Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps
and related objects, such as covers (envelopes or packages with stamps on them).
It is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of
collectors ranging up to 20 million in the United States alone.
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, but the creation of
a large or comprehensive collection generally requires 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.
Some collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare stamps, have
taken to philatelic investment. Rare stamps are among the most portable of
tangible investments, and are easy to store.
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