On piece

Stamps left on paper cut from its envelope or parcel are said to be on piece. This assumes the stamp is tied to the backing paper and is supposed to prove actual postal usage, particularly in the case of bisects. In some cases, it might mean the stamp is too fragile to be removed from its paper.

The best cases are where entire postmarks and/or postal markings are preserved. Where backing paper has been cut close, this has often been described as "on small piece".

However, particularly in the case of bisects, there then is no proof that the item originated on a legitimate cover, so a usage on piece should be taken less seriously than a full cover.  File:Faroes bisect.jpg|provisional bisect of Denmark stamp used in the Faroe Islands File:1924 Mt Everest.jpg|Mount Everest expedition stamp File:Mona 10c sm medall.webp|Monaco stamp on small piece 

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