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Terms Used In Expertizing Covers

To help collectors better understand the information on The Philatelic Foundation's certificates of opinion, the PF's Expert Committee has developed definitions of terms for covers. It uses these terms in the opinions on the certificates it issues for covers it expertizes. The definitions reflect the experience and comments of more than half of the PF's current consultants among collectors, dealers and auctioneers. The PF has prepared these definitions because of the notable increase in the number of covers that owners have been submitting for expertization.

Cover Definitions
Cover	An envelope showing evidence of usage, with or without contents.
Cover front	An envelope lacking all or most of its back.
Entire	A complete envelope or aerogram with a stamped impression (indicium) of denomination.
Folded address sheet (FAS)	The outer sheet of a folded letter with address but without any or most of written message.
Folded letter (FL)	An intact letter including written message, with addressing and postal markings on the outer side, as originally folded for mailing.
Large part of folded address sheet (FAS)	A folded outer sheet usually missing its top, bottom and/or side fold-overs, and usually without any part of a written message.
Piece	Part of a folded letter, cover or package with adhesive(s) and/or postal marking(s).
Postal card	A complete postcard with a stamped impression (indicium) of denomination on the address side.
Wrapper	A complete strip of paper gummed along one end and bearing a stamped impression (indicium) of denomination. A home-made circular band for mailing printed matter lacks both gum and indicium.

Front Conditions
Cleaning	This is mentioned only when the cleaning process has noticeably faded or otherwise altered the paper, adhesives, postal markings or addressing. Light cleaning to remove normal grime is not mentioned.
Cover reduction	This is noted only when a significant portion (usually 10 percent or more) has been removed or when the missing portion affects adhesives, postal markings, addressing, an illustrated comer card or an illustration.
Creases	These are noted only when they affect adhesives or postal markings, or have caused extensive damage to a cover.
Cut-out or obliterated addresses	Cut-out addresses are mentioned, but obliterated addresses are mentioned only when they affect adhesives or postal markings.
Disinfection slits and holes	These are noted when they are accompanied by an indicative handstamp.
Docketing	Such contemporary writing is noted only when it affects any adhesives.
File folds	Such intentional contemporary folds are mentioned only when they affect adhesives or postal markings or have caused extensive damage to a cover.
Holes/missing pieces	These are noted only when they disfigure a cover or affect adhesives, postal markings, addressing or illustrations.
Staining/toning	These are noted only when they are easily visible. Small spots and wax seal stains are not usually noted.
Scrapes/gouges	These are noted only when they affect adhesives, postal markings or addressing, or when they materially affect an illustration or other parts of a cover.
Tears	These are mentioned only when they affect adhesives, postal markings or addressing, or when they are extensive enough (usually more than a half inch) to affect the body of a cover.

Back Conditions
Extraneous writing	This is normally not mentioned.
Missing portions	These are mentioned only when substantial portions of back flaps and/or side flaps (half or more) are missing.
Replacements	These are mentioned when portions of back flaps and/or side flaps have been added.
Staining/toning	When these are entirely on the reverse side, they are usually noted only in cases of noticeable discoloration. Wax seal stains are not usually noted.

Restoration or Repairing
Closed tears	These are mentioned only when they affect adhesives, postal markings or addressing, or when they are extensive enough (usually more than a half inch) to affect the body of a cover.
Re-inking	The use of ink to recreate or darken a postal marking or address is noted.
Replacements	The addition of pieces are noted, including portions of the front, entire backs, back flaps, side flaps, and extensions to regain the full size of a cover.
Retouching	The use of ink or pencil to enhance a postal marking is noted.

Adhesives on Cover
Additions	Any adhesive not originally on a cover is mentioned.
Bisect on cover	A bisect (or other fraction) is considered genuine only when the cancellation is applied across the cut or when sufficient collateral documentation exists to verify authenticity.
Counterfeit postal markings	The counterfeiting of a postal marking on either an adhesive or cover is noted.
Missing Adhesives	Any case where an adhesive is no longer on a cover is noted.
Removed or altered postal markings	Removal or alteration of a postal marking on either an adhesive or a cover is noted.
Removed and replaced	When an adhesive originally on a cover has been removed and replaced, this is noted when the adhesive is no longer in its original location or when there is other physical evidence of removal.
Substitutions	Any adhesive substituted for one originally on a cover is mentioned.

Adhesive Faults
Faults	The following adhesive faults are noted:
	Repairs
	Trimmed perforations
	Pulled perforations
	Reperforation
	Tears
	Stains or toning
	Creases
	Pinholes

More definitions for terms can be found at Terms Used In Expertizing.