Surface Printed Issues

Surface printed stamps refer to a specific method of printing postage stamps, which became prominent in the mid-19th century. The term "surface printed" is used to distinguish this technique from earlier methods like line engraving or embossing.

While line-engraved stamps are historically significant and prized by collectors for their craftsmanship, they represent an early phase in the development of stamp printing technology. Their production was labor-intensive, and as demand for stamps increased, more efficient printing methods emerged.

While the earlier penny stamps are characterized by their detailed engraving in a single color, surface-printed stamps offer more flexibility in terms of color and design complexity. The transition from line engraving to surface printing in stamp production marked a significant evolution in philatelic technology.

Product Grading

Please refer to the following grading acronyms in relation to this category.

UM = Unmounted mint.
FMM = Fine Mounted Mint.
AMM = Average Mounted Mint, will have some defect.
VFU = Very Fine Used, with a very light postmark.
FU = Fine Used, with moderate postmark.
GU = Good Used, with heavier postmark.
AU = Average Used, slight defect such as poor cancel, pulled perf or small snagged corner.
SF = Stamp with faults, such as trimmed perfs, thinned, small tear.