Philately

Quick Facts: Who was Philately?

Subject:

Philately

Known for:

The study and collection of postage stamps, postal history, and related philatelic items.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Philately (; fih-LAT-ə-lee) 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 word "philately" is the English transliteration of the French "philatélie", coined by Georges Herpin in 1864.

Career & Major Achievements

Herpin stated that stamps had been collected and studied for the previous six or seven years and a better name was required for the new hobby than timbromanie (roughly "stamp mania"), which was disliked. The alternative terms "timbromania", "timbrophily", and "timbrology" gradually fell out of use as philately gained acceptance during the 1860s. Herpin took the Greek root word φιλ(ο)- phil(o)-, meaning "an attraction or affinity for something", and ἀτέλεια ateleia, meaning "exempt from duties and taxes", to form the neologism "philatélie". As a collection field, philately appeared after the introduction of the postage stamps in 1840, but did not gain large attraction until the mid-1850s. In the U.S., early collectors of stamps were known as "stamp gatherers".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The United States Post Office Department re-issued stamps in 1875 due to public demand for 'old stamps', including those from before the American Civil War. Some authors believe that the first philatelist appeared on the day of the release of the world's first postage stamp, dated to May 6th, 1840, when the Liverson, Denby and Lavie London law office sent a letter to Scotland franked with ten uncut Penny Blacks, stamped with the postmark "LS.6MY6. 1840." In 1992, at an auction in Zürich, this envelope was sold for 690,000 francs. Already in 1846, cases of collecting stamps in large numbers were known in England. However, without reason for collection, stamps at this time were used for pasting wallpaper.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1840: 1840 Milestone — As a collection field, philately appeared after the introduction of the postage stamps in 1840, but did not gain large attraction until the mid-1850s.
2. 1846: 1846 Milestone — Already in 1846, cases of collecting stamps in large numbers were known in England.
3. 1864: 1864 Milestone — The word "philately" is the English transliteration of the French "philatélie", coined by Georges Herpin in 1864.
4. 1875: 1875 Milestone — The United States Post Office Department re-issued stamps in 1875 due to public demand for 'old stamps', including those from before the American Civil War.
5. 1992: 1992 Milestone — " In 1992, at an auction in Zürich, this envelope was sold for 690,000 francs.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Philately

True or False: “Did the term 'philately' originate from a Greek root meaning 'love of stamps'?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The term was coined using the Greek root φιλ(ο)- (philo-) meaning 'an attraction or affinity for something', but it did not specifically mean 'love of stamps'.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Philately