Stamp collector

Stamp album, catalogues, and a magnifying glass

A stamp collector or philatelist collects postage stamps as a hobby. Stamp collectors normally keep the stamps in books called stamp albums. A philatelist can study various aspects of definitive stamps and other types of stamps, cancellations, and other philatelic materials.

Some philatelic terms

• Backstamp
• Bisects and splits
• Cancellation
• Gutter
• Kiloware
• Label
• Philatelic expertisation
• Postage stamp block
• Revenue stamp
• Semi-postal
• War tax due stamp

Stamp collecting clubs

There are many stamp collecting clubs around the world. Belonging to a stamp club or philatelic society has many advantages. For example, Royal Philatelic Society of Canada members receive magazines, can get help with questions through phone support, and purchase insurance for their collections at a discounted group rate.

Stamp Collector Media

• François Barraud - Le Philatéliste.jpg

  Le Philatéliste by François Barraud (1929)

• Jongen bezig met een postzegelverzameling, Bestanddeelnr 252-8770.jpg

  A young stamp collector, 1954.

• Stamp Falkland Islands 1891 0.5p.jpg

  Queen Victoria's profile was a staple on 19th century stamps of the British Empire, shown here on a half-penny stamp of the Falkland Islands, 1891.

• French stamp bourse pc Emile Boizot.jpg

  Collectors and dealers at an outdoor French stamp bourse

• 967 -20¢ Multicolored -“Columbia Jays” -C71.jpg

  April 26, 1967 20¢ Multicolored “Columbia Jays” Scott #C71

• Spring Stampex 2011 - from the back.jpg

  A large stamp show of Stampex 2011 containing a bourse at which collectors and dealers meet

• A Sharp Eye on collecting US Classics.pdf

  Publication on the US Classics

• John Lennon's stamp album

• Stamp tongs.jpg

  Stamp tongs with rounded tips help to prevent damage to stamps from skin oils and rough handling.

Related pages

• Philatelic materials
• Stamp album
• Soviet Philatelist
• Coin collecting