified catalogue numbers]]
| {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Stamps with unverified catalogue numbers|pages}}
|}

{{Collection image notice}}

== Browse by country ==

Select a country or postal authority to view its stamps and first day covers.

<categorytree mode="categories" hideroot="on" depth="1">Stamps and first day covers by country</categorytree>

== Browse by year ==

Select a year to view the stamps and first day covers recorded for that year.

<categorytree mode="categories" hideroot="on" depth="1">Stamps and first day covers by year</categorytree>

== Browse by issue date ==
'''First day covers'''
* [[:Category:First day covers by issue date|Browse all first day covers by issue date]]
* [[First day covers by decade|Browse first day covers by decade]]

'''Stamps'''
* [[:Category:Stamps by issue date|Browse all stamps by issue date]]
* [[Stamps by decade|Browse stamps by decade]]

== Naming conventions ==

=== Individual stamp pages ===

Use the following page-title format:

<pre>CC-Catalogue-CatalogueNumber</pre>

Examples:

* <code>IM-SG-9999</code> — standard Isle of Man stamp
* <code>IM-SG-9999a</code> — stamp with a catalogue variant suffix
* <code>DE-Mi-385</code> — German stamp listed by Michel
* <code>IM-SG-FTM57</code> — Isle of Man Post & Go stamp
* <code>GG-SG-FTG12</code> — Guernsey Post & Go stamp
* <code>JE-SG-FTJ12</code> — Jersey Post & Go stamp
* <code>IM-SG-D1</code> — Isle of Man postage due stamp
* <code>IM-SG-SB12</code> — Isle of Man stamp booklet
* <code>GG-SG-A1</code> — Alderney stamp
* <code>GG-SG-AB1</code> — Alderney stamp booklet
* <code>IM-SG-P2725</code> — stamp using a provisional PhantomWiki catalogue number
* <code>MT-SG-U1838</code> — stamp using a catalogue number reported by a secondary source but not yet verified directly

The parts are:

* <code>CC</code> — two-letter country or territory code
* <code>Catalogue</code> — catalogue abbreviation, such as <code>SG</code> for Stanley Gibbons or <code>Mi</code> for Michel
* <code>CatalogueNumber</code> — the complete catalogue identifier, including any prefix and variant suffix
* <code>P</code> — PhantomWiki marker for a locally assigned provisional number
* <code>U</code> — PhantomWiki marker for a reported catalogue number that has not yet been verified directly

Prefixes form part of the catalogue number. Stanley Gibbons prefixes used in this collection include:

* <code>FTM</code> — Isle of Man Post & Go stamps
* <code>FTG</code> — Guernsey Post & Go stamps
* <code>FTJ</code> — Jersey Post & Go stamps
* <code>D</code> — postage due stamps
* <code>SB</code> — stamp booklets
* <code>A</code> — Alderney stamps
* <code>AB</code> — Alderney stamp booklets

The PhantomWiki status markers <code>P</code> and <code>U</code> are not official catalogue prefixes.

A lower-case suffix such as <code>a</code>, <code>b</code> or <code>c</code> may identify a catalogue-listed variant:

<pre>
IM-SG-9999a
IM-SG-9999b
</pre>

==== Provisional catalogue numbers ====

When a stamp has not yet been listed in the relevant published catalogue, PhantomWiki may use a provisional working number for collection organisation.

Place an upper-case <code>P</code> immediately before the anticipated catalogue number:

<pre>
IM-SG-P2725
IM-SG-P2726
IM-SG-P2727
IM-SG-P2728
</pre>

For example, the 2022 Isle of Man Chinese Year of the Tiger issue follows the last numbered issue in the latest available Stanley Gibbons catalogue. Its four stamps therefore use the provisional identifiers <code>IM-SG-P2725</code> to <code>IM-SG-P2728</code>.

The <code>P</code> is a PhantomWiki marker meaning “provisional”. It is not part of an officially assigned Stanley Gibbons catalogue number.

Provisional numbers must be identified clearly on the individual stamp page by adding:

<pre>
{{Provisional catalogue number
|catalogue=Stanley Gibbons
|number=2725
}}
</pre>

The individual stamp page should also explain the basis of the number in its notes:

<pre>
The catalogue number is provisional and has been assigned by PhantomWiki by continuing the sequence in the latest available Stanley Gibbons catalogue. It is not a confirmed Stanley Gibbons catalogue number.
</pre>

Use the complete provisional identifier for the principal image filename:

<pre>
IM-SG-P2725.jpg
</pre>

If an official catalogue number is subsequently published:

# Move the stamp page to the confirmed identifier.
# Move the principal image and any additional images to filenames using the confirmed identifier.
# Update the identifier and image filename in every associated <code>FDC stamp row</code>.
# Replace the provisional catalogue number in the individual stamp template.
# Remove the {{Tl|Provisional catalogue number}} notice.
# Update any number ranges or explanatory text on associated issue and FDC pages.
# Leave redirects where they may assist with overlooked incoming links.

The final official number may differ from the provisional number because the catalogue publisher may allocate numbers to variants, miniature sheets, booklets or other material not previously known to PhantomWiki.

==== Unverified catalogue numbers ====

When a catalogue number is reported by a secondary source but has not yet been checked directly against the named catalogue, prefix the reported number with an upper-case <code>U</code> in the PhantomWiki page identifier.

For example:

<pre>
MT-SG-U1838
</pre>

This identifies a Malta stamp reported by secondary sources as Stanley Gibbons 1838, but not yet verified directly against a Stanley Gibbons catalogue.

The <code>U</code> is a PhantomWiki marker meaning “unverified”. It is not part of the reported catalogue number or an official prefix assigned by the catalogue publisher.

An unverified number is different from a provisional number:

{| class="wikitable"
! Marker
! Meaning
! Example
|-
| <code>P</code>
| A working number assigned locally by PhantomWiki because no published catalogue number is currently available.
| <code>IM-SG-P2725</code>
|-
| <code>U</code>
| A catalogue number reported by a secondary source but not yet checked directly against the named catalogue.
| <code>MT-SG-U1838</code>
|}

Unverified numbers must be identified clearly on the individual stamp page by adding:

<pre>
{{Unverified catalogue number
|catalogue=Stanley Gibbons
|number=1838
|source=Stanley Lisica Malta price list
|access-date=20 September 2026
}}
</pre>

Where possible, provide a link or citation identifying the secondary source. If an external link causes a security or preview error, enter the source name as plain text and cite the source elsewhere in the article.

The individual stamp page should explain the status of the number in its notes:

<pre>
The Stanley Gibbons number 1838 is reported by a secondary source but has not yet been checked directly against a Stanley Gibbons catalogue. The U prefix is a PhantomWiki status marker and does not form part of the reported catalogue number.
</pre>

Use the complete unverified identifier for the principal image filename:

<pre>
MT-SG-U1838.jpg
</pre>

Once the number has been checked directly against the relevant catalogue:

# Move the stamp page to the verified identifier without the <code>U</code> marker.
# Move the principal image and any additional images to filenames using the verified identifier.
# Update the identifier and image filename in every associated <code>FDC stamp row</code>.
# Remove the <code>U</code> marker from the <code>catalogue-number</code> field in the individual stamp template.
# Remove the {{Tl|Unverified catalogue number}} notice.
# Update explanatory text and catalogue references on associated issue and FDC pages.
# Leave redirects where they may assist with overlooked incoming links.

For example:

<pre>
MT-SG-U1838 → MT-SG-1838
MT-SG-U1838.jpg → MT-SG-1838.jpg
</pre>

Pages awaiting verification are listed in [[:Category:Stamps with unverified catalogue numbers]].

==== Stamp image filenames ====

Use the complete page identifier for the principal image filename:

<pre>
IM-SG-9999a.jpg
IM-SG-FTM57.jpg
IM-SG-P2725.jpg
MT-SG-U1838.jpg
GG-SG-AB1.jpg
</pre>

Additional images may use descriptive suffixes:

<pre>
IM-SG-9999a-back.jpg
IM-SG-9999a-detail-1.jpg
IM-SG-FTM57-back.jpg
IM-SG-P2725-detail-1.jpg
MT-SG-U1838-detail-1.jpg
</pre>

=== First day cover pages ===

Use:

<pre>Country – Issue title – Year</pre>

Where several different covers exist for the same issue, include the producer or cover type:

<pre>Country – Issue title – Producer – Year</pre>

== Catalogue abbreviations ==

The countries shown are examples rather than complete coverage lists. Countries currently included in this collection's country-code table are shown in bold.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Catalogue
! Identifier abbreviation
! Example countries or postal areas covered
|-
| Stanley Gibbons
| <code>SG</code>
| '''United Kingdom''', '''Isle of Man''', '''Malta''', Australia, Canada
|-
| Michel
| <code>Mi</code>
| '''Germany''', '''Kyrgyzstan''', '''Liechtenstein''', '''Switzerland''', '''Ukraine''', '''Malta'''
|-
| Zumstein
| <code>Zum</code>
| '''Switzerland''', '''Liechtenstein''', United Nations Geneva
|-
| Scott
| <code>Scott</code>
| United States, '''Germany''', '''United Kingdom''', '''Malta''', Japan
|-
| Yvert et Tellier
| <code>YT</code>
| France, Monaco, '''Switzerland''', '''Malta''', Belgium
|-
| J. B. Catalogue
| <code>JB</code>
| '''Malta'''
|-
| Sakura
| <code>Sakura</code>
| Japan, Ryukyu Islands and historical Japanese-administered territories
|-
| AFA
| <code>AFA</code>
| Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands
|-
| Facit
| <code>Facit</code>
| Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands
|-
| Minkus
| <code>Minkus</code>
| United States, '''Germany''', France, Japan and worldwide issues
|-
| Sassone
| <code>Sass</code>
| Italy, San Marino and Vatican City
|-
| Edifil
| <code>Edifil</code>
| Spain, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea and former Spanish colonies
|-
| Unificato
| <code>Unif</code>
| Italy, San Marino, Vatican City and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
|-
| Philex
| <code>Philex</code>
| '''Germany''', Austria, '''Switzerland''', '''Liechtenstein''', France and Spain
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Sakura is principally a Japanese catalogue. Its additional coverage includes historical postal administrations rather than a second modern sovereign country.
* The J. B. Catalogue is a specialised catalogue of Malta stamps and postal history. Its numbering is distinct from Stanley Gibbons numbering.
* Minkus is retained for older collections and references, but its independent worldwide catalogue and numbering system are no longer actively published.
* Philex country catalogues normally reproduce Michel numbering. Where that is the case, use <code>Mi</code> in the stamp identifier rather than <code>Philex</code>.
* A <code>P</code> before a catalogue number identifies a number provisionally assigned by PhantomWiki. It does not indicate that the catalogue publisher has confirmed the number.
* A <code>U</code> before a catalogue number identifies a number reported by a secondary source but not yet verified directly against the named catalogue. It is not part of the catalogue number itself.

== Country codes ==

Stamp identifiers use the two-letter ISO country code of the issuing country or postal authority.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Country or postal authority
! Code
! Example identifier
|-
| Germany
| <code>DE</code>
| <code>DE-Mi-385</code>
|-
| Isle of Man
| <code>IM</code>
| <code>IM-SG-9999a</code>
|-
| Kyrgyzstan
| <code>KG</code>
| <code>KG-Mi-123</code>
|-
| Liechtenstein
| <code>LI</code>
| <code>LI-Mi-123</code>
|-
| Malta
| <code>MT</code>
| <code>MT-SG-U1838</code>
|-
| Switzerland
| <code>CH</code>
| <code>CH-Zum-123</code>
|-
| Ukraine
| <code>UA</code>
| <code>UA-Mi-123</code>
|-
| United Kingdom
| <code>GB</code>
| <code>GB-SG-1234</code>
|}

== First day cover types ==

Use the broad value in the <code>cover-type</code> field and record the specific organisation or company in <code>cover-producer</code>.

{| class="wikitable"
! Cover type
! Description
! Example producers
|-
| Standard cover
| Standard cover produced or commissioned by the postal authority.
| Royal Mail, Isle of Man Post Office
|-
| Commercial cover
| Privately produced cover created for sale to collectors.
| Cotswold, Mercury, Philart, Stuart, Abbey
|-
| Official or sponsored cover
| Cover officially produced or sponsored by an organisation connected with the issue.
| Museum, charity, regiment, government department or event organiser
|-
| Joint cover
| A cover produced by, or in association with, more than one postal authority or organisation and normally bearing stamps or postmarks from each participant.
| Isle of Man Post Office and MaltaPost
|-
| Commemorative cover
| A cover marking an event or anniversary that is not necessarily the official first day cover for a stamp issue.
| Various
|-
| Other
| A cover that does not fit one of the standard classifications.
| Record the details in <code>cover-producer</code> and <code>collection-comment</code>
|}

== Postmark types ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Postmark type
! Description
|-
| Special handstamp
| A special pictorial or commemorative handstamp produced for an issue, event or location.
|-
| First Day of Issue postmark
| A postmark specifically identifying the first day of issue. This includes Royal Mail FDI postmarks used from 1964 to 1988.
|-
| Counter date stamp
| An ordinary circular date stamp applied at a post-office counter.
|-
| Slogan postmark
| A cancellation containing wording, advertising or a commemorative slogan.
|-
| Machine cancellation
| A mechanically applied cancellation, normally containing a date stamp and cancelling lines.
|-
| Meter mark
| A postal marking produced by a postage meter rather than an adhesive stamp.
|-
| Multiple or joint postmarks
| Two or more postmarks used on the same cover, including postmarks applied by different postal authorities. Record each location and date in the appropriate fields and explain the arrangement in <code>postmark-notes</code>.
|-
| Other
| Any postmark that does not fit the standard types. Add an explanation in <code>postmark-notes</code>.
|}

== Stamp classifications ==

=== Stamp type and subtype ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Stamp type
! Suggested subtypes or descriptions
|-
| Commemorative
| General commemorative; anniversary; historical event; notable person; thematic issue
|-
| Definitive
| Monarch or reign; regional definitive; country pictorial; long-running definitive series
|-
| Occasions and greetings
| Christmas; wedding; birthday; greetings; festival; seasonal issue
|-
| Special-purpose
| Airmail; postage due; official; charity or semi-postal; newspaper; express
|-
| Other
| Explain the classification in the page notes
|}

=== Stamp format ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Format
! Description
|-
| Stamp
| An individual stamp issued in an ordinary sheet.
|-
| Se-tenant pair
| Two attached stamps with different designs.
|-
| Se-tenant strip
| Three or more attached stamps with different designs.
|-
| Se-tenant block
| A block of attached stamps with different designs.
|-
| Miniature sheet
| One or more stamps issued together within a specially designed sheet margin.
|-
| Sheetlet
| A small sheet containing a limited number of stamps.
|-
| Booklet stamp
| A stamp issued as part of a stamp booklet.
|}

Record self-adhesive or conventional gum in the <code>paper-gum</code> field rather than using it as a stamp type or format.

== Adding a new issue or cover ==

# Establish whether each stamp has a confirmed catalogue number.
# If no published catalogue number is available, assign a clearly marked provisional identifier using an upper-case <code>P</code>.
# If a catalogue number is reported only by a secondary source, use an upper-case <code>U</code> until it has been checked directly against the named catalogue.
# Scan the cover, its reverse and any accompanying materials, together with the individual stamps. Keep the original scans privately. If an item is not yet available to scan, leave its image fields blank.
#* Import the scans into Lightroom Classic and complete the cropping, straightening and other necessary image adjustments.
#* Check both sides of the cover and any accompanying materials for personal names and addresses. Conceal other recipients’ names and all residential address details, including postcodes, in the images intended for publication. The collector’s own name may remain visible if desired.
#* Where redaction is needed, follow the steps below. If no redaction is needed, proceed directly to the export step.
#*# Right-click the image in Lightroom Classic and select '''Edit In → Adobe Photoshop'''. If prompted, choose '''Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments'''.
#*# In Photoshop, select the '''Rectangle Tool''' in '''Shape''' mode. Use a solid grey fill of '''RGB 160, 160, 160''' ('''#A0A0A0'''), no stroke, '''Normal''' blending mode, and '''Opacity and Fill both at 100%'''.
#*# Cover the complete name/address block or each complete line, extending slightly beyond the lettering. Use visible redaction boxes rather than blur, pixelation or cloning that makes the envelope appear unaddressed.
#*# Choose '''File → Save''' in Photoshop, then close the image. Continue with the edited copy that appears in Lightroom Classic.
#*# Export the publication copy from Lightroom Classic as a '''JPEG''', applying the appropriate PhantomWiki watermark and the usual image-size settings. The watermark is applied after redaction. Under '''Metadata''', select '''Copyright Only''' and ensure that the retained copyright text contains no private details.
#* Open each exported JPEG separately and inspect it at 100%. Check that personal details are fully concealed, the watermark fits without clipping, and the stamps, postmarks and other relevant details remain clear.
# Upload only the checked publication copies. Keep unredacted originals and editable layered files private.
# Upload the main first day cover image and, if available, its reverse image, postmark images and accompanying information sheets or certificates. Use the established hyphenated filename conventions.
# Upload each individual stamp image using its confirmed, provisional or unverified catalogue-based identifier as the filename.
# Where an image has been redacted, state this on its File page. Do not reproduce the concealed details in descriptions, captions or filenames.
# Select [[PhantomWiki:Create an FDC page|Create a new FDC page]].
# Complete the issue, cover, technical, postmark, signature and collection fields. Set <code>fdc-owned</code> to <code>Yes</code> or <code>No</code> according to whether the cover is in the collection.
# Record the address status of the '''physical cover'''. Use <code>addressed=Yes</code> when it is addressed, even if the published image has been redacted. Use <code>addressed=No</code> only for a genuinely unaddressed cover.
# If recipient details have been redacted, add a suitable explanation to <code>collection-comment</code>, preserving any existing notes. For example: “The recipient’s name and address are concealed in the published image for privacy. The original cover is addressed.” If only the address was concealed, adjust the wording accordingly.
# Complete the first <code>FDC stamp row</code> in the preloaded stamp table.
# Duplicate the complete <code>FDC stamp row</code> block for every additional stamp on the cover.
# For provisional identifiers, state in each row’s notes that the number was assigned provisionally by PhantomWiki.
# For unverified identifiers, state in each row’s notes that the reported number has not yet been checked directly against the named catalogue.
# Preview the page and check the images, links and automatic stamp count.
# Save the FDC page.
# Follow each red stamp-identifier link and use [[PhantomWiki:Create a stamp page|the stamp creation form]] to create its individual page. Reuse existing stamp pages where they already exist.
# Add the {{Tl|Provisional catalogue number}} notice to every stamp page using a provisional number.
# Add the {{Tl|Unverified catalogue number}} notice to every stamp page using an unverified number.
# On each individual stamp page, add a link back to the associated FDC page using the <code>fdc-pages</code> field, retaining links to any other associated covers.

[[Category:Stamps and first day covers| ]]