Glossary

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.
  • ADDORSED Back to back.
  • AERONAUTICA Collectable items relating to aircraft.
  • AEROPHILATELY The collecting of air mail stamps and covers.
  • ALLOY A mixture of metals.
  • AMERICANA Items that are distinctive of America.
  • ANTHOLOGY Collection of literary passages and works.
  • ARABESQUE Symmetrical decoration in the form of flowing lines of branches, leaves and scrolling.
  • ARCTOPHILY The collecting of teddy bears.
  • ARGYROTHECOLOGY 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.
  • 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).
  • ARTEFACT An object shaped by human craft (such as a tool), usually with archaeological significance.
  • ASTROPHILATELY Space related postage stamps.
  • AUDIOPHILY The collecting of recorded sound.
  • AURICULAR Shaped like the ear.
  • AUTOMOBILIA Items relating to motor vehicles.
  • BACK STAMP A maker's marking on the underside of a ceramic piece. (Back Stamps scored through, indicate 'seconds').
  • BANDOPHILY The collecting of cigar bands.
  • BEZEL The metal frame around the glass of a watch or clock.
  • BIBLIOLOGY The study of books.
  • BIBLIOPHILY The collecting of books.
  • BIBLIOTICS The study of documents to determine their authenticity.
  • BOOTERS Buyers at a car boot sale.
  • BOXWOOD Close grained light yellow wood of the box. A mustard spoon could typically be made of boxwood.
  • BREWERIANA 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.
  • CAGOPHILY The collecting of keys.
  • CAMEO 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.
  • CARTOGRAPHY The study, making, and collecting of maps.
  • CARTOPHILY The collecting of cigarette cards.
  • CAST IRON Ironwork produced by pouring molten iron into a pre-shaped mould.
  • CERAMICS The generic term for pottery, porcelain, terracotta, etc.
  • CHINOISERIE Decorative artwork with Chinese characteristics.
  • CHIROGRAPHY The study of handwriting.
  • CHRYSOLOGY The study of precious metals.
  • CHURCHILLANIA Collectable items relating to Winston Churchill.
  • CLYVESOPHILY Collecting of mugs.
  • CODICOLOGY The study of early manuscripts.
  • CONCHOLOGY The study of shells.
  • COPOCLEPHILY The collecting of key rings.
  • COTTAPENSOPHILY Collecting of coat hangers.
  • CRAZING A fine network of cracks in the glaze of pottery and porcelain.
  • CRIMINOLOGY The study of criminals and crime.
  • CRYPTOLOGY The study of codes.
  • DACTYLIOLOGY The study of rings.
  • DECAL Short for decalcomania. The art or process of transferring a design from prepared paper onto another surface.
  • DELFTWARE Earthenware named after the Dutch town of Delft.
  • DELTIOLOGY The collecting of postcards.
  • DIECAST Zinc alloy used to manufacture toys, enabling the production of strong, shiny, bright, permanently decorated items.
  • DIGITABULIST The collecting of thimbles.
  • DISCOPHILY The collecting of recorded music.
  • DISNEYANA 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.
  • ECCLESIOLOGY The study and collection of items relating to church.
  • EDWARDIAN Relating to the period of the reign of King Edward Vll (1901 – 1910).
  • EGYPTOLOGY The study of Ancient Egypt.
  • ENAMEL 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.
  • ENIGMATOLOGY The study and collecting of puzzles.
  • EPHEMERA Anything designed to be used and then thrown away, usually made of paper. For example, old bus tickets and cigarette packets.
  • EPNS Electro Plated Silver Nickel - silver plate.
  • EROTICA Glamour related items.
  • ESCAPEMENT 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.
  • ETYMOLOGY The study of the origin of words.
  • EXONUMIA The US word for coin-like objects (and the collecting of them).
  • FLATWARE 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.
  • FOXING 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.
  • FROMOLOGY Cheese label collecting.
  • FUSILATELY The collecting of phone cards.
  • GEMMOLOGY The study of jewels and gems.
  • GEORGIAN Relating to the period of the four King Georges, 1714 – 1830.
  • GILDED Covered with a thin layer of gold.
  • GLYPTOGRAPHY The art of engraving on gemstones.
  • GLYPTOLOGY The study of gem engravings.
  • GNOMONICS 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.
  • 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.
  • HISTORIOGRAPHY The study of writing history.
  • HISTORIOLOGY Study of history.
  • HOPLOLOGY The study of weaponry.
  • HOROGRAPHY The art of constructing sundials or clocks.
  • HOROLOGY The science of time measurement.
  • HOSTELAPHILY The collecting of outdoor signs from inns.
  • HYMNOGRAPHY The study of writing hymns.
  • HYMNOLOGY The study of hymns.
  • ICONOLOGY The study of icons and symbols.
  • INFUNABULIST See 'Bandophily'.
  • JUVENALIA Children's play items.
  • KITCHENALIA 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).
  • LABEORPHILY The collecting of beer bottle labels.
  • LACLABPHILY See 'Fromology'.
  • LACQUER The application of several layers of paint and special varnish to produce a decorative surface.
  • LAPIDARY Cutting and engraving precious stones.
  • LEPIDOPTEROLOGY 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.
  • LOTOLOGY The collecting of scratch cards and lottery related items.
  • LUCITE Transparent thermoplastic acrylic resin.
  • LUSTRE A glaze - surface coating for ceramics creating shine.
  • MAGIRICS The art of cookery.
  • MATT GLAZE A dull-surfaced glaze, non-reflecting.
  • MEMORABILIA Items to commemorate memorable events.
  • MILITARIA Collecting of materials or objects relating to the military.
  • MISCELLANY A whole variety of objects. Miscellaneous items.
  • MODERNIST A style characteristic of modern times.
  • MYTHOLOGY The study of myths and fables.
  • NETSUKE Traditional Japanese clothing, such as the kimono, had no pockets, so it was necessary for people to carry items like pipes and tobacco in containers called sagemono. These sagemono were hung from the sash of the kimono (the obi), and were secured in place using specially carved toggles known as netsuke.
  • NOTAPHILY The collecting of bank notes.
  • NUMISMATICS The collecting of and study of coins.
  • OBJECTS OF VIRTU Fine art objects and antiques.
  • OBJETS D'ART 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'.
  • OENOLOGY The study of wine.
  • OLEOGRAPH A lithographic reproduction of an oil painting.
  • OOLOGY The collecting of and study of bird's eggs.
  • OPERCULISM Collecting of milk tops.
  • PALAEOBIOLOGY The study of fossil plants and animals.
  • PALEONTOLOGY The study of ancient life and fossils.
  • PAPIER-MACHE Layers of paper shredded into a pulp and then pressed into shapes.
  • PAPYROLOGY The study of paper.
  • PARANUMISTMATICA The UK word for coin-like objects (and the collecting of them). A sub-category of 'Numismatics'.
  • PARAPHERNALIA Miscellany associated with particular interests and items.
  • PARURE A full matching jewellery set comprising necklace, brooch, bracelet, and earrings.
  • PETROLIANA Gas and oil related items.
  • PHILATELY Stamp collecting and the study of postal history.
  • PHILLUMENY The collecting of matchboxes and matchbox labels.
  • PHILOGRAPHY Autograph collecting.
  • PHILOMETRY Collecting of First Day Covers.
  • PHONOPHILY See 'Discophily'.
  • 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.
  • PORCELAIN 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.
  • PROOF Early impression of a stamp, coin or medal, struck as a specimen.
  • PROVENANCE Proof of past ownership or of authenticity.
  • RAILWAYANA Collectable items relating to the railway.
  • REGENCY The style of furniture, buildings, literature etc., popular in Great Britain 1811 – 1820.
  • RETRO A fashion design, décor or style reminiscent of things past.
  • RETRO CHIC Stylish and elegant retro.
  • RETROPHILIA A love for things of the past.
  • REVERSE Of a coin or medal (see 'Obverse').
  • RHYKENOLOGY The collection and study of woodworking tools.
  • ROCOCO 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.
  • SCRIPOPHILY The collecting of old financial documents, such as stocks and bonds certificates.
  • SEPIA 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.
  • SIDEROGRAPHY The art of engraving on steel.
  • SOCIOLOGY The study of society.
  • SOLANDER BOX 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.
  • STANHOPE Novelty item with a tiny lens that reveals a photograph when held to light.
  • STIPPLE Decoration consisting of tiny dots in an overall pattern.
  • STONEWARE Glazed pottery in which both body and glaze are fused together.
  • SUCROLOGY The collecting of sugar packets.
  • TAT 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.
  • TEEKIN American term for 'antiquing' (buying, browsing, selling).
  • TEGESTOLOGY The collecting of beer mats.
  • TEST PRESSING The first factory pressings of the record. For circulation to reviewers. Often plain white labels.
  • TOBACCIANA Smoking related collectable items.
  • TREEN 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.
  • TURNERY The art of turning in a lathe.
  • TYPOGRAPHY The art of printing or using type.
  • UK QUADS Film posters. Generally unique to the UK because they are landscape instead of portrait.
  • VECTURIST Transport token collector.
  • VELOLOGY The collecting of Vehicle Excise Licences (tax discs).
  • VENEER A thin layer of wood used to surface or decorate a piece of furniture.
  • VEXILLOLOGY The study of and collecting of flags and bunting.
  • VICTORIANA Objects of the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837 – 1901).
  • VITREOUS Glass-like. Usually refers to a porcelain or stoneware fired body.
  • VITRICS Glassware and the study of.
  • XYLOGRAPHY The art of engraving on wood.
  • XYLOLOGY The study of wood.