| Abbreviation |
|
Description |
| ALS |
|
autographed letter signed; handwritten letter signed by the celebrity |
| ANS |
|
autographed note signed; this is the same as
the ALS but as a short note |
| b&w, b/w |
|
black and white photograph |
| C |
|
color photograph |
| CS, SIC, SC |
|
signed index card |
| DS |
|
document signed; example: a contract |
| FDC |
|
First Day Cover; these are special envelopes printed especially for a new stamp. which are then cancelled with a First
Day of Issue designation; these should be sent to a celebrity that is related to the theme of the stamp |
| FOE |
|
forwarding order expired; the change of address card at the post office is only good for a year |
| I |
|
inscribed as in "To Matt..."; used with other abbreviations such as ISP (inscribed signed photo) and ISC (inscribed signed
card) |
| ISP |
|
inscribed signed photo |
| PP |
|
Pre-print |
| RTS |
|
returned to sender |
| SAE |
|
self-addressed envelope; sent along with the request letter for the returning of the autographed item but without the
postage; usually accompanied with another form of payment for return postage like cash or IRCs; these can come in different sizes. |
| SASE |
|
self-addressed stamped envelope; sent along with the request letter for the returning of the autographed item; these
can come in different sizes. |
| S, Sig |
|
signature or signed |
| SP |
|
signed photo |
| TLS |
|
typed letter signed by the celebrity |
| |
| Term |
| Description |
| Cut |
|
a signature that has been cut out from a letter or document and usually matted with a photograph |
| Index card |
|
unlined (they also come with lines on them) thin stock cards used for collection signatures; most common in sizes such
as 3"x5" and 4"x6" |
| mat |
|
the process of bordering a photo with colored and or textured thick stock matte boards before framing it; it is used to
enhance the picture |
| Pic |
|
photographs; most common in sizes such as 4"x6", 8"x10" and 11"x14" and are either in color or black and white |
| Print |
|
a non glossy photo usually on thick stock paper |
| |