DIE.--The original engraving from which the printing plates are produced; or, sometimes, from which the stamps are printed direct. _See_ PLATE and EMBOSSED.
DOUBLE-PRINT.--Strictly applicable to two similar impressions, more or less coincident, on the same piece of paper; though often, but erroneously, applied to instances where the paper, not being firmly held, has touched the plate, so receiving a partial impression, and then, resuming its correct position, has been properly printed.
DUTY-PLATE.--Many modern stamps are printed from two plates, one being the same (KEY-PLATE, which see) for all the values, but the other differing for each denomination: this latter is the DUTY-PLATE.
ELECTRO.--A reproduction of the original die, made by means of a galvanic battery from a secondary die. _See_ MATRIX.
EMBOSSED.--Stamps produced from a die, or reproductions thereof, on which the design is cut to varying depths, are necessarily in relief, _i.e._, embossed. And _see_ PRINTING.
ENGRAVED.--The term is often used to denote stamps printed direct from a plate, on which the lines of the design are cut _into_ the metal. And _see_ PRINTING.
ENTIRES.--This expression includes not only POSTAL STATIONERY (which see), but when used in describing an adhesive stamp, as being "on entire," implies that the stamp is on the envelope or letter as when posted.
ENVELOPE STAMP.--A stamp belonging to, and printed on, an envelope.
ERROR.--An incorrect stamp--either in design, colour, paper, &c.--which has been issued for use.
ESSAY.--A rejected design for a stamp; in the French sense also applied to proofs of accepted designs.
FAKE.--A genuine stamp, which has been manipulated in order to increase its philatelic or postal value.
FISCAL.--A stamp intended for payment of a duty or tax, as distinguished from postage.
FLAP ORNAMENT.--This refers to the ornament (usually) embossed on the tip of the upper flap of envelopes, and variously termed ROSACE or TRESSE, or (incorrectly) PATTE, which see.
FUGITIVE.--Colours printed in "singly-fugitive" ink suffer on an attempt to remove an ordinary ink cancellation; but if in "doubly-fugitive" ink it _was_ thought that the removal of _writing_-ink would injure the appearance of the stamp. And _see_ CHALKY.