Stamp Collecting Encyclopaedia Letter L

Filahome Stamp Collecting Encyclopaedia

A B C D E F G I j K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Last day

Normally the term "last day" is used for the final day a stamp can be used for postage, but the last day can also apply to the last day of a postal rate, post office operation or similar occurrence.

League of Nations

The League of Nations was the first stamps issuing international organisation. In 1922 Swiss stamps were issued with the overprint "Société des Nations". These stamps were used in the League of Nation's Headquarter in Geneva. These stamps are unobtainable in unused condition.
The League of Nations was formed in 1920 because, in the opinion of the founders, a world war never might happen again. The American President Woodrow Wilson played an important role in the forming of this union. The aim was to provide peace and stability. At first only the "winners" of World War One were allowed to become a member, but later other countries were admitted too.
In the 1930s The League of Nations fell apart because the League was not able to restrain the aggression of Italy, Japan and especially of Germany.
The Netherlands issued a stamp dedicated to the League of Nations in 1933. On this blue stamp a dove is pictured. On the background a star is sending its beams to the five continents.

Lightly hinged

An unused stamp with only slight evidence of a hinge mark on the original gum is called lightly hinged.

Line engraving

Line engraving is the process of printing stamps from steel or copper plates produced by impressions from an engraved die. The recesses in the plate accommodate the ink. This process is also called intaglio or recess printing.

Line perforation

A method of perforation by a machine that punches holes in the stamp sheets by witch the vertical and horizontal perforation lines are punched in two separate operations.
Line perforation causes irregular corners and is therefore distinguishable from comb perforation.

Lithography

Lithography is a printing method which is performed by using a flat printing plate (zinc or aluminium) or stone. Lithography was invented by the American W. Rubel in 1904. Rubel used the condition that grease is water repellent for his invention. The plates used for lithography are made with the use of photography. The design is photographed on the surface of the plate and treated with acids. As a result the areas of the design which will not be printed will absorb water and the parts which will be printed will absorb ink.
During the printing process the plate is moistened with water first. The none printable areas will absorb the water. Then the plate is inked and the parts of the design will absorb ink. Then the print is made.
Generally speaking the colour is more subdued and the printing is less clear, but leaves no trace on the back of the stamp.
When rollers are used to bring the ink from the printing plate to the paper this method is called "offset lithography" ore just "offset". In modern offset printing the old lithography method is used on rotation presses and by printing in this way much more prints can be made per hour.

Local

A local is a postage stamp authorised for use only within a limited territory.