Philately is the collecting of postage stamps or stamps.
The notion of philately comes from the French word philatélie . The term refers to the collecting of postage stamps , also known as stamps in Latin American countries .
The idea of philately can refer both to the creation of this type of collections as a hobby and to the analysis of stamps. In addition, the activity consisting of buying and/or selling this type of items is called philately.
What is philately?
Before moving forward, it is important to mention that the formation of collections is called collecting . A collection , meanwhile, is an ordered set of elements of the same type that are usually brought together based on a particular interest .
In the case of philately, what is collected are postage stamps . These stamps are small pieces of paper that are attached to letters and postal packages to certify or postage them. It should be noted that franking is the action of paying, in advance and in stamps, the amount corresponding to sending an object by mail.
The philatelist or philatelist , in this way, is dedicated to buying, selling, exchanging and studying postage stamps . The value of these stamps may lie in their age, their availability, their design, etc. There are philatelists who develop specialized collections, collecting stamps from a nation , an era or a specific motif.
The origins of the activity
The birth of philately is closely linked to the creation of postage stamps. In this sense, it is important to mention that the Englishman Rowland Hill was the one who devised the first postage stamp, known as Penny Black and issued in 1840 .
The Penny Black marked the beginning of the prepaid system . Until then, the postal service was paid at the destination, which caused problems if the recipient did not have money or refused to pay.
Just one year after the creation of the Penny Black , the development of philately began. Little by little, collectors began to publish advertisements in newspapers requesting stamps to enrich their collections.
There are specialized collections of philately, focused on particular themes, countries or eras.
The consolidation of philately
Over time , multiple activities and actions linked to philately emerged. Thus the development of exhibitions , the founding of clubs and the publication of magazines about the hobby became frequent in many regions.
Philatelist meetings in parks , squares and other public spaces are still popular. There are exchanges of stamps and purchase and sale operations.
Philately, on the other hand, gave rise to million-dollar auctions . In many cases stamps and collections were acquired for large amounts of money .
Tools and accessories used by philatelists
It is interesting to note that those who are dedicated to philately use various implements. The basic equipment includes a clamp to avoid touching the seals with your hands, avoiding possible damage; a magnifying glass to appreciate the details; and albums or cases to preserve the collection.
There are also other more specific devices. One of them is the odontometer , which is used to measure the teeth of the seals. The odontometer can be printed or digital .