The Philatelic World

A directory of the world's greatest stamps, the history of philately and the stories behind the most collectable stamps, and step-by-step advice on creating and preserving a collection.

Excerpt from The Stamp Collector: A Guide to the World's Postage Stamps Stamp collecting was an unknown hobby to two generations ago, yet its present followers may be counted by hundreds of thousands. In no period of its existence has it been so popular as to-day, partly because the War led many people to seek solace from its pursuit and partly because the national outlook has grown more world-wide than heretofore. In recent years, the collector has indulged in philately with more method and science than was his former wont so that now there is a demand for information and guidance greater than has ever been evinced before. To supply these needs has been our mission in writing the pages which follow. But our scheme may be explained at greater length. First, we have endeavoured to state the merits of stamp collecting; then we have attempted to impart to our readers some of the enthusiasm which we, ourselves, possess for this Royal pastime and this has been followed by a full recital of the numerous pitfalls which beset philately and the philatelist. In this hobby of ours, there is so much that can be collected and so much that ought not to be collected that very definite guidance is necessary for those who are not practised hands. Such guidance, we believe, will be found herein. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

"Stamp Collecting as a Pastime" by Edward J. Nankivell Edward James Nankivell was a respected member of the Institute of Journalists in London and an avid early stamp collector. Stamp collecting was a relatively new hobby and was not taken seriously at all by the people until this book. In it, he describes the charm of the hobby. The international nature and appeal, the rarities of stamps, how they're little works of art, and what collectors look for are just a few of the themes discussed in this text to help educate and entice readers to start collecting for themselves.

An obsessively readable memoir about the passions—and perils—of collecting, from the New York Times–bestselling author of Just My Type. From the Penny Red to the Blue Mauritius, generations of collectors have been drawn to the mystique of rare stamps. Once a widespread pastime of schoolboys, philately has increasingly become the province of older men obsessed with the shrewd investment, the once-in-a-lifetime find, the one elusive beauty that will complete a collection and satisfy an unquenchable thirst. As a boy, Simon Garfield collected errors—rare pigment misprints that create ghostly absences in certain stamps. Then, in his mid-forties, this passion reignited—and it began to consume him. In the span of a couple of years, he amassed a collection of errors worth upwards of forty thousand British pounds. But as he was pursuing this secret passion, he was also pursuing a romantic one—while his marriage disintegrated. In this unique memoir, Simon Garfield twines the story of his philatelic obsession with an honest, engrossing exploration of the rarities and absences that both limit and define us. The end result is a thoughtful, funny, and enticing meditation on the impulse to possess.

Discusses the history of stamps, describes the collections of several prominent people, and provides information and advice on beginning and maintaining a collection.