The Unique Gift of a Stamp Collection: Beginners Philatelic Resources

The study of postal history and stamps is what the definition of philately is. Sometimes, there is confusion about where philately begins and where stamp collecting ends. In general, philately is more involved than stamp collecting, which is simply a hobby that involves the collection of postage stamps and other similar objects. A stamp collector is likely not a person who studies stamps, which philately involves. For example, a philatelist can study stamps, yet actually not own any stamps himself.

What Is Philately?

Philately is the study of stamps and postal history. More specifically, philately is the study of the technical side of stamp identification and production. This includes the method of printing the stamp, the stamp-design process, the paper utilized, the stamp-printing method, the gum, the separation method, any stamp overprints, the stamp’s security markings, and even the study of forgeries of stamps. Someone who pursues philately does more than just collect stamps as a hobby.

• Philately on Norkolk: Philately that takes a look at Norkfolk Island stamps.
• Middle East: Philately that is focused on the Middle East.
• Philately Glossary: A glossary that covers all the relevant terms in this field.
• Definition: Dictionary definition of philately.
• Philately Resource Page: Webpage designed to lead visitors to more websites on philately.

What Is Stamp Collecting?

Stamp collecting is best thought of as a hobby, one of the most popular in the world. In the US alone, estimates indicate that some 20 million Americans are engaged in the hobby of stamp collecting. All stamp collecting is is what its name implies: the collection of postage stamps and items related to postage stamps. The aim of a stamp collector, unlike a philatelist, is simply to accumulate stamps for the pure enjoyment of doing so and without concerning himself with the in-depth particulars of the stamps.

• Math-themed Stamp Collecting: Collecting stamps that feature mathematicians.
• Introduction to Stamp Collecting: An introduction to stamp collecting for those who don’t know anything about it.
• Stamp Collecting Terminology: Webpage that features links to websites with more information on stamp collecting terms.
• Stamp Collecting Glossary: Glossary on stamp collecting terminology.
• Stamp Newspaper: Web newspaper for all those wanting information on stamp collecting.

History of Philately

The history of philately began with the realization that similar-looking postage stamps actually contained marked differences when held up to closer scrutiny. These differences manifested themselves in the perforations, colors, watermarks, paper, and printed areas of the stamps. Adding to the interest in differences between postage stamps is the fact that record comparisons among various postal authorities actually indicate that some changes may have been intentional. The number of stamp forgeries over the years has also made philately important in regards to being able to detect the frauds. In 1864, Georges Herpin coined the French word “philatelie” from which is derived the English, “philately.”

• Stamp Forgeries: Press release that talks about postal forgeries in the two World Wars.
• Philately’s History: Webpage that chronicles the history of this study.
• History of Philately: The history of philately, albeit in Vatican City.
• Examination of the History of Philately: A webpage that looks at philately’s history.
• Brief History of Philately: A website that provides a brief glimpse into when philately started and how.

Types of Philately

Philately is represented by a number of different areas of study within this field. In general, the types of philately break down as follows. There are eight types of philately, and they are thematic, aerophilately, postal history, postal stationery, Cinderella philately, philatelic literature, revenue philately, and maximaphily. Thematic philately is the study of the depictions on stamps; aerophilately is the study of airmail; postal history is the study of the usage of stamps in mail; postal stationery is the study of postal cards, envelopes, wrappers, and letter sheets; Cinderella philately is the study of objects that look like stamps, but are not really stamps; philatelic literature is the study of the consequences of philately; revenue philately is the study of stamps that are utilized in the collection of fees or taxes; and maximaphily studies maximum cards.

• TPC Website: Website that promotes thematic philately.
• Aerophilately Homepage: Website that provides information on aerophilately.
• Postal History Webpage: Webpage from the USPS that discusses postal history over the years.
• Cinderella Philately: Brief section on webpage that discusses Cinderella philately.
• Explanation of Philatelic Literature: A webpage that explains what philatelic literature deals with.

Philatelic Organizations and Societies

Philatelic organizations began appearing almost as quickly as people began to study and collect postage stamps. Philatelic organizations and societies are comprised of local, international, and national clubs in which collectors join forces to share their hobby. Philatelic organizations have cropped up all over the world. Some of the largest and most popular ones are the American Philatelic Society, the American Air Mail Society, and the Federation Internationale de Philatelie, which is based in Switzerland.

• Christchurch: Website for philately group in Christchurch, New Zealand.
• APS: Website for the American Philatelic Society, which boasts more than 5000 members.
• AAMS: Website for the American Air Mail Society, the planet’s second-oldest such society.
• FIP: Website for the Federation Internationale de Philatelie, an organization out of Switzerland.
• HPS: Website for the Hawaiian Philatelic Society.

Libraries and Museums

As philately has become more popular over the last 100-plus years, libraries and museums have also sprung up to accommodate the demand. There are a good number of philatelic libraries and museums across the US, and some appear in countries like England also. Some of the most prominent philatelic libraries are the American Philatelic Research Library in Pennsylvania, the Western Philatelic Library in California, and the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library in Colorado. Some of the most known philatelic museums are the National Post Museum in the nation’s capital, the British Postal Museum Archive in London, and the Postal History Foundation.

• Alexander Museum: Tel Aviv museum that features a section on the history of philately.
• NPM: Website for the National Postal Museum.
• Spellman: Website for the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History.
• RMPL: Website for the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library.
• WPL: Website for the Western Philatelic Library.