Did You Know?
The term "philately" comes from the Greek words "philos," meaning "love," and "ateleia," meaning "exempt from tax." Together, they convey the love of stamps, which were used to pre-pay for postal services and thus exempted the sender from paying postage upon delivery.
Did You Know?
The smallest postage stamp ever issued is believed to be a 9.5 x 8 mm stamp from Colombia, released in 1863. In contrast, the largest stamp was issued by China 2017, measuring 210 x 65 mm. Wow!
Did You Know?
The longest running stamp series in the world is the "Definitives" series from Great Britain. The series features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II and has been in continuous production since 1952, with over 200 different designs issued.
Did You Know?
While most stamps are rectangular, there are some unique shapes out there! For instance, Bhutan issued a set of stamps in the 1979 that were shaped like phonograoh records and could actually be played on a turntable.
Did You Know?
Stamp collecting, also know as philately, is one of the world's most popular hobbies. It is estimated that there are over 60 million stamp collectors worldwide, with clubs, exhibitions, and auctions dedicated to the pursuit.
Did You Know?
Stamp errors can make a stamp extremely valuable. For example, the "Treskilling Yellow" from Sweden is one of the most valuable stamps in the world due to a printing error in 1855. It was supposed to be green but was mistakenly printed in yellow.
Did You Know?
The first self adhesive stamp was issued by Sierra Leone in 1964. This innovation was later adopted by many other countries, making it easier for people to send mail without the need for licking or moistening the stamp.
Did You Know?
Modern technology has brought some exciting innovations to stamp collecting. For instance, the United States Postal Service issued a scratch-and-sniff stamp series in 2018, featuring images of ice pops that emit delightful fruity scents when scratched.