National Postage Stamp Day-US (1st July): Philately for the Young

National Postage Stamp Day- US (1^st July)

Philately for the Young

Millions of people all over the world collect stamps as a choice hobby. Stamps reveal a country's history, geography, culture, flora, fauna, crafts and so on. As a serious pursuit through study and research, stamp collecting can bring great benefit and pleasure.

Today hobbies are vastly diversified and TV and Computers are so popular that philately is essentially for the serious-minded. Stamp collecting is a universal hobby of the young. In most cases this usually consists of collecting stamps and arranging them in a pleasing manner in an album. Philately, on the other hand, is serious stamp-collecting. It is an in-depth study of the stamps, their origin and manufacture. Unfortunately, many young people do not move on from stamp collecting to philately.

As President Roosevelt once said, "Stamp collecting dispels boredom, enlarges our vision, broadens our knowledge, makes us better citizens, and in innumerable ways enriches our lives. 

"Philately can widen their horizon of knowledge.

Each stamp identifies people, places, events and other subjects. Many stamp series relate to themes which include history, geography animals and the achievements of mankind. The images make the hobby a more serious and enjoyable one.

The word 'philately' was first used to describe stamp collecting by French stamp collector, M.Georges Herpin, when he wrote an article for a French stamp magazine in 1864. The word originates from the Greek words 'philos' meaning loving and 'atelia' meaning exemption from tax, collection of stamps, postmarks and so on, as a hobby. There are many famous people who took sometime off from their busy schedules to devote to philately. President Roosevelt of the United States of America was an ardent stamp collector. Similarly, some members of the royal family of Great Britain like King George V, King Edward VIII, as well as Queen Elizabeth II now, collected stamps.

There is an interesting story of how the hobby of stamp collecting started. It is said that there was an old lady in Great Britain, who was too poor to have her walls covered with wallpaper. She, therefore, started covering her walls with used stamps, arranged in an artistic manner. She then got actually interested in the postage stamps and eventually, the stamps descended from the walls and into an album. Thus originated one of the greatest hobbies of our times.

On May 6, 1840, the world's first adhesive stamp made its appearance. It was issued by the British post office, and was called the 'Penny Black'. Sir Rowland Hill is regarded as the 'Father of the Adhesive Postage Stamp'. 

The International bodies for this are-- The Federation International de Philatele (FIP), The Union Postale Universelle (UPU).

The future of philately is bright. Stamp collecting as a hobby has survived rapid changes in world events and remains an enduring pastime. I believe it will become even more fascinating in the Space Age. For eg., we may have post offices in space and on other planets. There are stamps that have been carried to space, cancelled and brought back to earth. Thematic collection also has a particularly bright future, because it is less expensive than the country-by-country collection. The search for rare stamps is never over and can bring much excitement. 

A boy in our own Philately Club has specimens of the 'Penny Black' originally collected by his grandfather. Philately opens up avenues for friendship all over the world. It rises above caste and creed promoting thereby the spirit of national integration and universal brotherhood.  

In our school, we have introduced Philately Club to give students a platform as a leader and to promote various qualities as self- control, self-reliance, self-discipline and developing confidence and team spirit in them. Our school is a member of Indian Postal Philatic Bureau, Ambala.

Saving the best for the last, our Club has arranged various lectures and meetings. In the days ahead we have plans to organize several competitions, debates, quiz, exhibitions etc. 

In the end, a special vote of thanks to our respected Principal, Mr. Julian Egbert for his much valued support and encouragement.