| With the birth of stamps came the birth of stamp | | | | With the introduction of commemorative stamps |
| collectors, which occurred shortly after the first | | | | came an increasing popularity in the hobby. The |
| adhesive postage stamp was introduced by Great | | | | very first United State stamps that were issued |
| Britain during the year of 1840. The study of | | | | for commemorative stamps, which were |
| postage stamps, which is also known as philately | | | | designed to remember and honor the discovery |
| was derived from the Greek word phileo that | | | | of the New World by Christopher Columbus was |
| means I love and the word ateleia meaning free | | | | during 1893, while a few of those stamps are |
| of charges. | | | | extremely valuable today. |
| As individuals first began collecting these | | | | There have been many changes in stamps since |
| interesting little pieces of paper they did not | | | | their first introduction in 1840, which includes that |
| actually realize just how valuable they would | | | | they have been perforated, coiled, and are now |
| become. The first advertisement for collectors | | | | being printed in a variety of colors, types, |
| began in 1841 in the London Times when women | | | | formats, and designs. During the years that lead |
| began placing ads requesting help collecting their | | | | up to the horrible Great Depression collecting |
| stamp so they could paper a bedroom wall. With | | | | stamps had become one of the most popular |
| the variety of postage stamps available in the | | | | hobbies in the world, which is continuing to be |
| 1860s, children every where began collecting | | | | popular among children and adults. Stamp collecting |
| stamps from the mail of their parents. These | | | | is accessible for just about anyone without them |
| children quickly grew into adults and as they grew | | | | having to spend major amounts of money |
| they continued collecting stamps making it their | | | | because there are few stamps that are |
| hobby. | | | | exceptionally valuable. |
| In fact, the grandson of Queen Victoria began | | | | With the increase of postage stamp values came |
| collecting stamps with the help of servants who | | | | a large increase of the number of stamp |
| handled the mail at Buckingham Palace, and it | | | | collectors, which was the result of older stamps |
| quickly became his passion in life. When he | | | | being saved in such good condition. During the |
| became an adult he was one of leading philatelists | | | | 1930s, many American collectors stockpiled |
| in world and also known as King George V, who | | | | stamps that were issued in the 1920s, which |
| was asked to become a member of the Philatelic | | | | quickly rose in value, with hopes of eventually |
| Society in London. He soon became a very a | | | | selling them for a sizeable profit later on. |
| very active member and was later elected as the | | | | However, this never occurred. More than sixty |
| president of the Society, but later when he | | | | years later, these stamps can still be found in |
| became the King of England he gave the club a | | | | mint condition. |
| new name, which was the Royal Philatelic Society | | | | Souvenir sheet from various countries are |
| of London. As King, he assembled what would | | | | extremely popular with collectors and any hard to |
| turn out to be the greatest stamp collections in | | | | find plate number coils, plus any stamps with |
| the world. He would present parts of his collection | | | | errors are always going to be popular. So when |
| to the club as their annual program and this | | | | you begin your own collection determine exactly |
| tradition still continues today for members to | | | | what type or theme you desire and start |
| view his massive collection. | | | | collecting. |