Philatelism

Philatelism, commonly referred to as philately, is the study and collection of postage stamps and related postal materials. It encompasses the acquisition and organization of stamps, postmarks, postal stationery, and other artifacts that illuminate the history and operation of postal systems. Practitioners may focus on stamp collecting as a hobby, or undertake scholarly research into postal history, production methods, rates, routes, and social context.

Collectors may specialize by country, era, theme, or format. Traditional collecting centers on stamps, while thematic or topical philately builds exhibits around subjects such as geography, science, or culture. Postal history covers mail routes, censorship, rates, handstamps, and postal markings, as well as the usage of stamps in correspondence. Common philatelic items include first-day covers, souvenir sheets, airmail envelopes, and postal stationery.

The field has a long history dating to the 19th century, shortly after the first postage stamps emerged. The term philately is often attributed to Georges Herpin in the 1860s. Today, the community is organized through national societies such as the American Philatelic Society and the Royal Philatelic Society London, and international bodies like the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie. Exhibitions, publications, and catalogs (for example by Stanley Gibbons, Scott, or Michel) support research, authentication, and trade. Digital resources and online marketplaces have expanded access to material but also raised issues of provenance and forgery.

Philatelism intersects hobby, history, and philology, offering both personal enjoyment and scholarly insight into communication networks.