A publication by the Austrian Philatelic Society.
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Clicking a letter in this table will jump to the corresponding letter in the list.
| A | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| 100. Geburtstag | 100th birthday, ie centenary |
| 100. Todestag | 100th anniversary, centenary, of death |
| a. | (= auf) on (eg rot a. blau = red on blue paper) |
| Abart | variety |
| Abbildung | photograph, illustration |
| Abdruck | copy; impression; print |
| abfertigen | to despatch, to post |
| Abfertiger | despatcher, one who posts |
| Abfertigung | despatch |
| Abgabe | delivery; or tax/postage due |
| abgebrochen | broken |
| abgekürzt | abbreviated |
| abgenützt | worn |
| abgerundet | rounded off |
| abgestumpft | blunt |
| Abklatsch | offset; impression; copy; offprint |
| Abkürzungen | abbreviations |
| abschiedsausgabe | final issue |
| Abschlag | postmark |
| absenden | to post |
| Absender | poster (one who posts); sender |
| Abstand | distance |
| Abstempelung | stamp (eg by marker); cancellation; pmk |
| Abstimmung | plebiscite |
| Abtönung | shade |
| abwärts | downwards |
| Abweichung | difference |
| Achsel | epaulette |
| Achteck(ig) | octagon(al) |
| achtstrahlig | having eight rays |
| Adler | eagle |
| Adresse teils entfernt | address partly removed |
| ähnlich | similar |
| Ahrengarbe | sheaf (of corn?) |
| allseitig | on all sides |
| Alpenrose | Alpine Rose (as on SG1103) |
| als Freimarken verwendet | used as stamps |
| Altbrief | pre-philatelic letter |
| Amtsbrief | official cover |
| amtlich | official (eg to claim free franking) |
| andersfarbig | printed in a different colour |
| Andreaskreuzansatz | part of St Andrew's Cross |
| aneinanderhängend | se-tenant |
| angeblich | sum alleged (on outside of money-containing letter) |
| Angebot | offer |
| angeschnitten | touched (or cut) |
| Anhänger | tab, label |
| Anhängsel | label, coupon |
| anilin X | aniline X |
| Anker | anchor |
| Ankunft | time of arrival |
| Ankunftsstempel | arrival postmark |
| Ansicht | view |
| Anteil | part |
| Anzahl | number |
| Armensteuermarken | poor-tax stamp (compulsory charity?) |
| Ätzdruck | acid-etched recess printing |
| auf ganzem Brief | on an entire |
| aufbrauchsausgabe | final issue for using-up whats on hand |
| Aufdruck | overprint (or surcharge) |
| Aufdruckfarbe | colour of overprint |
| Aufgabe | posting or registration of mail |
| aufgeben | to mail |
| aufkleben | to stick (eg stamp on letter) |
| Auflage | number/quantity issued |
| aufwärts | upwards |
| aus dem Briefkasten | cachet "found in the postbox" |
| Ausführung | design, style |
| Ausgabe | issue |
| ausgebessert | repaired (? slightly) |
| Aushilfsausgabe | provisional issue |
| AushilfsX | provisional X eg issue |
| Ausland | foreign country, abroad |
| Ausschnitt | cut square |
| Ausschnitte | cut-out |
| Ausschuß | printer's waste |
| außer Kurs | withdrawn (? from auction); obsolete |
| außerst selten | extremely rare |
| Ausstellung | exhibition |
| Automatenmarken | Frama labels |
| azur | azure |
| B | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Bahnpoststempel | T P O cancel |
| Balken | bar (esp. heraldic); printing spacer |
| Ballonfahrt | balloon flight |
| Ballonpost | balloon mail |
| Ballonpostbrief | balloon mail letter/cover |
| Band | scroll; band; strip; volume (of book) |
| Bar | cash |
| Barfrankatur | postage prepaid in cash |
| Bargeld | cash |
| Bautenserie | Buildings series (SG1294-1326) |
| Bdr. | (= buchdruck) surface printing process, typography, letterpr |
| Bedarfsbrief | letter mailed for non-philatelic purpose |
| befördert | transported |
| Beförderung | transport; forwarding; the conveyance for so doing |
| Befreiung | liberation |
| Befreiungsmarken | liberation stamps |
| Befund | expert finding, evidence |
| Beifrankatur | additional postage |
| beige | beige |
| Bekanntmachung | advertisment, publication |
| belanglos | insignificant |
| Beleg | proof of authenticity, documentation, voucher |
| beleuchtet | moist, damped |
| berichtigt | corrected |
| berührt | touched |
| beschädigt | damaged |
| beschnitten | cut close |
| beschränkt | limited |
| besetzte Gebiete | occupied territory |
| Besetzung | occupation |
| Besetzungsausgaben | occupation issues |
| Besetzungsbehörde | army of occupation |
| besondere | special |
| Bestätigungsstempel | confirming postmark |
| Bezeichnung | title, designation |
| Bezirk | district |
| Bezirksaufdruck | district overprint |
| Bildnis | portrait |
| Bildseite | front |
| Bindestrich | hyphen |
| bl. | (= blau) blue |
| blaßultramarin | pale ultramarine |
| blaßX | pale X (colour) |
| Blatt | sheet |
| Blattenden | margins, ends of sheet |
| blau | blue |
| blaugrau | blue-grey |
| blaugrün | blue-green |
| bläulich | bluish |
| bläulichgrau | bluish grey |
| bläulichgrun | bluish green |
| bläulichviolett | bluish violet |
| bläurötlich | maroon |
| blauschiefer | blue-slate |
| blauviolett | deep violet, blue-violet |
| Blinddruck | albino (print) |
| Block | miniature sheet, sheetlet; sometimes "block" |
| Blockausgabe | issue in miniature sheet(let) format |
| Blokschrift | block type (-face) |
| blutrot | blood red |
| Bogen | sheet (& arch, arc, bow, share certificate!) |
| Bogenabklatsch | sheet offset |
| Bogenanordnung | setting |
| Bogenecke | corner of sheet |
| bogenförmig | arched |
| Bogenlage | position of sheet |
| Bogenmitte | gutter |
| Bogenperforierung | sheet perforation (same as harrow) |
| Bogenplatz | sheet position |
| Bogenrand | margin of sheet |
| Bogenwasserzeichen | sheet watermark |
| Bogenzähnung | sheet perforation (same as harrow) |
| bordeauxrot | carmine-red; claret |
| Botenlohn | delivery fee (esp. Vienna pneu. post) |
| br. | (= braun) brown |
| braun | brown |
| braungelb | bistre |
| braunkarmin | brown-carmine |
| bräunlichkarmin | brownish carmine |
| bräunlichlila | brownish lilac |
| bräunlichlilarot | brownish lilac-red |
| bräunlichocker | brownish ochre |
| bräunlichrot | brownish red |
| bräunlichviolett | brownish violet |
| braunlila | brown-lilac; dull purple |
| braunocker | brown-ochre |
| braunoliv | brown-olive |
| braunorange | brown-orange |
| braunrot | Venetian red; brown lake; chocolate |
| braunschwarz | brown-black |
| braunviolett | brown-violet |
| breit | wide |
| breitrandig | wide margin |
| Brief | cover, letter |
| Briefhülle | envelope |
| Briefkaste | postbox |
| Briefkopf | letter head |
| Briefmarke | postage stamp |
| Briefmarkenauschnitte | envelope cut squares |
| Briefmarkenausstellung | stamp exhibition |
| Briefstempel | postmark, cancellation |
| Briefstück | piece (of cover) |
| Briefträger | postman |
| Briefumschlag | envelope |
| bronze | bronze |
| bronzegrün | bronze-green |
| Bruch | crease, crack |
| brüchig | cracked, esp. by the gum |
| Brustbild | bust |
| Brustschild | breast shield |
| Buchdruck | surface printing process, typography, letterpress |
| Büchse | the letter-transmitting container used in the Vienna pneumatic post |
| Buchstabe | letter, character (eg 'a') |
| Bug | slight crease |
| Bundesmarken | stamps of federal states |
| Buntdruck | coloured print |
| Buntfrankaturen | combination frankings |
| Bushwindröschen | Busy Anemone (as on SG1099) |
| bzw. | (= beziehungsweise) respectively, that is, i.e. |
| C | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| chamois | pale greenish yellow |
| chemisch | chemically |
| chromgelb | chrome yellow |
| D | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| d. ( = dunkel) | dark |
| d.i. | (= das ist) that is, i.e. |
| Damenbrief | small size cover ("lady's letter") |
| Dampfschiff | steamer |
| Darstellung | design |
| Datum | date |
| dehnen | to enlarge |
| dezentriert | off centre |
| Dienstkarte | official card |
| Dienstmarke | official (postage etc) stamp |
| Dienstsiegel | official seal |
| Doppeladler | double headed eagle: Aus/Hun Empr's symbol |
| Doppeldruck | double impression or print |
| Doppelkreisstempel | double circle postmark |
| Doppelseitig | both sides |
| dottergelb | egg-yolk yellow, golden-yellow |
| Dreieck | triangle |
| Dreierstreifen | strip of three |
| dreifarbig | printed in three colours |
| dreizeilig | of three lines |
| Druck | print, impression |
| Druckabart | printing variety |
| Druckauflage | number issued |
| Druckausschuß | printers waste |
| Druckbogen | printing sheet |
| Druckerei | printing works |
| Druckfarbe | printers ink |
| Druckfehler | misprint, error |
| Druckform | cliché, printing block |
| Druckmangel | imperfection in printing |
| Druckprobe | proof |
| Drucksache | printed matter |
| Druckvermerk | printer's imprint |
| Druckwerk | publications |
| dunkel | dark |
| dunkelblau | dark blue, indigo |
| dunkelblaugrau | dark blue-grey |
| dunkelblaugrün | dark blue-green |
| dunkelbläulichgrün | dark bluish-green |
| dunkelbraun | dark brown, sepia |
| dunkelbraunkarmin | dark brown-carmine |
| dunkelchrom | dark chrome |
| dunkelgelbgrün | dark yellow-green |
| dunkelgrau | dark grey |
| dunkelgraublau | dark grey-blue |
| dunkelgraugrün | dark grey-green |
| dunkelgrün | dark green |
| dunkelgrünblau | dark green-blue |
| dunkelgrüngrau | dark green-grey |
| dunkelkarmin | dark carmine, purple, brown-lake |
| dunkelkarminbraun | dark carmine-brown |
| dunkelkobaltblau | deep violet blue |
| dunkellila | purple; deep lilac |
| dunkellilabraun | dark lilac brown |
| dunkellilagrau | dark lilac grey |
| dunkelolivgrau | dark olive grey, greenish-grey |
| dunkelolivgrün | dark olive green |
| dunkelorange | deep orange |
| dunkelpurpur | purple |
| dunkelrosalila | dark rose-lilac |
| dunkelrötlichlila | dark reddish-lilac |
| dunkelsämisch | deep chamois |
| dunkelsiena | dark sienna, sepia |
| dunkelviolett | deep purple; slate-violet; dark violet |
| dunkelviolettblau | dark violet-blue |
| dunkelviolettbraun | dark violet-brown |
| dunkelviolettgrau | dark violet-grey |
| dünn | thin |
| durchlöchern | to put holes in, to perforate |
| durchschlagend | transparent, visible on the back |
| Durchschnittsstück/qualität | average copy |
| durchsichtig | transparent |
| durchstechen | to cut through, to perforate |
| Durchstich | roulette |
| durchstochen | rouletted |
| Durchstreichung | pen cancel |
| durchstrichen | barred, crossed through |
| E | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| echt | genuine |
| Eckbuchstabe | corner letter |
| Ecke | corner |
| Eckrandstück | corner copy |
| Eckverzierungen | corner scrolls |
| Edelweiss | Edelweiss (the flower) |
| efeugrün | myrtle-green |
| Eilbote | express; express messenger |
| Eilmarke | stamp to pay for express delivery |
| Einbezahlt | Post paid, esp 1945-46 covers |
| einbuchtung | curved |
| einfaches (Papier) | wove (paper) |
| einfarbig | in one colour, self-coloured |
| Einfassungslinie | an outer line |
| eingedruckt | stamped, embossed |
| eingefaßt | framed |
| eingelocht | punched with holes |
| eingepreßt | embossed |
| eingeschrieben | registered (often struck on item) |
| Einkreisstempel | single circle postmark |
| Einschreibemarke | registration stamp |
| einschreiben | to register |
| Einschreibezettel | registration label |
| einseitig | on one side (often with symbol, meaning imperf 1 side) |
| einwandfrei | immaculate |
| einzeiler Langstempel | single straightline postmark |
| Einzelfrankatur (en) | single franking (s) |
| einzeilig | in one line |
| Eirund | oval |
| Eirundeinfassung | oval frame of pearls/beads |
| Eisenbahnpaketmarke | railway parcel stamp |
| Elfenbeinküste | Ivory Coast |
| Empfänger | addressee |
| endgültige Ausgabe | definite (?definitive) issue |
| entfernt | removed |
| entrichtet | Post paid, esp 1945-46 covers |
| entwertet | cancelled |
| Entwertung | cancellation (lit. by removing the value) |
| Entwertungsstempel | cancellation by impact of stamper |
| Entwurf | essay, design |
| Enzian | Gentian (as on SG1106) |
| eosinrosa | eosine-rose |
| ER | Erga Recepisse: against a receipt (on old letters) |
| Erfüllungsstempel | revenue stamp applied to privately-printed paper |
| Erg. | (= Ergänzungswert) additional value |
| Ergänzungswerte | additional values |
| Erhaltung | condition |
| Erinnerung | commemmorative |
| Erinnerungsausgabe | commemmorative issue |
| Erkennungszeichen | points of difference |
| ernsthaft | serious |
| Eröffnungsflug | inauguration flight |
| Erstflug | first flight |
| Erstflugbrief | first flight cover/letter |
| Ersttag | first day |
| Ersttagsblatt | first day sheet or card |
| Ersttagsbrief | first day cover (abbrev FDC not ETB) |
| est(afette) | marking on express letter by special messenger |
| Etappen-Postamt | Mobile field post office |
| ETB. | (= ersttagsblatt) first day sheet or card |
| ex offo | official (to claim free franking) |
| F | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| F. | (= fehldruck) printing error or = fehlfarbe: colour error |
| Fabrikwasserzeichen | paper maker's watermark |
| Fachpresse | philatelic press (the) |
| fahl | pale |
| fahlblau | pale blue |
| fahlbraun | pale brown |
| falsch | forged (especially if to deceive collectors) |
| Falschstempel | forged cancel |
| Fälschung | forgery |
| Faltbrief | folded letter |
| Faltbriefhülle | sheet folded to form envelope |
| Falte | paper fold |
| Falz | hinge |
| falzlos | never hinged |
| Falzreste | hinge mark |
| Farbänderung | change of colour |
| Farbe | colour |
| Farbenabart | colour variety |
| Farbenabweichung | shade |
| farbig | coloured, dyed (paper) |
| farblos | white, colourless |
| Farbwechsel | change of colour |
| Faserpapier | granite paper |
| FDC. | first day cover! |
| Federstrichentwertung | pen cancel |
| Federzug | lines (as cancel) esp by pen |
| Federzugentwertung | pen cancel |
| Fehl | defect, fault |
| Fehldruck | printing error |
| fehlerhaft | defective |
| Fehlfarbe | error of colour |
| Fehlzähnung | error of perforation |
| fein | fair, good, fine (quality) |
| feiner Bart | fine beard (1867 Austrian issue) |
| Feldpost | field post |
| Feldpostmarke | military post stamp |
| fett | thick |
| fettig | oily |
| fiskalgebraucht | fiscally used |
| fiskalisch | fiscal, revenue (adj.) |
| Flachdruck | lithography (flat printing) |
| flaggenrot | deep sepia; blackish brown |
| Fleck | stain |
| fleischfarben | flesh colour |
| fleischrosa | flesh pink |
| Fluggebühr | air fee |
| Fluglinie | air route |
| Flugpost | air mail |
| Flugpostbrief | airmail letter |
| Flugpostmarke | airmail stamp |
| Flug-Sonderstempel | special airmail cancellation |
| Flugzeuggebühr | air plane charge |
| fluoreszierend | fluorescent |
| Format | size |
| Forschung | investigation, research |
| Fraktur (-schrift) | The German & Austrian typeface often (mis)called Gothic |
| Frankatur | postage |
| frankaturgültig | postally valid (eg SG1072 on) |
| frankieren | to (apply a) stamp |
| Frankostempel | post paid |
| freigemacht | stamped, franked (literally "made free of the post"); in particular post paid in cash etc, esp 1945-46 covers |
| freimachen | to stamp ("make free of the post") |
| Freimarke | stamp (as separate entity); in particular definitive |
| Freimarken als Stempelmarken gebraucht | postage stamps used for revenue |
| für Sammelzwecke | philatelic, for collecting purposes |
| G | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Ganzsache | postal stationary with imprinted stamp |
| Ganzsache Karte | postal card with imprinted stamp |
| Ganzsache Umschlag | postal envelope with imprinted stamp |
| Ganzsachen | stationery |
| Ganzstück | entire |
| geändert | altered, changed |
| gebraucht | used, cancelled |
| gebraunte | browned |
| Gebühr | tax, fee |
| Gebührbezahlt | post paid, esp 1945-46 covers |
| Gebührenmarken | tax, fee, duty stamps |
| Gebührstempel | tax mark |
| Geburtstag | birthday |
| Gedenkausgabe | commemorative issue |
| Gedenkblock | souvenir sheet |
| Gefälligkeitsabstempelung | the act of cancelling to order |
| Gefälligkeitsstempel | a cancel applied to order |
| gefälscht | faked |
| Gefaltet | folded |
| Gefangenenlager | P.O.W. camp (possibly also civilian internment?) |
| gefärbt | tinted |
| gefasertes (Papier) | granite (paper) |
| gegensatz | contrast (in c. to) |
| gegittert (Papier) | quadrille (paper) |
| geklebtes (Papier) | gummed (paper) |
| gekreidetes (Papier) | chalk surfaced (paper) |
| gekreuzt | crossed |
| gekürzt | abbreviated |
| gelb | yellow |
| gelbbraun | yellow-brown, bistre |
| gelbgrün | yellow-green |
| gelblich | yellowish |
| gelblichgrün | yellowish-green |
| gelbocker | yellow-ochre |
| gelboliv | yellow-olive, olive-bistre |
| gelborange | yellow-orange |
| Geldanweisung | money, postal order |
| gelocht (teleg. Entwertung) | punched hole (telegraph cancel) |
| Gemälde | paintings |
| Gemeindebehörden | municipal government offices |
| geprüft | expertised |
| gereinigt | cleaned |
| Gerichts[steuer]marken | judicial service stamps |
| Gerichtsbehörden | law courts |
| geriffelt (Papier) | rippled (paper) |
| gerilltes (Papier) | fluted (paper) |
| geripptes (Papier) | ribbed (paper) |
| Geschaftsbrief | business letter |
| geschnitten | imperforate (literally "cut") |
| geschweift | curved |
| gesprenkeltes (Papier) | flecked (paper) |
| gestempelt | postmarked |
| gestochen | engraved |
| gestreiftes (Papier) | laid (paper) |
| gestrichen (Papier) | chalk surfaced, coated (paper) |
| getönt | toned |
| getöntes (Papier) | tinted (paper) |
| gewöhnlich | ordinary (esp. of paper surface) |
| gewöhnliches Schriftgussmetal | ordinary type-metal (eg as used for 1850 issue cliches) |
| gewöhnliches Stück | average copy |
| gez. | (= gezähnt) perforated |
| gez. K. | comb perforated |
| gez. Ks. | harrow perforated |
| gezähnt | perforated |
| Glanzpapier | glossy paper |
| glatt | smooth |
| glattes | wove (paper) |
| gleichmaßige | uniform, regular |
| gleichwertig | equivalent |
| gleichzeitig | simultaneously |
| Gliederung | classification |
| gold | gold |
| golden | golden |
| gotisch | gothic |
| grasgrün | grass-green |
| grau | grey |
| graublau | grey-blue |
| graubraun | grey-brown |
| graugrün | grey-brown |
| gräulich | greyish |
| graulila | grey-green |
| grauschiefer | grey-lilac |
| grauschwarz | grey-black; slate grey; sepia |
| grauultramarin | grey-slate |
| grauviolett | grey-black |
| gravierende | weightier; aggravating |
| Gravierung | engraving |
| Grenzpostamt | border post office |
| Größe | size |
| großer Bart | coarse beard (1867 Austrian issue) |
| Großfrankatur | high and (?or) multiple franking |
| grotesk | sans serif |
| grün | green |
| grünblau | green-blue |
| Grund | background |
| grüngrau | green-grey |
| grünlichblau | greenish-blue |
| grünlichgelb | greenish-yellow |
| grünlichschiefer | blue-green ("greenish slate") |
| grünoliv | green-olive |
| grünschiefer | green-slate |
| grünschwarz | green-black |
| gültig | valid, available |
| Gummi | gum |
| Gummidruck | offset printing |
| Gummiriffelung | gum ribbing |
| Gummistempel | rubber overprint |
| Gunsten, zu | for charity |
| H | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| h. X (abbrev. of hell) | light X (colour) |
| Häkchen | small hook |
| Hakenkreuz | swastika |
| halbamtlich | semi-official |
| halbiert | bisected |
| Halbkreisstempel | semi-circle postmark |
| Halbmond | crescent |
| Handpapier | handmade paper |
| handschriftlich | handwritten |
| Handstempel | handstamp |
| Hanfpapier | manilla paper |
| Hauptplatte | key-plate |
| Haupttypen | principal types |
| H-Blatt | booklet pane |
| Heckenrose | Dog Rose |
| Heftchen | stamp booklet |
| Heftchenblatt | booklet pane |
| hellachsfarben | pale salmon |
| hellbläulichgrün | pale bluish green, dull green |
| hellgrau | pale grey |
| hellgrünlichbläu | pale greenish blue |
| helllilarot | pale lilac red |
| hellkobalt | pale cobalt |
| hellorangerot | pale orange red |
| hellrot | pale red |
| helltürkisblau | pale blue |
| hellviolett | pale violet |
| hellviolettblau | pale violet-blue |
| hellX | light X (colour) |
| Hilfsmarken | provisional stamps |
| himmelblau | azure; sky blue |
| Hintergrund | background |
| Hochdruck | typography |
| Hochformat | upright format ("portrait") |
| Höfen | white spot flaw |
| Hoheitszeichen | national emblem |
| Holzschnitt | woodcut |
| Holzstempel | woodcut stamp |
| Hosenband | garter |
| Hülle | envelope |
| Hülse | the jacket on a cylinder of the Vienna pneumatic post |
| Hungerhilfe | famine relief |
| I | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| indigo | indigo; deep violet blue |
| indigoblau | indigo, indigo-blue |
| indischrot | red-brown |
| inland | internal, domestic |
| innenseite | inside |
| Inschrift | inscription |
| interallierte Verwaltung | allied administration |
| Invalidenmarken | stamps to raise money for invalids |
| J | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Jahrestag | anniversary |
| Jahreszahl | date of the year (esp. printed in sheet margin) |
| Jahrhundertfeier | centenary |
| Jubiläum | jubilee |
| Jubiläumsausgabe | jubilee issue |
| K | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| K. | (= Kammzähnung) comb perf |
| Kabinettstück | extremely fine, superb item |
| Kaiser | emperor |
| kaiserlich | imperial |
| Kammperforierung | comb perforation |
| Kammzähnung | comb perforation |
| kanariengelb | canary yellow |
| karmin | carmine; rose-red; deep carmine |
| karminbraun | carmine-brown |
| karminlila | carmine-lilac |
| karminrosa | carmine-pink; bright carmine |
| karminrot | carmine-red |
| Kartenbrief | letter-card |
| Karten-Brief | letter-card, especially of the Vienna pneumatic post |
| Kartonpapier | very thick paper |
| kastanie | chestnut |
| kastanienbraun | chestnut |
| Kastenperforierung | harrow perforation (same as sheet) |
| Kastenzähnung | harrow perforation (same as sheet) |
| Kehrdruck | tête-bêche |
| Kenn-Nr. | identification number |
| Kettenkreise | chain in a circle |
| Klammer | bracket (parenthesis) |
| Klebezettel | adhesive label |
| klein | small |
| Klischee | cliche, printing block |
| knapp | cut close |
| kobalt | cobalt |
| kobaltblau | cobalt blue |
| komb. | combined (NOT comb perf!) |
| kommissarische Regierung | commissary government |
| König | king |
| königlich | royal |
| Königreich | kingdom |
| Kontrollbuchstabe | control letter |
| Kontrollzeichen | control mark |
| Konturen | outlines |
| kopfstehend | inverted |
| kornblumenblau | cornflower blue |
| Korrekturabzüge | proof |
| krapprot | madder-red |
| Kreidepapier | chalky paper |
| Kreis | circle (also a local government unit) |
| Kreuzeinfassung | framed cross |
| Kriegsdruck | wartime printing |
| Kriegsmarke | war stamp |
| Kriegssteuermarke | war tax stamp |
| Krone | crown |
| Ks. | harrow perf |
| Küchenschelle | Anemone |
| Kunde | client |
| künstlich | artificial, manmade |
| Kupferdruck | copperplate; engraved |
| Kupferdruckmarken | (line) engraved stamps |
| kupferrot | copper-red |
| kursierend | current |
| Kuvertausschnitt | cut square |
| L | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| L. | line perf; a blank label |
| Lachs | salmon (the fish) |
| lachsfarben | salmon (colour) |
| Lackstreifen | varnish bars |
| Ladurner | stitch watermark |
| Landeplatzstempel | airport postmark |
| Landesausstellung | national exhibition |
| Landpost | rural post |
| Langstempel | straight-line postmark |
| lateinische Inschrift | roman letters |
| lebhaft | bright |
| lebhaftultramarin | bright ultramarine |
| lebhaftviolett | bright violet |
| Leerfeld | blank field |
| leifern | supply |
| Leisten | edging, selvedge |
| leuchtend | brilliant |
| lichtblau | light blue |
| Liebhaberlos | fancy lot (& expensive!!) |
| Liebhaberwert | sentimental value |
| liegend | horizontal |
| lila | lilac; mauve; purple |
| lilabraun | chocolate; brown-purple; lilac-brown |
| lilagrau | lilac-grey |
| lilakarmin | lilac-carmine |
| lilapurpur | lilac-purple |
| lilarosa | lilac-rose; carmine |
| lilarot | claret; carmine; magenta; lilac-red |
| lilaschwarz | lilac-black |
| Linie | air route; line; stroke |
| Linieneinfassung | border of lines |
| Linienperforierung | line perforation |
| Linienzähnung | line perforation |
| liniert | ruled |
| Lochentwertung | cancellation by punching |
| Löcher | holes, eg between teeth of perforation |
| Lochgröße | size of perforation |
| Lokalaufdruck | local overprint |
| Lokalausgabe | local issue |
| Los | lot (at auction) |
| lösliche Farbe | fugitive colour |
| Lp. (= Liebhaberpreis) | fancy price |
| Luftpostverbindung | airmail collection |
| Lupenrand | very small margin |
| Luxusstück | superb, extremely fine item |
| M | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Magistrat | Town- or local-government; NOT a law court. |
| maigrün | celadon, willow-green |
| Makulatur | printers waste |
| Mangel | defect |
| mangelhaft | defective |
| Manschette | the tail-piece on a cylinder of the Vienna pneumatic post |
| Marke | stamp |
| Markenausgaben | issued stamps |
| Markenbild | design (of stamp) |
| Markengattung | description, sort or type of stamps |
| Markenheft | stamp booklet |
| Markenheftchen | stamp booklet |
| Markenrand | margin (of stamp) |
| Markenrolle | coil |
| Maschinenpapier | machine-made paper |
| matt | pale, dull, matt |
| mattgelb | dull yellow |
| mattgrau | dull grey |
| mattpurpur | pale purple |
| meergrün | sea-green |
| mehrfach | multiple |
| Mehrfachfrankatur | multiple franking by stamps of same type |
| mehrfarbig | printed in many colours |
| Mennige | minium (red lead) |
| Merkurkopf | Mercury head (esp. on newspaper stamps) |
| Metallstempel | steel die |
| mfg. | printed in many colours |
| MH. | stamp booklet |
| milchblau | milk blue |
| Militärpostmarke | military postage stamp |
| miloriblau | blue |
| Mischfrankatur | mixed franking by stamps of various issues |
| Mischzähnung | compound perforation |
| mißtrauen | suspect |
| mit übergehendem Stempel | with postmark |
| Mittelbild | escutcheon |
| mittelstark | of medium thichness |
| mittelX | medium X |
| Molette | a printing process |
| moosgrün | bronze-green; moss-green |
| Münzbezeichnung | currency |
| Muster | type; specimen |
| N | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| nach abgang der Post | posted too late (letter marking): literally "after the going of the post" |
| Nachahmung | forgery, imitation |
| Nachbildung | reproduction |
| Nachdruck | facsimile; reprint |
| nacheinander | successively, in sequence |
| Nachfrankatur | stamps added abroad for foreign fees |
| Nachgebühr | postage due (eg on Austrian 1980's P.D. issue) |
| nachgemalt | painted in |
| nachgraviert | retouched, re-engraved |
| nachgummiert | regummed (by a dealer or seller, not the Post Office!) |
| Nachnahme | cash on delivery |
| Nachnahmebetrag | cash on delivery amount |
| Nachporto | postage due |
| Nachportomarke | postage due |
| nachträglich entwertet | circular-handstamp-cancelling at destination of stamps uncancelled at source |
| Nachzahlungsgebühr | postage, tax due |
| Nadelstich | pin prick |
| Nagelkopfprägung | nail-head embossing |
| Nahtwasserzeichen | stitch watermark |
| naturbraun | sepia |
| Nennwert | face value |
| Netz | network (eg of cracks) |
| Neuauflage | new printing |
| Neudruck | reprint (often of no-longer-valid stamp) |
| Neugravierung | re-engraving |
| Neuheiten | new issues |
| Nominale | selling price |
| Notausgabe | emergency issue |
| Notgeldmarken | emergency money stamps |
| Notstempel | emergency cancellations |
| Nuance(n) | shade(s) |
| Nummernstempel | numeric cancel |
| O | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| o.G. | (= ohne Gummi) without gum |
| ocker | buff; ochre |
| ockergelb | ochre-yellow |
| Odr. | (= offsetdruck) offset litho |
| Offsetdruck | offset lithography |
| öliger Druck | oily print |
| oliv | olive |
| olivegrau | olive-grey |
| olivgelb | olive-yellow |
| olivgrün | olive green |
| olivschwarz | olive-black |
| orange | orange |
| orangebraun | orange-brown |
| orangegelb | orange-yellow |
| orangerot | vermilion, orange-red |
| Originalgummi | original gum |
| Ornamentgrund | ornamented background |
| Ortsausgabe | local issue |
| Ortspostmarke | local stamp |
| Ortsstempel | town postmark |
| oWz. | no watermark (where there should be one) |
| P | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Paar | pair |
| Paketbegleitbriefen | letters accompanying packet |
| Paketkarte | post office card accompanying parcels |
| Paketmarke | parcel post stamp |
| Papierabarten | paper error or variety |
| Papierfalte | paperfold |
| Papiermasse | pulp, paper maché |
| pergamentartig | parchment-like |
| Pergamentpapier | parchment paper |
| Perlenkreis | beaded circle |
| Platte | plate |
| Plattenfehler | plate flaw or error |
| poriges Papier | porous paper |
| Porto | postage; mail charges; postage due |
| Portofrei | prepaid, post free |
| Portofreiheitsmarke | free frank mark, franchise stamp |
| Portogerecht (Frankatur) | postage sufficient |
| Portomarke | postage due stamp |
| Portozuschlag | postage surcharge |
| Post | post office; postal service; mail |
| Postablage | letter receiving office (esp. rural in Bosnia & Herz.) |
| Postamt | post office |
| Postamtlich | officially |
| Postanweisung | money order |
| Postanweisungsmarke | money order stamp |
| Postbeamte | post office clerk |
| Postbezirk | postal district |
| Postfälschungen | postal forgeries |
| postfrisch | mint never hinged with original gum |
| Postgebühren | postage (?due) fees |
| Posthilfsstelle | letter receiving office (esp. rural) |
| Postkarte | post-card |
| Postkreis | postal district |
| Postlagernd | poste restante |
| Postmarke | postage stamp |
| Postordnung | postal regulation |
| Postpaketmarke | parcel stamp |
| Postpaketverrechnungsmarken | parcel post control stamps |
| Postpreis | franking value |
| Postschein (Recepisse) | postal receipt for registered mail |
| Postsendungen | |
| Postsparkasse | post office savings bank |
| Postsparmarke | post office savings bank stamps |
| Poststelle | letter receiving office |
| Poststempel | postmark, cancellation |
| Poststreikmarke | postal strike stamp |
| Poststützpunktmarke | postal agency's stamp |
| postwendend | by return of post |
| Postwertzeichen | postage stamp (sign of postal value) |
| Postzahlschein | postal order |
| Prachtstück | (very) fine item |
| prachtrot | carmine-red |
| Prägedruck | embossed printing |
| preußichblau | Prussian blue |
| Primel | Primrose (as on SG1101) |
| Probe(druck) | essay, proof |
| Provisorium/en | provisional stamps |
| Prüfung | expertisation, examination |
| Prüfungszeichen | expert's mark |
| Punkt | dot |
| punktiert | dotted |
| purpur | purple |
| purpurlila | purple-lilac |
| purpurviolett | purple-violet; dull purple |
| Q | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Quadrat | square, cut square |
| Quadrat Ausschnitt | cut square |
| Quadrilliertes | quadrille or batonne (paper) |
| Quereirund | ellipse, horizontal oval |
| quer | across, diagonally |
| Querformat | "portrait" vertical format |
| Querrechteck | oblong |
| Querstriche | bars across |
| R | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Radgangstempel | "dated-wheel cancel" esp. bridge type |
| Rahmen | frame |
| Rahmenstempel | boxed postmark |
| rahmfarben | cream |
| Rakeltiefdruck | rotogravure |
| Rand | margin, border |
| Randbedruckung | printed border |
| Randdruck | margin print |
| Randgemeinde(n) | suburb(s) |
| Randinschrift | marginal inscription |
| Randleiste | border line |
| Randspalt | small marginal tear |
| Randstück | marginal copy |
| Randwasserzeichen | margin watermark |
| Rastertiefdruck | photogravure |
| RaTdr | (= rastertiefdruck) photogravure |
| Rauten | lozenges |
| Recepisse | postal receipt for registered mail |
| Rechteck | rectangle |
| Regierung | government |
| registrieren | to register |
| registrierte | registered (often struck on item) |
| reichbleichgold | golden |
| Reichsapfel | orb (as with sceptre) |
| Reichshälfte | provinces |
| Reihe | series, row |
| Reihenzähnung | comb perforation |
| rekommandieren | to register |
| rekommandiert | registered (often struck on item) |
| Rekozettel | registration label |
| repariert | repaired |
| reseda | mignonette (a pale green) |
| Restbestände | stock remainder |
| Retourmarke | return stamp |
| Rhomben | lozenges |
| Ring | circle |
| Ringe | circles |
| Riß | tear |
| Rißchen | small tear |
| Rohrpost | pneumatic mail |
| ros. | (= rosa) rose |
| rosa | rose; pink; carmine |
| rosakarmin | carmine-rose |
| rosalila | rose-lilac, purple |
| rost | rust |
| rostbraun | rust-brown |
| rot | red; carmine; rose-scarlet |
| rotbläulich | reddish purple |
| rotbraun | red-brown, maroon |
| Rotkreuz | Red Cross |
| rötlichbraun | cinnamon |
| rötlichlila | mauve |
| rötlichocker | reddish-ochre |
| rötlichsämisch | reddish-chamois |
| rotlila | bright mauve; mauve; purple |
| rotorange | (red-)orange |
| rotviolett | deep mauve; violet |
| rückdatiert | back-dated |
| Rückflug | return flight |
| Rückschein | return (? recorded delivery) certificate |
| rückseitig | on the back |
| rund | round |
| russischgrün | Russian green, myrtle |
| S | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| S. | (= Seite) page; (= Schwarz) black overprint |
| s.X | see X |
| saffrangelb | saffron |
| sägeartig | serrated |
| sämisch | buff; chamois |
| Sammler | collector |
| sammlerwurdige | collectable |
| Sammlung | collection |
| Sandkorn | grain of sand (as source of white spots) |
| satiniert | satin-like glazed |
| Satz(Sätze) | set(sets) |
| Satzbrief | cover with complete set of an issue |
| Schalter | counter, esp. in a Post Office, where customers are served |
| Schalterausgabe | normal, regular issue |
| Schalterbogen | counter sheet |
| scharlach | scarlet |
| schattiert | shaded |
| Schatzwerte | estimated values (in auction catalogue) |
| schief | slanting, oblique |
| schiefer | slate |
| schieferblau | slate blue |
| Schiffspostmarke | ship post stamp |
| Schild | shield |
| Schlangenlinie | serpentine (esp. roulette) |
| Schleife | wrapper for newspapers & printed items |
| Schlingen | loops |
| Schnittlinien | dividing lines |
| schokoladen | chocolate |
| schraffiert | shaded |
| schräg | slanting, oblique |
| Schrägschrift | italics |
| Schreibmaschinenschrift | typewriting |
| Schreibpapier | banknote paper |
| Schreibschrift | italics |
| Schürfstelle | rubbed spot |
| Schürfung | rubbing |
| Schutzziffer | control number |
| schwacher | unclear |
| schwarz | black |
| schwarzblau | blackish blue |
| schwarzblaugrün | blackish blue-green |
| schwarzbraun | blackish brown, deep brown |
| schwarzgrau | black-grey |
| schwärzlich | blackish |
| schwarzlila | blackish lilac |
| schwarzoliv | blackish olive |
| schwarzschiefer | black-slate |
| schwarzviolett | purple, blackish violet |
| schwefelgelb | sulphur yellow |
| Schwindelerzeugnis | fradulent issue |
| seegrün | bronze-green; dull green; sea-green |
| Segelflug | glider flight |
| Seidenfaden | silk thread |
| Seidenpapier | pelure paper |
| selten | rare, scarce |
| Sendungen | |
| senkrecht | vertical |
| sepia | brown; sepia |
| sichtbar | visible |
| Siegel | seal |
| Siegelwachs | sealing wax |
| Siegesmarken | victory stamps |
| siena | sienna |
| Signet(te) | small imprinted seal esp. for newspaper tax |
| silber | silver |
| silbergrau | silver-grey; pale grey |
| silbern | silver |
| Sinnbild | allegorical symbol; emblem |
| smaragd | emerald |
| smaragdgrün | emerald-green |
| Sonderausgabe | special issue |
| Sonderkarte | special postcard |
| Sondermarke | commemmorative stamp |
| Sonderstempel | special cancellation |
| sorgfältig | accurate; with special care (=carefully) |
| Spiegelschrift | reversed (mirror) characters |
| Spuren | traces (of ..) |
| staatlich | official |
| Stadtpost | local post |
| Stadtpostmarke | stamp for local post |
| stahlblau | deep blue |
| stahlgrau | black |
| Stahlstich | steel engraving |
| Starrkopf | bulldog head (Aus. 1867 issue) |
| Stdr. | (= Steindruck) litho |
| Stecherzeichen | engraver's mark or initials |
| stehend | upright, vertical |
| Steindruck | lithography |
| Stempel | cancellation |
| Stempelentwertung | postmark, cancellation |
| Stempelkissen | ink-pad |
| Stempelmarke | postage, revenue etc mark made by stamper; OR fiscal or revenue stamps |
| Stempelmarken als Freimarken gebraucht | revenue stamps used for postage |
| Steuermarke | revenue or tax stamp |
| Stichtiefdruck | engraved-recess printing (intaglio) |
| Stöckel | die |
| stockfleck | foxed |
| stockig | mould stained |
| Streichung | pen cancel |
| Streifen | strip |
| Strich | dash, line |
| strohgelb | straw yellow |
| StTdr. | (= Stichtiefdruck) intaglio / recess printing |
| Stück | piece, copy |
| stumpflila | dull lilac |
| Symbolzahlen | marginal numbers esp. of buildings series |
| T | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| tadellos | perfect |
| tannengrün | deep grey green ("fir green") |
| teilweise | part(ly) |
| Telegrafenmarke | telegraph stamp |
| tief X | dark or deep X (colour) |
| Tiefdruck | recess printing; line engraving |
| Tintenentwertung | pen cancellation |
| Ton (Töne) | shade (shades) |
| Tonunterdruck | coloured background |
| Trachtenserie | costumes series (sg 1108-1144) |
| Treiber | vienna pneu. post driver |
| Trennungsart | perforation |
| Trennungslinie | dividing line |
| Trockensiegel | embossed seal |
| Trockenstempel | embossed |
| trüb | dull |
| trübblau | dull or light blue |
| trübrosa | dull pink |
| türkis | turquoise |
| türkisblau | turquoise-blue |
| Typensatz | type-set |
| U | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Überdruck | overprint |
| überprüfen | to expertise |
| Überrandig | very large margin |
| Übersichtstabelle | series checklist |
| ultramarin | ultramarine |
| ultramaringrau | ultramarine-grey |
| umgehend | by return of post |
| Umrandung | border |
| Umrißlinie | outline |
| Umschlag (-äge) | envelope (-s) |
| undeutlich | indistinct |
| Ungarn | Hungary |
| ungebraucht | unused, mint |
| ungebraucht ohne Gummi | mint but no gum |
| Ungestempelt | unused |
| ungezähnt | imperforate |
| ungleichmäßig | uneven |
| unregelmäßig | irregular |
| unscharf | rough |
| Unterdruck | underprinted |
| Untergrund | background |
| Untergrundlinien | burelage |
| unterlegt | repaired |
| unterschiedlich | lesser quality (than the rest) |
| Unterschriften | signature, autograph |
| Untertype | subtype, minor variety |
| unverausgabt | not issued |
| unzulässig | inadmissible (on returned mail) |
| Urkunde | document |
| Urstöckel | original die |
| usw. | (= und so weiter) and so on |
| V | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| verausgabt | issued |
| Verbindungsleiste | intermediate bar |
| verfälscht | forged |
| Verfassung | constitution |
| Verkauf | sale |
| Verkehrsministerium | Ministry for Communications &/or Transport |
| verkehrt | inverted |
| Vermerk | strike, postal marking |
| Verordnung | decree |
| Verrechnungsstempel | fiscal cancel |
| versch. | variously |
| verschiedene | average (of condition) |
| Verschlußmarke | official seal |
| verschwommen | blurred |
| Verspätungsmarke | late-posted stamp |
| Verwaltungsbezirk | administration district |
| verzähnt | badly centered |
| Verzeichnis | checklist |
| Verzierung | ornament |
| Vielchen | violets (as on sg1098) |
| vielfach | multiple |
| Vielfarbendruck | multi-colour print |
| Viereck | square |
| Viererblock | block of 4 |
| Viererstreifen | strip of four |
| Vignette | label |
| violett | violet; mauve |
| violettblau | violet-blue |
| violettbraun | violet-purple; brown-purple; puce |
| violettgrau | violet-grey |
| violettpurpur | pale dull purple; violet-purple |
| violettschiefer | violet-slate |
| violettschwarz | violet-black |
| violettultramarin | violet-ultramarine |
| vollrandig | with full margins |
| vollständig | complete |
| Vorausentwertung | pre-cancellation |
| vorderseitig | (in) front |
| Vordruckbrief | printed letter |
| Vordruckkarte | printed postcard |
| Vorlagestück | specimen |
| Vorläufer | forerunner |
| vorläufige Ausgabe | provisional issue |
| Vorphilatelie | prephilately |
| Vorratsstempelpapier | paper issued with revenue stamp already applied |
| Vorschrift | decree, instruction |
| W | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| W. | (= Wert(e)) value(s) |
| waagerecht | horizontal |
| Waben | hexagons |
| wagrecht | horizontal |
| Währungsreform | currency revaluation |
| Wappen | coat of arms |
| Währung | currency |
| wasserblau | sea-blue |
| Wasserfarbe | watercolour |
| wasserfest | waterproof |
| wasserlöslich | water-soluble |
| Wasserzeichen | watermark |
| Wasserzeichenabart | watermark variety |
| weich | soft |
| weinrot | claret; sepia |
| weinrotviolett | maroon |
| weiß | white |
| weit | wide |
| weitere Werte | similar values |
| wellenförmig | wavy |
| Wellenlinien | wavy lines |
| Weltpostverein | U. P. U. |
| Werbeaufkleber | advertising label |
| Werbeausgabe | propaganda issue |
| Werbestempel | advertising marking |
| Werbevignette | advertising label |
| Wert(e) | value(s) |
| Wertangabe | indication of value |
| Wertaufdruck | surcharge |
| Wertbezeichnung | indication of value |
| Wertstempel | postage stamp impression on stationery |
| Wertstufe | denomination |
| Wertziffer | value figure |
| Wirrzähnung | very irregular perfs |
| Wohltätigkeitsausgabe | charity issue; semi-postal issue |
| Wohltätigkeitsmarke | charity or semi-postal stamp |
| X | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| X-lich (eg schwärzlich) | -ish (of colour, eg blackish): note that if the word for the colour can be umlauted, it is |
| Y | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| Z | Back to 'alphabet selector' table |
| z.B. | (= zum Biespiel): for example |
| Zählmarken | control stamps |
| Zähne | teeth; perforations; pegs eg in perforating machine |
| Zähnung | perforation |
| Zähnungsfehler | perforation damage |
| Zähnungsmesser | perforation gauge |
| Zähnungsunregelmäßigkeiten | perforation irregularity |
| Zeichen | sign, mark |
| Zeichnung | design |
| Zeitungsmarke | newspaper postage stamp |
| Zeitungsschleife | wrapper for newspapers & printed items |
| Zeitungsstempelmarken | newspaper tax stamps |
| zentriert | centered |
| Zettel | label etc, esp. registration label |
| Zickzacklinien | zig-zag lines |
| ziegelrot | brick-red |
| Zierband | ornamented scrolls |
| Zierfeld | printed label |
| Ziergrund | background network |
| Zierleiste | ornamental frame |
| Zierstempel | decorative postmark |
| Ziffer | figure (eg "1") |
| Zigarettenpapier | cigarette, pelure paper |
| zimtbraun | cinnamon |
| zinnober | vermilion; scarlet; cinnamon |
| zinnoberrot | vermilion |
| zitrongelb | lemon |
| Zollstempel | Customs stamp |
| Zufälligkeit | error |
| Zufallsentwertung | accidental cancellation |
| zusammen | altogether |
| Zusammendruck | se-tenant printing |
| zusammendrucke | se-tenant |
| zusammenhängend | unsevered, joined |
| zusammenziehen | shrink |
| Zusatzfrankatur | additional postage |
| Zuschlagsbetrag | surtax |
| Zuschlagsmarken | stamp with charity etc surcharge |
| Zustellungsmarke | carrier's or delivery stamp |
| Zwangzuschlagsmarke | obligatory tax stamp |
| zweifarbig | printed in two colours |
| zweiseitig | on two sides (often with symbol, meaning imperf 2 sides) |
| zweisprachig | bilingual |
| zweizeiler Langstempel | twin straight-line postmark |
| zweizellig | in two lines |
| Zwischensteg | gutter |
| Zyklame | Cyclamen |
| Back to 'alphabet selector' table | |
| Back to Austrian Stamps Homepage |
With corrections by Gerrit Matthijssen, 27-9-2012
©APS. Last updated 7 Aug 2016