Philately popularly known as Stamp Collection is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Philately is not just a collection of stamps or postal products, it’s a field of study that focuses on collection, appreciation, and research on activities related to philatelic products.
As a hobby, Philately or Stamp collecting is so fascinating and exciting as you come across stamps of various countries that have different shapes, sizes, designs, languages, nomenclatures, traditions, themes, currencies, and much more.
Personally, Philately has been one of most loved hobbies from the days of my childhood.
In this article:
What is Philately?
Philately is the collection and study of postage materials such as stamps and history of the postal system. The word Philately was coined by Georges Herpin in the year 1864 and It is the transliteration of the French word Philatélie.
Philately is not just stamp collection, but it is the research and study of stamps. A person who loves everything about stamps is popularly known as a philatelist.
A philatelist would generally study, design, printing process, type of paper, nature of perforations, ink markings, errors on stamps, originality of samps & much more.
Different Types of Philately:
There are different types of philately and as a philatelist, one gets to choose the one that suits him or her the best. This is what makes Philately much more interesting.
These different types of Philately help you organize your stamp collection and store it on to stamp collection book(s) by its type. If you are planning to start Philately as a new hobby, this would help you understand about stamps much more in detail.
Below are the different types of philately or themes for the stamp collection:
Traditional Philately: The Broadest Type of Philately
It is also known as topical philately and has a broader scope when compared to all the other different types of philately.
Topical Philately is about focussing more on what is being depicted on individual stamps. For example, if you are fond of birds – you can collect stamps only related to birds. The theme of collection may vary from person to person depending on their own interest. A few popular themes are presidents, freedom fighters, maps, aircraft, sports, insects, and much more.
In addition to the collection, you also would closely work on checking design mistakes and alterations that have been made on stamps.
Aerophilately: For The Flight Lover
As an individual, You are fascinated with airplanes and you want to adopt the same in your hobbies as well by collecting stamps related to airmail.
In addition to stamps, you could also collect airmail etiquettes, postal documents that are transmitted by air, postal markings, first flights, and other special flights mails recovered from aircraft accidents.
Astrophilately: For Outer Space Lover
As an individual, You are fascinated with space crafts, space shifts, satellites and etc. You want to adopt the same in your hobbies as well by collecting stamps or covers or other postal materials related to space mail.
Youth Philately: For The Kid In You
Are you fond of cartoons and comic characters? Then Youth Philately is for you!
Youth philately is all about colorful cartoon and comic characters that can make the kids and young people love stamps collection. If you are a parent and want to transfer your hobby to your children then you can do this by encouraging you kind to start with youth philately.
Cinderella Philately: For The One’s Fond of Fairy Tales
Did you stop believing in fairytales? But still, you believe but you believe that they are cute looking or make you feel happy when you look at similar kinds of stamps. Then Cinderella Philately is for you!
Revenue Philately: For the Taxes Enthusiasts
A revenue stamp is a stamp that is used for the collection of taxes and fees.
Revenue Philately is the branch of philately that involves the study of stamps that are used to collect taxes or fees.
Why Philately Is Called The King Of Hobbies?
Philately or Stamp Collection also is known as the King of Hobbies or Hobby of Kings is one of the most famous hobbies. For most people, Philately as a Hobby starts during their childhood by collecting stamps that they receive as mail at their home. As they grow older, they would find and meet people in the industry and start purchasing the rare and hard to find stamps from a seller. They would also meet people and start exchanging stamps with each other.
Philately is one such hobby that is loved by kids, young adults, adults, and even senior citizens. It is loved by people of any income level.
It is also true that the most famous personalities like former President Franklin Roosevelt, The Former Kings of Britain George V, George VI, New Jersey Congressman Ernest R. Ackerman, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Nicolas Sarkozy – The 23rd President of France, Charlie Chaplin – A popular actor, Popular Businessman Warren Buffett and many more.
Philately or Stamp Collection is one hobbies that has been enjoyed for centuries. Throughout history, it has been praised as one of the best hobbies by Kings, Queens, politicians, poor, rich, business people, financial accountants, movie stars, many others who have a keen interest in the hobby.
While you find a keen interest in the hobby, it helps you gain knowledge in multiple subjects such as History, Culture, Tradition, Finance, Economics, Geography, Species, Ecosystem, Sports, Printing, and much more.
As the hobby has been passionately followed, supported, and lauded by many kings and queens of different countries – It is popularly known as the Hobby of Kings.
As a hobby, Philately or Stamp Collection is not only recreational but it also increases our knowledge and wisdom as you start to deep dive into detailing of stamps. Stamps come in multiple designs, colours, shapes, themes, and dimensions. It will definitely absorb an individual completely involved in it. Considering the value offering that it provides to its passionate lovers, It is popularly known as the King of Hobbies.
Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana by Indian Ministry of communication to promote Philately
Under the scheme of SPARSH (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby), The Ministery of Communications headed by Shri Manoj Sinha launched a Pan India scholarship program for school children known as Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana in the year 2017. The main aim of this scheme is to increase the reach of Philately.
Benefits of Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana:
- The scholarship amount of Rs. 6000/- per annum, paid out as Rs. 500 per month.
- Every school participating in the competition, would be assigned with a Philately mentor.
Selection Criteria of Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana:
- He or She must be of Standard studying in VI to IX In India
- He or She should have a good academic record
- He or She must be pursuing Philately as a hobby
- He or She must clear a philatelic quiz and Every Postal Circle will select a maximum of 40 scholarships representing 10 students each from Standard VI, VII, VIII & IX
- He or She must be a student of a recognized school within India and the school should have a Philately Club to promote philately or a student must own Philately Deposit Account
Please visit the Indian Posts Website to know more about the same.
Philatelic Societies and Clubs in India
There are multiple societies and clubs in India that support and nourish Philately, a few of the popular philately clubs below,
- In Karnataka, Dakshina Kannada Philatelic and Numismatic Association.
- In Andra Pradesh, Numismatic & Philatelic Society of East Godavari
- In Gujarath, Gujarat Philatelists’ Association
- In Kerala, Thrissur Philatelic Club
- In Maharastra, The Philatelic Society Of India
- In Tamil Nadu, South India Philatelists’ Association
- In Rajasthan, Philatelic Society of Rajasthan
Since times immemorial the hobby of Philately has been lauded by many famous personalities for its contribution to a person and society. It has been practiced by more than 22 million people in the USA.
After knowing all these will you start Philately as a Hobby today? Let us know by commenting below. If you have liked this article, don’t forget to read articles about leisure, Mind Wellness, Body Wellness, Food &, etc.