Trials.—These are impressions from die, plate, stone, &c., taken to ascertain if the design be correct, or to assist in the selection of a suitable colour.
EXAMPLES OF SOME PHILATELIC TERMS.
Photograph of a flat steel die engraved in taille douce (i.e., with the lines of the design cut into the plate). The stamp is the 50 lepta of Greece, issue of 1901, showing Hermes adapted from the Mercury of Giovanni da Bologna.
Type.—A representative common design, as distinguished from "variety," which indicates slight deviations therefrom.
Type-set.—Stamps—e.g., the 1862 issue of British Guiana—have sometimes been set up with ordinary printer's type, as used for books, and the ornamental type-metal designs to be found in a printing establishment.
Typographed.—See Surface-printed.
Used abroad.—Prior to certain countries and colonies having their own stamps, British post-offices were established in them, at which British stamps were to be purchased; such stamps, identified by their postmarks as having been so used, are termed "British used abroad." The stamps of other countries have been similarly "used abroad."