Burelage
Encyclopedia
Burelage also burelé, is a French term referring to an intricate network of fine lines, dots or other designs printed over or as the background of some postage
or revenue stamps
to prevent counterfeiting
. In English the word is sometimes spelled with an accent on the first "e" as burélage, although the accent does not appear in the French spelling and its origin is unclear.
Early uses of burelage on postage stamps include the first issue of the stamps of Denmark
from 1851, and stamps issued by the City of Hanover
beginning in 1855. Stamp varieties may be distinguished in catalogs based on the presence or absence of burelage as well as variations in the burelage itself, such as the size of network, orientation on the stamp, color, or method of printing.
Although burelage is usually unobtrusive, some of the Mexico Exporta stamps (see below) were printed with burelage printed over the stamp which is dark enough to obscure the stamp image.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
or revenue stamps
Revenue stamp
A revenue stamp, tax stamp or fiscal stamp is a adhesive label used to collect taxes or fees on documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, drugs and medicines, playing cards, hunting licenses, firearm registration, and many other things...
to prevent counterfeiting
Philatelic fakes and forgeries
In general, philatelic fakes and forgeries refers to labels that look like postage stamps but are not. Most have been produced to deceive or defraud...
. In English the word is sometimes spelled with an accent on the first "e" as burélage, although the accent does not appear in the French spelling and its origin is unclear.
Early uses of burelage on postage stamps include the first issue of the stamps of Denmark
Postage stamps and postal history of Denmark
This is an overview of the postage stamps and postal history of Denmark.- Early postal history :Denmark's postal history begins with an ordinance of 24 December 1624 by King Christian IV, establishing a national postal service . This service consisted of nine main routes, and was to be operated by...
from 1851, and stamps issued by the City of Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
beginning in 1855. Stamp varieties may be distinguished in catalogs based on the presence or absence of burelage as well as variations in the burelage itself, such as the size of network, orientation on the stamp, color, or method of printing.
Although burelage is usually unobtrusive, some of the Mexico Exporta stamps (see below) were printed with burelage printed over the stamp which is dark enough to obscure the stamp image.