Philately is a voyage to the world of knowledge This ebook. ‘Philately A Beginner’s Guide’ is an attempt of Mangaluru Postal Division to compile the basic related information on Philately and to make it available to the learners in nutshell This book throws light on various aspects of Philately, My Stamp, Philatelic Deposit Account, Special Cover etc We also made an effort to provide compiled information on various Commemorative Stamps and Special Covers pertaining to DK District This small effort will be fruitful if it is found useful by the readers and learners.
by Shriharsha N,
Senior Superintendent of Post Offices,
Mangalore Division.
Introduction to Philately
Philately is the study of postage stamps and postal history It also refers to the collection, appreciation and research activities on stamps and other philatelic products as a hobby or an investment Philatelic material includes
Mint stamps (unused stamps)
Commemorative Stamps
First Day Covers ( which are issued with every commemorative
stamp
Brochure (Information sheet accompanying each commemorative stamp
Collectors' Packs (Year wise)
Miniature/Souvenir sheets which are sometimes issued Postage stamp, which begun as a piece of paper in token of receipt of postage, has assumed additional functions It is a mode of commemorating, celebrating and promoting national heritage and events It plays a great role as an ambassador, a brand image of postal administration and a statement of sovereignty of a nation After independence, the medium of postage stamps was initially used to highlight the country's achievements in science and technology as well as its socio economic development by depicting themes like the Five Year Plans, Steel Plants, Dams etc Subsequently,
the country's rich cultural and natural heritage came to be showcased and many beautiful stamps were issued in thematic sets on art, architecture, crafts, maritime heritage, science, technology, defence and cinematic Great leaders of national and international stature have also been honoured with commemorative
stamps, the most prominent being Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation who has been honoured with commemorative and definitive stamps Personalities, who have made immense contributions in areas like painting, literature, science, music, social upliftment etc have also been honoured
A postage stamp is a receipt with a specific value to prepay postage A symbol of a nation s sovereignty' it is also a tool to celebrate and promote a nation's heritage lt value as a collectible item often exceeds its actual postal value
