"I don't particularly object to Michael's definition, but it presents some problems. Christmas seals are listed in Scott (at least issues through 1979), but Easter seals are not. They serve similar functions, but one would be partially excluded from Michael's list while the other would be included.
In general, though, he and I are thinking along similar lines, he aiming for inclusion and I aiming for definition. Both approaches work....mostly."
Christmas seals are in Scott US specialized; WX series. They run through 1979 when Scott discontinues their listings, stating that the complexity of issues (test, spring, foil, etc.) makes it too onerous to continue. They do not list Easter seals. Go figure.
I do not hold that my definition is the best; it's just more descriptive.
David
Great to see you discuss the subject! I'm learning more about the topic. However, it seems not to be a clear defined subject? Hope I'm understandable as my mother tong is french so don't hesitate to correct my sometimes bad expressions in English!
If I read Michael correctly, we are in agreement, we just use a different approach to explaining the same thing.
I am a great fan of much of the expanse of Cinderellas, although my collections are fairly narrow. One could spend a lifetime solely on the propaganda and charity labels issued during the Spanish Civil War. Within the narrow confines of seals, there hosts of catalogues attempting to list labels by city, state/province, country, organization and type , and that doesn't touch upon many of the pictured labels we've seen here since this topic was broached, all of which are of immense interest.
I am delighted that others are interested in the discussion. It's an immensely satisfying area.
David
In the interest of full disclosure, Michael (londonbus1) and a few others on a different site are to blame for getting me hooked on Cinderellas.
Below are two fairly straightforward definitions taken from the United States Stamp Society's A Glossary of Terms for the Collector of United States Stamps.
"Cinderella - a nickname frequently used for fantasy labels with no postal validity.
Label - a stamp-like adhesive of no postal value, often used for promotional purposes. Christmas Seals are examples of labels. "Label" may also be used to describe the stamp-like units that bear messages that sometimes appear in stamp booklets."
Michael, yes, you can order Christmas seals directly from ALA; X number of sheets for Y number of dollars. Sounds like buying to me. They also send sheets and ask for donations. Their business model in the past was based on donations, usually with a set fee proposed per seal or sheet.
I have a small group of Cinderellas that I collected just for "the look"; I find many very beautiful. Here are a couple of examples of the type that catch my interest. Both are from stamp exhibitions.
Close up of a stamp on the sheet.
Great! I've got a very good idea of what cinderellas are now.I've thus been collecting plenty of them without knowing it!
I never gave this much thought, since I am not collecting any of these "thingies." Taking it from the top:
A postage stamp is the receipt for the (pre-)payment of postal services, which includes postal stationary and the like.
Stamps other than postage stamps, revenue etc. stamps, represent the receipt for various government taxes and fees other than the payment of postal services (stock transfer, hunting permits etc. etc.).
Cinderella -- from my past understanding -- is not the umbrella term for anything-not-a-postage-stamp, but specifically used for items that were designed to appear like postage stamps. So, in my mind, the classic example for Cinderellas are the "stamps" for Maluku Selatan, various "exile governments," and other fairy tale stamps (hence the name).
Then, there is the separate category of labels and seals. No difference in meaning between the two. This category captures any items not meant to provide a receipt for government fees, taxes, or postal service, and not created to deceive as a postage stamp. "Seal" is perhaps the more traditional term because the original purpose of the label (gummed sticker) was to seal the letter. Labels and seals can have all kinds of functions, from mere decoration to individualization to promotion of whatever cause.
These were my categories until you guys now have turned anything upside down .
Not that it really mattered. -- I would assume that the specialized societies devoted to seal etc. collecting have attempted to develop more concise definitions.
Arno
Arno, I felt the same way until I acquired a box lot of "Cinderellas," including QV issues I wanted. Turns out, most of what was in that lot were issues commemorating stamp shows (as the ones I illustrated above). Are those Cinderellas? Labels? Souvenirs? I resolved it by using the Cinderella term as a catch-all for any non-postage or non-revenue issues. Just my take on it.
Cheers,
Peter
"I don't particularly object to Michael's definition, but it presents some problems. Christmas seals are listed in Scott (at least issues through 1979), but Easter seals are not. They serve similar functions, but one would be partially excluded from Michael's list while the other would be included.
In general, though, he and I are thinking along similar lines, he aiming for inclusion and I aiming for definition. Both approaches work....mostly."
re: What is a Cinderella ?
Christmas seals are in Scott US specialized; WX series. They run through 1979 when Scott discontinues their listings, stating that the complexity of issues (test, spring, foil, etc.) makes it too onerous to continue. They do not list Easter seals. Go figure.
I do not hold that my definition is the best; it's just more descriptive.
David
re: What is a Cinderella ?
Great to see you discuss the subject! I'm learning more about the topic. However, it seems not to be a clear defined subject? Hope I'm understandable as my mother tong is french so don't hesitate to correct my sometimes bad expressions in English!
re: What is a Cinderella ?
If I read Michael correctly, we are in agreement, we just use a different approach to explaining the same thing.
I am a great fan of much of the expanse of Cinderellas, although my collections are fairly narrow. One could spend a lifetime solely on the propaganda and charity labels issued during the Spanish Civil War. Within the narrow confines of seals, there hosts of catalogues attempting to list labels by city, state/province, country, organization and type , and that doesn't touch upon many of the pictured labels we've seen here since this topic was broached, all of which are of immense interest.
I am delighted that others are interested in the discussion. It's an immensely satisfying area.
David
re: What is a Cinderella ?
In the interest of full disclosure, Michael (londonbus1) and a few others on a different site are to blame for getting me hooked on Cinderellas.
Below are two fairly straightforward definitions taken from the United States Stamp Society's A Glossary of Terms for the Collector of United States Stamps.
"Cinderella - a nickname frequently used for fantasy labels with no postal validity.
Label - a stamp-like adhesive of no postal value, often used for promotional purposes. Christmas Seals are examples of labels. "Label" may also be used to describe the stamp-like units that bear messages that sometimes appear in stamp booklets."
re: What is a Cinderella ?
Michael, yes, you can order Christmas seals directly from ALA; X number of sheets for Y number of dollars. Sounds like buying to me. They also send sheets and ask for donations. Their business model in the past was based on donations, usually with a set fee proposed per seal or sheet.
re: What is a Cinderella ?
I have a small group of Cinderellas that I collected just for "the look"; I find many very beautiful. Here are a couple of examples of the type that catch my interest. Both are from stamp exhibitions.
Close up of a stamp on the sheet.
re: What is a Cinderella ?
Great! I've got a very good idea of what cinderellas are now.I've thus been collecting plenty of them without knowing it!
re: What is a Cinderella ?
I never gave this much thought, since I am not collecting any of these "thingies." Taking it from the top:
A postage stamp is the receipt for the (pre-)payment of postal services, which includes postal stationary and the like.
Stamps other than postage stamps, revenue etc. stamps, represent the receipt for various government taxes and fees other than the payment of postal services (stock transfer, hunting permits etc. etc.).
Cinderella -- from my past understanding -- is not the umbrella term for anything-not-a-postage-stamp, but specifically used for items that were designed to appear like postage stamps. So, in my mind, the classic example for Cinderellas are the "stamps" for Maluku Selatan, various "exile governments," and other fairy tale stamps (hence the name).
Then, there is the separate category of labels and seals. No difference in meaning between the two. This category captures any items not meant to provide a receipt for government fees, taxes, or postal service, and not created to deceive as a postage stamp. "Seal" is perhaps the more traditional term because the original purpose of the label (gummed sticker) was to seal the letter. Labels and seals can have all kinds of functions, from mere decoration to individualization to promotion of whatever cause.
These were my categories until you guys now have turned anything upside down .
Not that it really mattered. -- I would assume that the specialized societies devoted to seal etc. collecting have attempted to develop more concise definitions.
Arno
re: What is a Cinderella ?
Arno, I felt the same way until I acquired a box lot of "Cinderellas," including QV issues I wanted. Turns out, most of what was in that lot were issues commemorating stamp shows (as the ones I illustrated above). Are those Cinderellas? Labels? Souvenirs? I resolved it by using the Cinderella term as a catch-all for any non-postage or non-revenue issues. Just my take on it.
Cheers,
Peter