The Institute for Analytical Philately, Inc.
Essay text: For instance, some philatelists will study extremely rare stamps without expecting to own copies of them, whether because of cost, or because the sole survivors are in museums. Conversely, stamp collecting itself is the acquisition of stamps, at times without regard for origin or usage.Philately, the study of stamps, differs from stamp collecting, although both hobbies appear synonymous with each other. Not every philatelist collects stamps, however, and many collectors hoard rare stamps without getting involved with the tiny details behind each commemorative adhesive postmark.The term philately also denotes the collecting of these items. The term was coined in 1864 by a Frenchman, Georges Herpin, who invented it from the Greek philos, “love,” and ateleia, “that which is tax-free”; the postage stamp permitted the letter to come free of charge to the recipient, rendering it untaxed.
Special stamps may be issued to commemorate specific events. Such stamps are usually limited editions. Topical or thematic philately is the study of what is depicted on the stamps. For instance, birds, insects, faces of famous people, flowers, sports, maps etc., may be featured on various stamps.Social Philately represents a study of the development of social systems and products derived from the operation of postal systems. It includes material which can be included in other classes of philately as well as non philatelic items which are directly related to the operations and products of a postal system, either as post office equipment or as material developed by commerce to use or.
In philately, an essay is a design for a proposed stamp submitted to the postal authorities for consideration but not used, or used after alterations have been made. By contrast, a proof is a trial printing of an accepted stamp. Both essays and proofs are rare, as usually just a few are produced.
