What you can collect - Part 1: Stamps

First in a series of journals on the different type of popular items you can collect.

Postage stamps first came into existence in 1840 with the introduction of the ‘Penny Black’ in Great Britain. Before the Penny Black post was paid on receipt - the postage stamp was the solution to asking people to pre pay for postage. Much like the Internet created a global communications revolution postage stamps made the world significantly smaller and could well be considered one of the greatest inventions of all time.

 Such was the popularity of the Penny Black it wasn’t long before the rest of the world took note and a started producing their own postage stamps.

Stamps are believed to be the most widely collected items in the world, helped by the depth and variety of the subjects and the low financial entry point for the young. In recent years collecting stamps (philately) has become increasingly popular in the emerging economies where it is estimated that at least 1/3 of all the worlds stamp collectors are now based.

Stamps have always been used as miniature works of art and as such much effort has been put into making them visually striking. They were often used to showcase a country’s achievements, wildlife and scenery  - this makes them some of the most visually interesting items you can collect.

Postage stamps are the most valuable asset by weight and size and as a result it means an extensive collection doesn’t take up much space.

Stamps are particularly good for collections that are based on geography such as the British Empire.

Did you know – Britain is the only country that doesn’t put its name on their stamps and instead use the Monarchs profile.

Record Stamp Prices

British Guiana 1c Magenta - $9,480,000

Chinese stamp - £712,000

British stamp - £550,000

Indian stamp - £500,000