Philately

A Russian stamp, national costume of Russia, 2012

Philately is the study and collection of postage stamps and postal history.

Types of Philately

Thematic philately, also known as topical philately, is the study of art shown on stamps. This can be pictures of many things on a stamp, like people, animals, boats, insects, and vehicles. Interesting parts of thematic philately also include mistakes in the art of a stamp. For example, the removal of cigarettes from United States stamps.
Postal history studies the history of how mail and stamps were processed. This relates to post offices, postmarks, and how mail is taken from place to place.
Aerophilately studies airmail (mail that travels on planes).
Astrophilately studies stamps that are related to outer space, and objects like the Moon.

The Penny Red was used in the UK for many years (1841–1879), and comes in hundreds of variations which are subject to detailed study by philatelists.
Zeppelin mail from Gibraltar to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil via Berlin on the Christmas flight (12th South American flight) of 1934
1960 Soviet stamp marking Collectors' Day: "Philately serves the friendship of peoples."
A large stamp show (philatelic exhibition) at which collectors and dealers meet

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