Overprint

An overprint is just that, printing on top of an existing stamp design.

It is done to indicate:
 * publicity of an event
 * a change in government
 * usage specifically in a region or another country
 * a change in usage type
 * a change in face value or currency. These are called surcharges (see: Surcharge).

An overprint can be done by printing, handstamping or even by pen.

 File:Burundi A.jpg|Burundi first issue stamp with provisional overprint on an obsolete Ruanda-Urundi stamp. File:Trieste A.jpg|Italian stamp overprinted for use in Trieste. File:China occup N china.jpg|Japanese occupation of China issue overprinted for use in North China (1943), used. File:Croatia shield ovpt.jpg|Croatia overprint used after declaration of independence from Jugoslavia (1941), used. File:Crete HELLAS A.jpg|ΕΛΛΑΣ ("Greece") on stamp of Crete, declaring its union with Greece (1908), used. 