Philately is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It also refers to the collection and appreciation of stamps and other philatelic products. While closely associated with stamp collecting and the study of postage, it is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps. For instance, the stamps being studied may be very rare or reside only in museums.
The British Guiana 1c magenta is regarded by many philatelists as the world's most famous rare stamp. It was issued in limited numbers in British Guiana in 1856, and only one specimen is now known to exist. It is the only major postage stamp ever issued in the United Kingdom or British Commonwealth that is not represented in Britain's Royal Philatelic Collection.
Topical or thematic stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps relating to a particular subject or concept. Topics can be almost anything, from stamps on stamps, birds, trains and poets on stamps, to famous physicians and scientists, along with historical people and events on stamps, which is often a standard theme for many stamp issuing countries.
INTERPHIL, or the Seventh International Philatelic Exhibition, was the seventh decennial philatelic exhibition for the United States held under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP). It was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 29 to June 6, 1976.
The Hong Kong Philatelic Society was established in 1921 and is the oldest philatelic organisation in Hong Kong. Members were mainly Europeans before the war and after 1946, more and more Chinese became members and the Society has grown in stature. Currently, the Society has over 350 local and overseas members.
The Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) is the world federation for philately. Based in Zürich, Switzerland, the FIP was founded on 18 June 1926.
Peter P. McCann, of Sarasota, Florida, is a philatelist who has supported the hobby of philately on a national scale. For his varied services to the American Philatelic Society (APS) over several decades, he was awarded in 2008 the Luff Award for outstanding service to the society.
A philatelic exhibition is an exhibition of stamps and postal history where stamp collectors (philatelists) compete for medals. The displays are shown in glass frames, and the exhibition is normally accompanied by stamp dealer bourses and post office stands where stamps and other philatelic items may be purchased.
The London 2010 International Stamp Exhibition, 8–15 May 2010 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, was a major international stamp exhibition that was granted FIP patronage.
Indipex 2011 was organized by India Post, Government of India in collaboration with the Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) under the patronage of the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP) and the auspices of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP).
The Philympia 1970 International Stamp Exhibition was an international stamp exhibition held under Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) patronage. It was held at the Empire Hall, Olympia, London from 18 to 26 September 1970. Special three-colour postmarks were used on each of the eight days of the exhibition. A 66 ft (20 m) octagonal tower of British stamps designed by Andrew Chadwick of Hulme Chadwick & Partners with graphics by Barry O'Dwyer, was the main feature.
London 2015 Europhilex was an international stamp exhibition held 13–16 May 2015 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. The exhibition has been granted patronage from the Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA) and the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).
Irwin Robert Weinberg was an American philatelist and stamp dealer who formed the syndicate of Pennsylvania businessmen who bought the British Guiana 1c magenta, the rarest stamp in the world.
Finlandia 2017 European Stamp Exhibition was an international stamp exhibition held 24–28 May 2017 at the Tampere Hall in Tampere, Finland. The exhibition was granted patronage from the Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA) and the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).
The World Stamp Championship Israel 2018 was an international stamp exhibition held from 27–31 May 2018 at the International Convention Centre in Jerusalem, Israel. The exhibition was granted patronage from the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).
Stampa is an annual Irish national level stamp exhibition and trade show currently held at the Griffith College Conference Centre, South Circular Road, Dublin, usually in October. The three-day event is organised by the council members of Stampa and has been held each year since 1972.
The Stockholmia 2019 Internationell Frimärksutställning was an international stamp exhibition held from 29 May–2 June 2019 at the Waterfront Congress Centre in Stockholm, Sweden. It was held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Philatelic Society London. The exhibition was granted patronage from the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).
London 2022 International Stamp Exhibition was an international stamp exhibition held from 19 to 26 February 2022 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. The exhibition was granted patronage from the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie and was recognised by the Federation of European Philatelic Associations.
Alfredo Frohlich is an American venture capitalist and philatelist who has won numerous medals at philatelic exhibitions for his postal history collections of Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. He is an accredited philatelic judge and has been a fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London since 2010. In 2021 he received the Luff Award of the American Philatelic Society.
