What is Philately

Philately is generally the term given to those who collect stamps. However it is much deeper than just collecting stamps.

Philately is more accurately, the study of stamps. This includes the history of the stamp, the printing processes of the stamp, understanding the plates the stamps were printed on and how to accurately identify each stamp to its position on those plates.

To understand a stamp, in terms of philatelists, is to go very deeply into every nuance of that stamp. To study the flaws, identify them and trace them back to previously identified flaws, hoping always to find something new that has not yet been discovered and catalogued.

An ultimate endeavour in philately is to re-create an entire plate of stamps. To collect them either as used or unused and build a collection that reflects an accurate recreation of the plate being printed, having brought all the stamps back from their travels around the world, back to where they began. A completed replica plate printing helps philatelists understand the history of the plate, the wear and tear that occurred over time, flaws that developed and how they came to be.

It is a very meticulous endeavour but the knowledge garnered helps to value stamps. A position of one stamp on a plate is little significance. But if that stamp was next to a known flaw in the plate, it is a bit more exciting and helps identify the more accurately.

Philately also follows the printers and designers of the stamps, the social trends at the time, any controversies that arose through post office history and gossip. They have traced and documented the printing processes of generations gone, to educate on the engraving, placing of dies, inking, perforations and more.

It is this meticulous study that can differentiate a stamps value from $5.00 to $5,000 if its complete history is known and it is only through their work that this knowledge that can be derived.

Philately is not just about stamp collecting but understanding the entire process and contributing to a world of knowledge so that all who have interests in stamps can benefit from the collective knowledge.