Postage Stamp CollectingStamp collecting
has become one of the most respected hobby of the people throughout
the world. A stamp needs a bit of time and a piece of place to collect
and keep. This is why people love to collect them. Stamp collecting
can also be a very inexpensive hobby, which is one of the main reasons
for the people to join in the stamp-collecting group.
The first postage stamp was issued by Great Britain as a way to pre-pay the cost for the delivery of mail. The first-ever stamp was issued on May 6, 1840 and Sir Rowland Hill has first came up with the idea of postage stamps as a part of Great Britain?s standardized postal rates. The first postage stamp was referred as the Penny Black. The postage stamps have assisted for the elimination of certain problems associated with the mail delivery. With in twenty years after the introduction of the stamp, it became so popular around the world and 70 countries have adopted the postage stamp system. Stamp Collecting Postage stamp collecting enthusiasm was born at the time of the first stamp was issued. Around 1860, there were thousands of collectors and businesspersons became suppliers in terms of the desires of these collectors. The madness of stamp collection has swept entire Europe and the European colonies all over the world. People have collected stamps in different ways. Some of them even tried to cover their rooms with sheets of stamps, which were issued. Business Businesspersons found a role in stamp collecting hobby of the people. They opened businesses and supplied the stamps and accessories to the collectors. They started to sell different stamp collecting paraphernalia such as stamp books, hinges, coverings, etc. They also specialized in selling the stamps also. The oldest business, which is specialized in selling the stamps and supplies, is ?Stanley Gibbons? in London. It was established in the year of 1856 and is still existing and growing! Popularity Stamp collecting is continuously garnering the popularity. Estimation indicates that there are 25 million Americans are engaged in the field of collecting the postage stamps. There is an estimated amount of 200 million stamp collectors, around the globe. There are around 125,000 stamp dealers, manufacturers and other businesses associated with stamp collection around the world. There are numerous associations, clubs, and stamp-oriented organizations for encouraging the stamp collecting hobbies of the people around the world. We can find around 4000 annual shows and exhibitions of stamps in the United States. Taking Care of Stamps Many collectors will accommodate their stamps in the specially made albums and stamp books. The stamps will be enclosed in special plastic to prevent them from being damaged. These plastic enclosures are usually hinged to minimize the contact with the stamps. There are other supplies like stamp tongs and magnifying glasses, which are useful for handling stamps. The value of a stamp is mainly dependent on the preservation of its condition. A single scratch on the stamp can render a stamp worthless. Ways of Collecting There are several ways for collecting the stamps. People use to collect the stamps according to their countries of origin or according to the periods when the stamps were issued. Some people would like to collect stamps according to a sub-topic, such as collecting stamps, which contain cartoon characters or perhaps their favorite animal. Postage stamp collecting is not only limited to collecting postage stamps, which refers to collecting stuff that are connected with stamps like stamp covers, envelopes and containers. Philately Collecting stamps is not quite the same as philately. Philately is actually the study of stamps and generally associated with the stamp collecting. A philatelist may not necessarily be a collector and a collector need not be a philatelist. Economic Activity Stamp collecting has generated substantial revenues for small countries, which create the limited edition stamps. These stamps are designed to attract the collectors and are made for profit. Future for Stamp Collecting Some people use to argue that the postage stamp collecting is nearing its end due to the advent of the different hi-tech communication systems like the internet and e-mail services. However, nothing would beat a personalized mail coming from a dearly beloved friend or family member. People will never stop sending mails and packages to other people through the postal services. The requirement of postage stamps will get decreased, but the need for collecting stamps by the hobbyist will never be weaken. People will be more interested in collecting stamps especially with the assumption as that are more difficult to find. Collecting
postage stamps should not be cloudy by too many rules and restrictions.
These stamps are actually a means of earning money. However, the real
values of stamps come from the sheer fun, when one is collecting them.
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