Stamp Collecting Encyclopaedia Letter V

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Value tablet

In many postage stamps a separate portion of the design is reserved for the denomination. The space which contains the denomination is called "value tablet".
The denomination value can be in words or figures.

Variety

In general a variety is a stamp that is very similar to other stamps issued, but a variety has a distinct characteristic which deviates from the normal stamps. A variety is not necessarily an error.
Varieties: Color, Watermark, Paper, Perforation, Little change in design, Missing colour or overprint, Etc.

Vignette

Small picture occupying an otherwise blank area in a postage sheet design. The term is also sometimes applied to blue air mail labels.
The term "vignette" is also applied to the central portrait, picture or main feature of the design of a stamp.
The term "medallion portrait" is used when the vignette shows a portrait.

Vintage

The vintage is the figure featuring the year of issue or print. Sometime vintages are not indicated on the stamp but on a sheet margin.
Today almost all stamps show a vintage and with help of the year shown on the stamp it is very easy to find the stamp in your catalogue.

Vulcanus cancellation machine

On August 5th 1901 in The Hague a test began with the cancellation machine build and manufactured by engineer C.C. van der Valk.
This stamping-machine could obliterate 240 letters per minute. The postmark was heated by means of a petrol flame. The machine was not long in use, because it did not only obliterate the stamps, the contents of the envelopes were damaged by burn stains or were even completely burnt through too.
The trial period for obliteration with the Vulcanus machines of letters lasted till 29 September 1901. For postcards and printed matter the test period was continued until 2 November 1901.