Glossary of Stamp Collecting Terms

Z

Z: 1: Scott Catalog number prefix for Special Purpose (Japan). 2: (in circle) control mark on back of 1946 regular issue used in Spanish Morocco. 3: Bolivia used its 1928 air mail issue with this overprint for mail carried on Hindenburg. 4: overprint on stamps of Russia for Armenia. 5: with star overprint, on stamps of Russia, Transcaucasion Federated Republics.
$Z: dollar, currency unit in Zimbabwe.
Za: (Sp.) Zaragoza (Saragossa), Spain pre-adhesive postmark.
Z.A.: initials of "Zapadnaya Armiya," (Russian) Western Army, Latvia 1919.
Zacatecas: district in Mexico, overprint on stamps of Mexico, 1914.
Za Crveni Krst: inscription on Yugoslavia postal tax stamp for Red Cross.
Zadní strana: (Czech.) back (side), reverse (side), other side.
Zadonsk: city in Russia, Zemstvo local post; 1878-1914, see Zemstvo.
Zafarralla: city in Spain, Spanish Civil War local post, Nationalist forces, 1937.
Zafirkék: (Hung.) sapphire blue (color).
Zafra: city in Spain, Spanish Civil War local post, Nationalist forces, 1936.
Z. Afr. Republiek (Republik): inscription for Transvaal, see South African Republic.
Zagazig: city in Egypt, Interpostal Seals used 1864-84, see Interpostal Seals.
Zahl: (Ger.) number.
Zahldienstmarken: (Ger.) official statistical sampling stamps, Prussia and Baden for lump sum payments.
Zahlungsanweisung: (Ger.) money order.
Zahnfehler: (Ger.) perforation fault.
Zähnung: (Ger.) perforation.
Zähnungsschlussel: (Ger.) perforation guage.
Záhyb: (Czech.) crease, bend, fold.
Zaire: central Africa, formerly Congo Democratic Republic; currency: 100 sengi = 1 li-kuta (1967), 100 makuta = 1 Zaire, 100 centimes = 1 franc (1998) 1885, July 1: King Leopold II of Belgium named himself king as area personal possession, 1886, Jan.1: first stamps depicted Leopold, king and sole owner, inscribed “Etat du Congo,” 1908, Nov. 15: Belgium annexed the territory as the Congo Free State, 1960, June 30: named The Congo Democratic Republic, 1961-64: United Nations peace-keeping force in country, 1971, Nov.: changed name to Republic of The Zaire, 1971, Dec. 18: No.1. 4 kuta gold and multi, first stamp as Zaire, 1975: first official stamp; see Belgian Congo, Congo Democratic Republic.
Zaiss, F. & Co.: inscription on Match stamp; see Private die proprietary stamps.
Zakarpats'ka, Zakarpatskaya: (Russ.) see Celistvosti - Podkarpatská Rus# Zakarpatskaya Ukrania: (Russ.) local post, Trans-Carpathian Ukraine, 1944:
Zakaznoe: (Russ.) registered.
Zalamea la Real: city in Spain, Spanish Civil War local post, Nationalist forces, 1937.
Zálepka: (Czech.) letter-card.
Zalotkop: currency unit, Poland, Russian occupation.
Zambezia: Mozambique District, Portuguese East Africa, administered by the Zambesia Company; currency: 1,000 reis = 1 milreis 1894: No.1, 5 reis yellow, overprinted Zambezia on Portuguese colonial stamps, first newspaper stamp, 1913-20: provinces of Quelimane and Tete had own stamps, 1922: used Quelimane issues, currently uses stamps of Mozambique; see Quelimane, Tete.
Zambia: southern Africa; formerly Northern Rhodesia; currency: 12 pence = 1 shilling, 20 shillings = 1 pound, 100 ngwee =1 kwacha (1968) 1889-1924: administered by the British South Africa Company, 1890: stamps of the British South Africa Company, 1924: area divided into Northern and Southern Rhodesia, 1925: stamps inscribed Northern Rhodesia, 1954: became part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, 1964, Oct.24: No.1, 3 pence blue-brown and green, first stamps with new name of Zambia, first postage due stamp, 1967, March 22: joined the UPU; see Rhodesia, Northern, Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Zamboanga: local post overprinted stamps for area in Philippines, operated by Spanish military, 1898.
Zamora: city in Spain, Spanish Civil War local post, Nationalist forces, 1936.
Zangezur: part of Armenia and Azerbaijan; surcharge on stamps of Russia for use as provisionals, 1919.
Zante: see Ionian Islands.
Zanzibar: see Tanzania
Zanzibar: overprint on stamps of British East Africa, India, 1895-96; see British East Africa, India.
Zanzibar: The Road to Zanzibar inscription, unissued Great Britain cinderella by David Horry, 2001.
Zanzibar: off coast of Tanganyika in East Africa; Sultanate made up of islands of Zanzibar and Pemba,; currency: 12 pies = 1 anna, 16 anna = 1 rupee, 100 cents = 1 rupee (1908), 100 cents = East African shilling (1935) 1875: used stamps of India, 1890: became a British protectorate, 1890, Aug. 27-July 31, 1891: German post office, 1894-1904: French post office operated, overprint/surcharge on stamps of France, 1895, Nov. 10: No.1, ½ anna, green, using stamps of British India with “Zanzibar” overprint, 1896: stamps of British East Africa overprinted “Zanzibar,” 1896, Sept. 30: first Zanzibar designs, 1897: French postage due issued, used in French post office, 1904, July 31: French post office closed, British took control over protectorate,. 1931: first postage due stamp, 1963, Dec.10: independent member of British Commonwealth, 1964, Jan. republic established as People’s Republic of Zanzibar, earlier stamps overprinted “Jamhuri 1964” (Republic), 1964, Feb. 28: first stamps as republic, 1964, April 26: Zanzibar joined Tanganyika, 1964, July.: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, renamed Tanzania, 1965, Oct. 17: first stamps inscribed Zanzibar, 1968, July 1: stamps replaced with those of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; now part of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Zanzibar, French Offices: currency: 16 annas = 1 rupee 1894: No.1, ½ anna on 5 centime green, surcharge on stamps of France, 1897: “Poste France Zanzibar” surcharge printed on the margins of sheets of french stamps.
Zanzibar-Tanzania: Zanzibar, 1965-66.
Zanzibaz: British Colonial Royal Wedding frames from book Surreal Stamps and Unreal Stickers.
Západ: (Czech.) West.
Zapadna Bosna: Bosnia local overprint for Western Bosnia, Rebel Muslim ministate, Western Bosnia, 1993-95.
Západni Evropa: (Czech.) Western Europe.
Západni Ukrajinsky: (Czech.) Western Ukraine.
Západni Nemecko: (Czech.) Western Germany.
Západni Samoa: (Czech.) Western Samoa.
Z.A.R.: (Zuid Africaansche Republiek) (Afrik.) South African Republic, overprint on stamps of Cape of Good Hope for British occupation of Vryeburg; see Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, South African Republic.
Zara: Dalmatian seaport, part of Austro-Hungarian Empire; 1918: taken by Italian forces from Austria, 1920: ceded to Italy, 1923: made a free port, 1929-42: Italian enclave on Yugoslav territory, 1943, Sept. 8: occupied by Germany, overprint “Deutsche Besetzung Zara” (German occupation Zara) on stamps of Italy, 1945: annexed to Yugoslavia.
Zaragoza: province in Spain, Spanish Civil War local post, Nationalist and Republican forces, 1936-37.
Zaragoza School: bogus local post, Spanish, 1953?
Zárí: (Czech.) September.
Zarkach: Poland-Zarki local post.
Zarska Bulgarska Posta: Royalist Bulgaria-Government in Exile labels, 1964.
Zarki: local post, Poland, German occupation, 1918.
Zawiercie: local post, Poland, German occupation, 1916.
Z.B.S.: see Germany: Zeitungs-Bucher-Spedition. Germanlocal post forBeuthen,Gleiwitz,Königshütten, Neisse, Oppein, 1896.
Z.B.V.B. Post: United Kingdom postal strike: local post 1971.
Zdunska Wola: city in German-occupied Russian Poland, local post overprint, 1918-20.
ZD., Zusammendruck: (Ger.) se-tenant.
Zece: (Rom.) ten (number).
Zechmeyer's transfers: German toymaker, made postage stamp transfers reproducing stamps for children.
Zefta: city in Egypt, Interpostal Seals used 1864-84, see Interpostal Seals.
Zegelregt: inscription on revenue stamps for use in Transvaal, 1895.
Zeichnung: (Ger.) design, artwork printed portion of a stamp, as distinguished from the surrounding margin of blank paper.
Zeitung: (Ger.) newspaper, periodical or journals.
Zeitungsmarke: (Ger.) inscription on stamps of Austria, Germany for newspaper stamp.
Zeitungsmarke Deutsches Reich: (Ger.) inscription on stamps of Germany for newspaper stamp.
Zeitungs Post Stempel: (Ger.) newspaper postage stamps.
Zeitungs Staempel: (Ger.) inscription on first newspaper stamp of Austria.
Zeitz: city in Germany, Courier local post, 1893-1900.
Zejla: city in Somaliland Protectorate, Interpostal Seals used 1864-84, see Interpostal Seals.
Zelaya: Nicaragua Province, aka Bluefields; 1904-05: first stamps issued, “B.Dpto.Zelaya” overprint to prevent currency manipulation, used to fill dealers’ orders, never regularly issued or used, 1909: first official stamps used overprint “Oficial B,” 1912: Zelaya and Cabo Gracias provinces’ currency was on a silver basis, rest of Nicaragua used paper money separate stamps issued; see Nicaragua, Cabo Gracias a Dios.
Zelená: (Czech.) green (color).
Zelenavy: (Czech.) greenish (color).
Zelenomodrá: (Czech.) green-blue (color).
Zelenosedá: (Czech.) green-grey (color).
Zelenozlutá: (Czech.) green-yellow (color).
Zeleny: (Czech.) green (color).
Zeleznice: (Czech.) railroad, railway.
Zellin, J. H.& Co.: inscription on Medicine stamp; see Private die proprietary stamps.
Zemetresení: (Czech.) earthquake.
Zemliansk: city in Russia, Zemstvo local post; 1874-80, see Zemstvo.
Zemstvos: (Russ.) term used for 2,427 local stamps issued by 345 Rural Districts (Zemstvos) in Russia, had their own regulations and postage rates; 1865-1917; mail could be taken to other local villages or put into the state post office where official Russian stamps had to added.
Zenkor: city in Russia, Zemstvo local post; 1860-1915, see Zemstvo.
Zenobia: April Fool's spoof using Hawaii and the Netherlands designs.
Zensierte post: (Ger.) censored mail.
Zensurstempel: (Ger.) censor cancel.
Zenter: (Ger.) center.
Zentraler Kurierdienst: (Ger.) "Courier Mail" overprint issued in 1947 by German Democratic Republic for sealing official correspondence, used for officials, 1956-57.
Zentriert: (Ger.) location of the stamp design on the piece of paper it is printed on; if it is exactly in the middle, it is called a "perfectly centered stamp."
Zentrierung: (Ger.) centering.
Zepelinová Posta: (Czech.) see Celistvosti - Zepelinová Posta
Zeppelin: German airship built by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, his firm Luftschiffbau Zeppelin or its related (Goodyear Zeppelin) or successor firms (Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei).
Zeppelin: overprint on stamps of Finland and Iceland, airmails, 1930.
Zeppelin Mail: stamp-like label privately printed by A.C. Roesler
Zeppelin Post: Liechtenstein airmails.
Zeppelins (Zepps): stamps issued for use in conjunction with the flights of the Graf Zeppelin and other rigid airships; covers carried on these ships are called "Zeppelin Covers."
Zero: postal administration mark for invalid stamps used on mail at country of origin.
Zerrissen: (Ger.) torn.
ZES: see Zil Elwannyen Sesel.
Zf., Zahnfehler: (Ger.) perforation fault.
Z Grill: two copies exist of the US 1867 1¢ blue Z grill, name not related to the shape of the grill; discoverer, William L. Stevenson could not decide to which family of grills the stamps belonged and called it "Z."
Zi: (Rom.) day.
Zickzackformig: (Ger.) zig-zag roulette format
Zieber's One Cent Dispatch: U. S. local post, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1851.
Ziegelrot: (Ger.) brick red color.
Zieher cards: postcards printed and sold by Otto Zieher, Munich, Germany in the early 1900s.
Zielfahrt: (Ger.) flight.
Zienkof: city in Russia, Zemstvo local post; 1878-1916, see Zemstvo.
Ziffer: (Ger.) figure, numeral.
Zig Zag lines: watermark seen on Korea, 1884.
Zig-zag roulette: the perforation cuts resemble the teeth of a saw.
Zil Eloigne Sesel: (Creol) see Zil Elwannyen Sesel.
Zil Elwagne Sesel: see Zil Elwannyen Sesel.
Zil Elwannyen Sesel: (ZES) outer islands, south of Seychelles, Aldabra, Farquhar and Des Roches of Seychelles; 1968-76: formerly part of the British Indian Ocean territory; 1980, June 20: No.1, 5¢; multicolor, stamps inscribed “Zil Eloigne Sesel” sold from the m.v. Cinq Juin, as a traveling post office, 1982, July 22: stamps inscribed “Zil Elwagne Sesel Seychelles,” stamps of ZES used when post offices ran out of Seychelles stamps, 1992, Dec. last new stamps appeared, plenty of stock on hand; see British Indian Ocean Territory, Seychelles.
Zillions of Stamps: Linn's Stamp News online retail website
Zimbabwe: southeastern Africa, formerly Southern Rhodesia; currency: 100 cents = 1 dollar 1890-1924: stamps of British South African Company, 1924: stamps inscribed “Southern Rhodesia,” 1980, April 18: No.1, 1¢ multicolor, first stamp as Republic of Zimbabwe, 1981, July 31: joined the UPU, first postage due stamp.
Zimska Pomoc: "Winter Help," overprint on stamps of Italy for occupation by Germany of Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.
Zimtbraun: (Ger.) cinnamon (color).
Zincography: printing from zinc plates.
Zinc orthosilicate: a phosphorescent suspension that glows under shortwave ultraviolet light; used as a taggant.
Zip: a cartoon character, designed by Howard B. Wilcox, looking like a postman printed on the margins of U.S. stamps and booklet panes since 1963. The man is referred to as Mr. Zip and is used to encourage people to use the Zone Improvement Plan code. It is always collected attached to the postage stamp. Mr. Zip officially retired in 1983, but he remained on the selvage of some stamps until 1986.
Zip+4: Addition of four digits to the basic Zip Code for sorting by carrier route and specific location; see Zip code, sector, segment.
Zip+4 barcode: a nine digit POSTNET (POSTal Numeric Encoding Technique) consisting of 52 vertical bars.
Zip+4 presort: bulk mail presorted to the nine-digit Zip Code and bundled.
Zip block: a margin block of U.S. stamps bearing the inscription "Use Correct Zip Code" in the salvage.
Zip code: U.S. postal code, uses five numbers; first introduced in the late 1960s, some early codes listed only three numbers; designates a specific geographic location; first three digits identify the delivery area of a sectional center facility or a major city post office ; the next two digits(fourth and fifth) digits identify the delivery area of an associate post office, post office branch, or post office station; see sector, segment.
Zipster Plus: a self-service, variable-denomination, coin-operated postage franking machine tested in postal stations April 1, 1992.
Zisemann, Griesheim & Co.: inscription on Match stamp; see Private die proprietary stamps.
Zitronengelb: (Ger.) citron (color).
Zittau: 1: city in Germany, Express-Packet-Beförderung, local post, 1887. 2: city in Germany, Verkehrsanstalt Courier, local post, 1898-1900.
ZKD: (Zentraler Kurierdienst) (Ger.) official mail in the DDR between government agencies and industries.
Zkousel: (Czech.) expertized (by).
Zkusmy tisk(y): (Czech.) proof(s), trial print(ing)(s).
Zl, Zloty: currency unit in Poland.
Zlatá: (Czech.) gold (metallic color).
Zlutá: (Czech.) yellow (color).
Zlutohnedá: (Czech.) yellow-brown, sienna (color).
Zlutoolivova: (Czech.) yellow-olive (color).
Zlutooranzová: (Czech.) yellow-brown, sienna (color).
Zlutooranzová: (Czech.) yellow-orange (color).
Zluty: (Czech.) yellow (color).
Z.M.: overprint on stamps of Mexico for Zacatecas provisionals.
Znalci: (Czech.) experts.
Známka: (Czech.) stamp, postage stamp.
Známka na vystrizku: (Czech.) postage stamp(s) on piece of paper or envelope, or on parcel clippings; see Vystrizek.
Známka nezoubkovaná: (Czech.) imperforate stamp.
Známka potravní dane: (Czech.) consumption tax stamp.
Známka postovne znehodnocená: (Czech.) postally cancelled stamp.
Známka postovním razítkem: (Czech.) postally used stamp, see Upotrebená.
Známka pro obchodní tiskopisy: (Czech.) printed matter stamp.
Známka s deskovou znackou: (Czech.) stamp with a plate marking
Známka s razítkem ochoty: (Czech.) stamp being cancelled to order.
Znamkové pole: (Czech.) plate position, sheet position.
Známkove sasitky: (Czech.) stamp booklets.
Známky: (Czech.) stamps.
ZOB: inscription on brick pictured in seal that is an abbreviation in Polish for the Jewish Battle Organization that fought against Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto uprising, 1943.
ZOFK: Zona Occupata Fiumano Kupa (Fiume Kupa Occupied Zone) overprint on stamps of Italy for Fiume; see Fiume.
Zöld: (Hung.) green (color).
Zöldfoki Szigetek: (Hung.) Cape Verde Island.
Zoll: (Ger.) customs.
Zollverein: a customs union of the North German States, formed in 1818.
Zolotonosha: city in Russia, Zemstvo local post; 1880-1916, see Zemstvo.
Zomerzegel: inscription on semipostals of Netherlands.
Zona: (Sp.) zone.
Zona de Ocupatie PTT 1919 Romania: (Rom.) overprint on stamps of Hungary, Romanian occupation, 1919.
Zona de Protectorado Espanol en Marruecos: (Sp.) overprint on stamps of Spain for Spanish Morocco, 1916-25.
Zona Occupata Fiumano Kupa: overprint on stamps of Yugoslavia, Italian Occupation.
Zone: a number that was part of US addresses until the start of the ZIP Code in 1963; inserted between the name of the city and the state.
Zone Francaise: inscription on stamps of France, occupation of Germany.
Zone Francaise Briefpost: overprint on stamps of Germany, French occupation, 1945-46.
Zone Matitima Terrestre: (Sp.) found on fiscals for port dues.
Zone Improvement Plan: see Zip.
Zoubkováne: (Czech.) perforated.
Zoubkováni: (Czech.) gauge of perforation.
Zoulouland: (Fr.) Zululand.
ZP: auction abbreviation for zeppelin
Zraca Posta: Trieste, Zone B, issued by Yugoslav military government.
Zrinyi Miklos (I), S.S.: steamship marking of the Danube Steam Navigation Company built around 1840s for service in the lower Danube.
Zrinyi Miklos (II), S.S.: steamship marking of the Danube Steam Navigation Company built around 1850s, for lower Danube lines.
Zrinyi Miklos (III), S.S.: steamship marking of the Danube Steam Navigation Company built 1910.
Z.Raketenstadt: (Ger.) Zucker rocket label, 1933.
Z.S.G.T.: (Zala Somogyi Steamship Co.), Hungary local post stamps, ferry service on Lake Balaton, 1873-76.
Zu: Zumstein catalog.
Zubehör: (Ger.) equipment used in the aid of stamp identification and handling.
Zugänglichkett: (Ger.) availability.
Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR): (Afrikaans) South African Republic, see Transvaal.
Zuidwest Afrika: (Africaans) overprint on stamps of South Africa for S.W. Africa, 1923.
Zukleber: (Ger.) sticker used to seal opened mail.
Zulassungsmarke: (Ger.) inscription for parcel stamps of German Feldpost; "Concession stamp," required on a letter sent by the military during World War II.
Zulia: bogus, Venezuelan seceding state,1894?
Zululand: east coast of southern Africa, formerly part of South Africa; currency: 12 pence = 1 shilling, 20 shillings = 1 pound 1884, Aug.16: the Transvaal, former area of Zululand, 1886-pre: used stamps of Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), 1886, Jan.: first local stamps with handstamped value and date; manufactured by Pietermaritzburg (Natal) printers and P Davis & Son as local printer inscribed “Nieuwe Republiek Zuid-Afrika.” 1887, May 9: Britain annexed area, became a colony, 1888, May 1: No.1, ½ penny vermilion, postal agreement with Natal, “Zululand ” overprint on stamps of Great Britain, 1888: “Zululand” overprint on revenue stamps of Nepal, joined the UPU, 1888, July 21: became part of the Transvaal, South African Republic, 1891, June 27: Nepal revenue issue proclaimed a postage stamp, 1894: first, and only, stamps issued inscribed “Zululand,” 1897, Dec. 31: colony of Zululand annexed to Natal, 1898, June 30: Zululand stamps discontinued, stamps of Natal used, 1903, Jan.: transferred to Natal, part of the Union of South Africa; see Natal.
Zumstein: European series of catalogues.
Z.u.n.Z.: Armenia.
Zusammendruck: (Ger.) se-tenant.
Zum, Zm: Zumstein Specialized Switzerland and Liechtenstein Postage Stamp Catalog.
Zur ansicht: (Ger.) on approval.
Zur / Devisenüberwachung / zollamtlich / geöffnet: (Ger.) Opened by Customs to Inspect for Currency, seal used to reseal envelope after inspection of mail for currency inspection, 1930s.
Zurich: inscription on Swiss cantonal stamps for Zurich, March 1843-50.
Zurino: "Quick,"overprint on newspaper stamps of Hungary used by Croatians for special delivery.
Zurück: (Ger.) return.
Zusammendruck: (Ger.) se-tenant; two or more unseparated stamps having different colors, denominations, or designs; se-tenant is French for "joined together."
Zusammenhangend: (Ger.) a connected pair of strip of stamps.
Zusatzfrankierung: (Ger.) additional postage.
Zysatzlich: (Ger.) : increased in any manner, additional
Zuschlag: (Ger.) surcharge.
Zwangszuschlagsmarke: (Ger.) compulsory surtax stamp.
Zwart: (Dut.) black color.
Zweifarbig: (Ger.) bicolored.
Zweisprachig: (Ger.) bilingual, two languages on the same stamp.
Zweiten Weltkreiges: (Ger.): second World War (WW 11) , (1939 / 1945).
Zwickau: 1: city in Germany, Courier local post, 1893-1900. 2: city in Germany, Express-Packet-Verkehr local post, 1889.
Zwischensteg: (Ger.) gutter.
Zwykla: (Pol.) regular/ordinary stamps of Poland.
Zypern: (Ger.) Cyprus.
Z.Z.Prac.Poczt. i Tel: Trade Union of the Post and Telecommunications Workers, Polish charity label for group that organized donations.