 |
List
of definitions for words and terminology commonly used to describe
collectable hobbies/items.
ACETATE
A record pressing made of aluminium with a coating of vinyl-like material, used for checking the quality of work in progress being recorded by a producer and artist. They are only designed for a few plays as the coating quickly wears out.
A record pressing made of aluminium with a coating of vinyl-like material, used for checking the quality of work in progress being recorded by a producer and artist. They are only designed for a few plays as the coating quickly wears out.
AERONAUTICA
Collectable items relating to aircraft
Collectable items relating to aircraft
AEROPHILATELY
The collecting of air mail stamps and covers.
The collecting of air mail stamps and covers.
ALLOY
A mixture of metals.
A mixture of metals.
AMERICANA
Items that are distinctive of America.
Items that are distinctive of America.
ARCTOPHILY
The collecting of teddy bears.
The collecting of teddy bears.
ARGYROTHECOLOGY
The collection and study of money boxes.
The collection and study of money boxes.
ART DÉCO
A style of interior decoration and manufactured objects, of the period (approximately) 1925 – 1940. Symmetrical designs adapted to mass production.
A style of interior decoration and manufactured objects, of the period (approximately) 1925 – 1940. Symmetrical designs adapted to mass production.
ART NOUVEAU
A style of decoration of the early 20th century. Based on soft curves and influenced by the example of Japanese art (particularly leaves and flowers).
A style of decoration of the early 20th century. Based on soft curves and influenced by the example of Japanese art (particularly leaves and flowers).
ARTEFACT
An object shaped by human craft (such as a tool), usually with archaeological significance.
An object shaped by human craft (such as a tool), usually with archaeological significance.
ASTROPHILATELY
Space related postage stamps.
Space related postage stamps.
AUDIOPHILY
The collecting of recorded sound.
The collecting of recorded sound.
AUTOMOBILIA
Items relating to motor vehicles.
Items relating to motor vehicles.
BACK STAMP
A maker's marking on the underside of a ceramic piece. (Back Stamps scored through, indicate 'seconds'.)
A maker's marking on the underside of a ceramic piece. (Back Stamps scored through, indicate 'seconds'.)
BEZEL
The metal frame around the glass of a watch or clock.
The metal frame around the glass of a watch or clock.
BIBLIOLOGY
The study of books.
The study of books.
BIBLIOPHILY
The collecting of books.
The collecting of books.
BIBLIOTICS
The study of documents to determine their authenticity.
The study of documents to determine their authenticity.
BOOTERS
Buyers at a car boot sale.
Buyers at a car boot sale.
BOXWOOD
Close grained light yellow wood of the box. A mustard spoon could typically be made of boxwood.
Close grained light yellow wood of the box. A mustard spoon could typically be made of boxwood.
BREWERIANA
Collectable items related to brewing.
Collectable items related to brewing.
BUFFED
Condition description for a vinyl record, where the surface looks as though it has been buffed with wire wool. In other words, the surface is multi scratched in poor condition.
Condition description for a vinyl record, where the surface looks as though it has been buffed with wire wool. In other words, the surface is multi scratched in poor condition.
CAMEO
A shell or stone carved in relief, in such a way that brings out the different colours of the material used.
A shell or stone carved in relief, in such a way that brings out the different colours of the material used.
CARD CASE
A case (usually with an ornate design) to carry calling/business cards. Originated in 18th century France.
A case (usually with an ornate design) to carry calling/business cards. Originated in 18th century France.
CARTOGRAPHY
The study, making, and collecting of maps.
The study, making, and collecting of maps.
CARTOPHILY
The collecting of cigarette cards.
The collecting of cigarette cards.
CAST IRON
Ironwork produced by pouring molten iron into a pre-shaped mould.
Ironwork produced by pouring molten iron into a pre-shaped mould.
CERAMICS
The generic term for pottery, porcelain, terracotta, etc.
The generic term for pottery, porcelain, terracotta, etc.
CHINOISERIE
Decorative artwork with Chinese characteristics.
Decorative artwork with Chinese characteristics.
CHIROGRAPHY
The study of handwriting.
The study of handwriting.
CHRYSOLOGY
The study of precious metals.
The study of precious metals.
CHURCHILLANIA
Collectable items relating to Winston Churchill.
Collectable items relating to Winston Churchill.
CODICOLOGY
The study of early manuscripts.
The study of early manuscripts.
CONCHOLOGY
The study of shells.
The study of shells.
COPOCLEPHILY
The collecting of key rings.
The collecting of key rings.
CRAZING
A fine network of cracks in the glaze of pottery and porcelain.
A fine network of cracks in the glaze of pottery and porcelain.
CRIMINOLOGY
The study of criminals and crime.
The study of criminals and crime.
CRYPTOLOGY
The study of codes.
The study of codes.
DACTYLIOLOGY
The study of rings.
The study of rings.
DELFTWARE
Earthenware named after the Dutch town of Delft.
Earthenware named after the Dutch town of Delft.
DELTIOLOGY
The collecting of postcards.
The collecting of postcards.
DIECAST
Zinc alloy used to manufacture toys, enabling the production of strong, shiny, bright, permanently decorated items.
Zinc alloy used to manufacture toys, enabling the production of strong, shiny, bright, permanently decorated items.
DIGITABULIST
The collecting of thimbles.
The collecting of thimbles.
DISCOPHILY
The collecting of recorded music.
The collecting of recorded music.
DISNEYANA
Collectable items relating to Disney.
Collectable items relating to Disney.
EARTHENWARE
Glazed pottery fired to a temperature of approximately 1000 degrees C. Normally red or brown with a low chipping resistance.
Glazed pottery fired to a temperature of approximately 1000 degrees C. Normally red or brown with a low chipping resistance.
ECCLESIOLOGY
The study and collection of items relating to church.
The study and collection of items relating to church.
EDWARDIAN
Relating to the period of the reign of King Edward Vll (1901 – 1910).
Relating to the period of the reign of King Edward Vll (1901 – 1910).
EGYPTOLOGY
The study of Ancient Egypt.
The study of Ancient Egypt.
ENAMEL
A semi-opaque form of glass fused on to metal surfaces to decorate them.
A semi-opaque form of glass fused on to metal surfaces to decorate them.
ENCRUST
To ornament by overlaying with a crust of something precious.
To ornament by overlaying with a crust of something precious.
ENIGMATOLOGY
The study and collecting of puzzles.
The study and collecting of puzzles.
EPHEMERA
Collectable items such as old bus tickets, cigarette packets, etc. Items from a more recent period of time.
Collectable items such as old bus tickets, cigarette packets, etc. Items from a more recent period of time.
EPNS
Electro Plated Silver Nickel - silver plate.
Electro Plated Silver Nickel - silver plate.
EROTICA
Glamour related items.
Glamour related items.
ESCAPEMENT
Mechanical device that regulates the movement in a watch or clock.
Mechanical device that regulates the movement in a watch or clock.
ESCUTCHEON
Protective plate around a key hole, etc. Also in nautical terms – a ship's nameplate affixed to the stern.
Protective plate around a key hole, etc. Also in nautical terms – a ship's nameplate affixed to the stern.
ETYMOLOGY
The study of the origin of words.
The study of the origin of words.
FLATWARE
Tableware that is relatively flat and fashioned as a single unit (e.g. the meal-tray supplied by airlines). Also flat cutlery.
Tableware that is relatively flat and fashioned as a single unit (e.g. the meal-tray supplied by airlines). Also flat cutlery.
FLIPBACK
Vinyl record (picture) sleeve, laminated on the front only, with short fold-overs on the reverse. Most common in the sixties.
Vinyl record (picture) sleeve, laminated on the front only, with short fold-overs on the reverse. Most common in the sixties.
FOXING
Discolouration of paper, wood, etc., with spots through ageing and mildew.
Discolouration of paper, wood, etc., with spots through ageing and mildew.
FRESCO
The art of painting in water-colour on plaster or mortar when not quite dry.
The art of painting in water-colour on plaster or mortar when not quite dry.
FUSILATELY
The collecting of phone cards.
The collecting of phone cards.
GEMMOLOGY
The study of jewels and gems.
The study of jewels and gems.
GEORGIAN
Relating to the period of the four King Georges, 1714 – 1830.
Relating to the period of the four King Georges, 1714 – 1830.
GILDED
Covered with a thin layer of gold.
Covered with a thin layer of gold.
GLYPTOGRAPHY
The art of engraving on gemstones.
The art of engraving on gemstones.
GLYPTOLOGY
The study of gem engravings.
The study of gem engravings.
GNOMONICS
Items relating to the measuring of time with sundials.
Items relating to the measuring of time with sundials.
GUTTER
The selvedge (borders) of a sheet of postage stamps, either unprinted or with plate numbers or other markings.
The selvedge (borders) of a sheet of postage stamps, either unprinted or with plate numbers or other markings.
HALLMARK
A mark punched on to articles to guarantee a statutory degree of purity. Four stamps are; maker's mark, mark of quality, mark of the hall of Assay, and the year mark.
A mark punched on to articles to guarantee a statutory degree of purity. Four stamps are; maker's mark, mark of quality, mark of the hall of Assay, and the year mark.
HISTORIOGRAPHY
The study of writing history.
The study of writing history.
HISTORIOLOGY
Study of history.
Study of history.
HOPLOLOGY
The study of weaponry.
The study of weaponry.
HOROGRAPHY
The art of constructing sundials or clocks.
The art of constructing sundials or clocks.
HOROLOGY
The science of time measurement.
The science of time measurement.
HYMNOGRAPHY
The study of writing hymns.
The study of writing hymns.
HYMNOLOGY
The study of hymns.
The study of hymns.
ICONOLOGY
The study of icons and symbols.
The study of icons and symbols.
INFUNABULIST
A collector of cigar bands.
A collector of cigar bands.
JUVENALIA
Children's play items.
Children's play items.
KITCHENALIA
Items relating to a kitchen.
Items relating to a kitchen.
KITSCH
Arguably, a tacky version of 'retro'. Popular because of its garishness and links to a particular era (largely 50s/60s/70s).
Arguably, a tacky version of 'retro'. Popular because of its garishness and links to a particular era (largely 50s/60s/70s).
LABEORPHILY
The collecting of beer bottle labels.
The collecting of beer bottle labels.
LACQUER
The application of several layers of paint and special varnish to produce a decorative surface.
The application of several layers of paint and special varnish to produce a decorative surface.
LAPIDARY
Cutting and engraving precious stones.
Cutting and engraving precious stones.
LEPIDOPTEROLOGY
The study of butterflies and moths.
The study of butterflies and moths.
LITHOGRAPHY
A process of printing dating back to the end of the eighteenth century (discovered in Germany). The principle being that oil and water do not mix. The image is drawn with a special applicator on a flat surface over which water is then passed. When covered with ink, only the applied area will accept it.
A process of printing dating back to the end of the eighteenth century (discovered in Germany). The principle being that oil and water do not mix. The image is drawn with a special applicator on a flat surface over which water is then passed. When covered with ink, only the applied area will accept it.
LOTOLOGY
The collecting of scratch cards and lottery related items.
The collecting of scratch cards and lottery related items.
LUCITE
Transparent thermoplastic acrylic resin.
Transparent thermoplastic acrylic resin.
LUSTRE
A glaze - surface coating for ceramics creating shine.
A glaze - surface coating for ceramics creating shine.
MAGIRICS
The art of cookery.
The art of cookery.
MATT GLAZE
A dull-surfaced glaze, non-reflecting.
A dull-surfaced glaze, non-reflecting.
MEMORABILIA
Memorable things or events.
Memorable things or events.
MILITARIA
Items relating to military.
Items relating to military.
MISCELLANY
A whole variety of objects. Miscellaneous items.
A whole variety of objects. Miscellaneous items.
MODERNIST
A style characteristic of modern times.
A style characteristic of modern times.
MYTHOLOGY
The study of myths and fables.
The study of myths and fables.
NOTAPHILY
The collecting of bank notes.
The collecting of bank notes.
NUMISMATICS
The collecting of and study of coins.
The collecting of and study of coins.
OBJECTS OF VIRTU
Fine art objects and antiques.
Fine art objects and antiques.
OBJETS D'ART
As 'objects of virtu'.
As 'objects of virtu'.
OBVERSE
The side of a coin, or medal, on which the head or principal design is shown. The other side of the coin is called the 'reverse'.
The side of a coin, or medal, on which the head or principal design is shown. The other side of the coin is called the 'reverse'.
OENOLOGY
The study of wine.
The study of wine.
OLEOGRAPH
A lithographic reproduction of an oil painting.
A lithographic reproduction of an oil painting.
OOLOGY
The collecting of and study of bird's eggs.
The collecting of and study of bird's eggs.
PALAEOBIOLOGY
The study of fossil plants and animals.
The study of fossil plants and animals.
PALEONTOLOGY
The study of ancient life and fossils.
The study of ancient life and fossils.
PAPIER-MACHE
Layers of paper shredded into a pulp and then pressed into shapes.
Layers of paper shredded into a pulp and then pressed into shapes.
PAPYROLOGY
The study of paper.
The study of paper.
PARAPHERNALIA
Miscellany associated with particular interests and items.
Miscellany associated with particular interests and items.
PARURE
A full matching jewellery set comprising necklace, brooch, bracelet, and earrings.
A full matching jewellery set comprising necklace, brooch, bracelet, and earrings.
PETROLIANA
Gas and oil related items.
Gas and oil related items.
PHILATELY
Stamp collecting and the study of postal history.
Stamp collecting and the study of postal history.
PHILLUMENY
The collecting of matchboxes and matchbox labels.
The collecting of matchboxes and matchbox labels.
PICTURE DISC
A record pressed on clear vinyl, the middle of which is sandwiched with a picture. These are sometimes in shapes other than circular.
A record pressed on clear vinyl, the middle of which is sandwiched with a picture. These are sometimes in shapes other than circular.
PORCELAIN
White form of stoneware usually translucent. Hard and non-porous. The most highly refined of all clay bodies and requiring the highest firing.
White form of stoneware usually translucent. Hard and non-porous. The most highly refined of all clay bodies and requiring the highest firing.
PRODUCTION STILLS
Are photographs taken during the production of a motion picture. They are usually shot during principal photography, and show the interaction between the actors and director, camera crew, makeup and wardrobe department, or stunt team.
Are photographs taken during the production of a motion picture. They are usually shot during principal photography, and show the interaction between the actors and director, camera crew, makeup and wardrobe department, or stunt team.
PROOF
Early impression of a stamp, coin or medal, struck as a specimen.
Early impression of a stamp, coin or medal, struck as a specimen.
PROVENANCE
Proof of past ownership or of authenticity.
Proof of past ownership or of authenticity.
RAILWAYANA
Collectable items relating to the railway.
Collectable items relating to the railway.
REGENCY
The style of furniture, buildings, literature etc., popular in Great Britain 1811 – 1820.
The style of furniture, buildings, literature etc., popular in Great Britain 1811 – 1820.
RETRO
A fashion design, décor or style reminiscent of things past.
A fashion design, décor or style reminiscent of things past.
RETRO CHIC
Stylish and elegant retro.
Stylish and elegant retro.
RETROPHILIA
A love for things of the past.
A love for things of the past.
REVERSE
Of a coin or medal (see OBVERSE).
Of a coin or medal (see OBVERSE).
RHYKENOLOGY
The collection and study of woodworking tools.
The collection and study of woodworking tools.
ROCOCO
Typically European architectural and decorative asymmetrical designs of the first half of the eighteenth century.
Typically European architectural and decorative asymmetrical designs of the first half of the eighteenth century.
RPM
(Revolutions per minute), the speed at which a record is designed to play.
(Revolutions per minute), the speed at which a record is designed to play.
SCRIPOPHILY
The collecting of old financial documents, such as stocks and bonds certificates.
The collecting of old financial documents, such as stocks and bonds certificates.
SEPIA
A brown ink or pigment. A photograph in a brown tint.
A brown ink or pigment. A photograph in a brown tint.
SHAGREEN
The rough hide of a shark or ray. Untanned leather with a granular surface that is often dyed green.
The rough hide of a shark or ray. Untanned leather with a granular surface that is often dyed green.
SIDEROGRAPHY
The art of engraving on steel.
The art of engraving on steel.
SOCIOLOGY
The study of society.
The study of society.
SOLANDER BOX
A box designed to hold manuscripts, maps, books, etc. Named after Dr. Daniel Solander (1736 – 1782).
A box designed to hold manuscripts, maps, books, etc. Named after Dr. Daniel Solander (1736 – 1782).
SPELTER
Zinc based metal, often called 'poor man's bronze'. Normally thinner and tinnier than bronze but of similar appearance.
Zinc based metal, often called 'poor man's bronze'. Normally thinner and tinnier than bronze but of similar appearance.
STANHOPE
Novelty item with a tiny lens that reveals a photograph when held to light.
Novelty item with a tiny lens that reveals a photograph when held to light.
STIPPLE
Decoration consisting of tiny dots in an overall pattern.
Decoration consisting of tiny dots in an overall pattern.
STONEWARE
Glazed pottery in which both body and glaze are fused together.
Glazed pottery in which both body and glaze are fused together.
SUCROLOGY
The Collecting of sugar packets.
The Collecting of sugar packets.
TAT
Tasteless, not worthy of serious collecting (by most people), tatty and generally of little value.
Tasteless, not worthy of serious collecting (by most people), tatty and generally of little value.
TAXIDERMY
The art of stuffing and mounting the skins of animals to give life-like appearances.
The art of stuffing and mounting the skins of animals to give life-like appearances.
TEEKIN
American term for 'antiquing' (buying, browsing, selling).
American term for 'antiquing' (buying, browsing, selling).
TEGESTOLOGY
The collecting of beer mats.
The collecting of beer mats.
TEST PRESSING
The first factory pressings of the record. For circulation to reviewers. Often plain white labels.
The first factory pressings of the record. For circulation to reviewers. Often plain white labels.
TOBACCIANA
Smoking related collectable items.
Smoking related collectable items.
TREEN
Small wooden objects. Not of joined construction, therefore furniture items not included.
Small wooden objects. Not of joined construction, therefore furniture items not included.
TUNBRIDGEWARE
Decoratively inlaid woodwork, characteristic of Tunbridge, Kent 18th and 19th century. Often fashioned as a mosaic of varying coloured woods.
Decoratively inlaid woodwork, characteristic of Tunbridge, Kent 18th and 19th century. Often fashioned as a mosaic of varying coloured woods.
TURNERY
The art of turning in a lathe.
The art of turning in a lathe.
TYPOGRAPHY
The art of printing or using type
The art of printing or using type
TYROSEMIOPHILY
The collecting of cheese labels.
The collecting of cheese labels.
UK QUADS
Film posters. Generally unique to the UK because they are landscape instead of portrait.
Film posters. Generally unique to the UK because they are landscape instead of portrait.
VELOLOGY
The collecting of Vehicle Excise Licences (tax discs).
The collecting of Vehicle Excise Licences (tax discs).
VENEER
A thin layer of wood used to surface or decorate a piece of furniture.
A thin layer of wood used to surface or decorate a piece of furniture.
VEXILLOLOGY
The study of and collecting of flags and bunting.
The study of and collecting of flags and bunting.
VICTORIANA
Objects of the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837 – 1901).
Objects of the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837 – 1901).
VITREOUS
Glass-like. Usually refers to a porcelain or stoneware fired body.
Glass-like. Usually refers to a porcelain or stoneware fired body.
VITRICS
Glassware and the study of.
Glassware and the study of.
XYLOGRAPHY
The art of engraving on wood.
The art of engraving on wood.
XYLOLOGY
The study of wood.
The study of wood.