Collecting

Main article: Stamp collecting

See also: Philately

Stamp collecting is a popular hobby. Collecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist often does, but need not, collect the objects of study, nor is it necessary to closely study what one collects. Many casual collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the tiny details. The creation of a large or comprehensive collection, however, may require some philatelic knowledge.

Stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small countries who create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these countries far exceed the postal needs of the countries.

The hundreds of countries, each producing scores of different stamps each year, resulted in 400,000 types of stamp by 2000. Annual world output averages about 10,000 types.

Philatelic abuse

Some countries produce stamps intended primarily for collectors rather than for postal use. These stamps are usually "cancelled to order" meaning they are postmarked without ever having passed through the postal system. This contributes to the countries' revenues. This practice is condoned by collectors for places such as Liechtenstein and Pitcairn Islands that have conservative stamp policies. Abuses, however, are generally condemned. Among the most notable abusers have been Nicholas F. Seebeck and the component states of the United Arab Emirates. Seebeck operated in the 1890s as agent of Hamilton Bank Note Company and approached Latin American countries with an offer to produce their entire postage stamp needs free. In return he would have exclusive rights to market stamps to collectors. Each year a new issue was produced but it expired at the end of the year; this assured Seebeck of a continuing supply of remainders. In the 1960s, printers such as the Barody Stamp Company contracted to produce stamps for the separate Emirates and other countries. These abuses combined with the sparse population of the desert states earned them the reputation of "sand dune" countries.

Some examples include Umm Al Qiwain's series commemorating other countries' national icons, such as the (British) 'Royal Regalia', the Irish 'Blarney Stone' and the Italian 'Pasta types' amongst others. More countries are producing 'special stamps' that appear to be exercises in revenue-creation.[citation needed] For example, the GB 'Millennium Series' issued 96 different stamps over about 24 months, all for pre-existing values with the same four rates for each set.[citation needed] This was viewed by some collectors as being over the top.[citation needed]

Some collectors have taken to philatelic investment. Rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments and are easy to store, but somewhat more difficult to keep in truly first-class condition.