Many of us have objects dear to our hearts that do not have much material value. And some people collect such things for memory.

One of the types of collecting is philately. This is a type of collecting dealing with the study of postal history and everything related to it.

Philatelic collections may consist of postage stamps, stamps, labels, stamps and cancellations on postal envelopes and postcards.

Historical digression

The world's first postage stamp, created by the Englishman Rowland Hill, was issued in 1840.

It was from this time that stamp collecting was born.

At that time, mail was the only way to communicate, so collectors very quickly replenished their collections with new items.

After only ten years, a specialized issue of beautiful, colorful postage stamps on various topics was established.

What is now called philately originally had a different name - markomania (or timbromania, from tembre - postage stamp).

And only later, the Frenchman Georges Erpin proposed calling stamp collecting philately.

The term "philately" means "the love of studying stamps".

Indeed, such a name suited this occupation much better, because at that time it was quite difficult to collect even the smallest collection of postage stamps.

This required painstaking work and extensive knowledge of the nuances in the subjects of this area. In addition, the search for a rare specimen in the collection took a very long time.

Purchasing a new postage stamp for the collection, the collectors were interested in the details of its issue, the event depicted on it.

If a country was depicted on the stamp, collectors researched its history and geography.

The first existing stamp collection in the world was owned by the engraver Munsen from Paris.

By the way, even then there was a demand for stamp collections, so, in 1855, the first collection of stamps was successfully sold.

The popularity of stamps rapidly developed, and at the end of the 19th century, museums of postage stamps began to be created. The exposition of such museums, as a rule, contained collections of stamps of some state or stamps of a certain direction.

At the same time, the intensive development of both Russian and Ukrainian philately began. Types of stamp collections Firstly, stamps were divided according to content (air, hasty, simple).

Such brands differed from each other, both in purpose and in cost. Secondly, the stamps were divided according to size (miniature, giant, etc.) and geometric shape (rectangular, triangular, square).

Some philatelists collect stamps on a regional basis, such as collections of stamps from a particular country or region. Other collectors like to collect stamps depicting animals, plants, birds, cultural developments, architecture or automobiles.

Collections of stamps dedicated to certain memorable world events are called commemorative.

Today, they also include art collections of stamps. The most valuable are complete collections of a series of stamps and stamps with a small circulation issue.

Achievements in philately From an innocent childhood hobby for many people, collecting stamps becomes an occupation for life. And there are a lot of such people.

For lovers of philately, exhibitions and auctions of world and national level are constantly held.

At such events, everyone can acquire the rarest stamps.

The development of philately does not stop even despite the fact that the postal service is close to extinction today, and, accordingly, the direct purpose of the postage stamp is depreciating.

Today, all associations and national unions of philatelists in more than 80 countries of the world are headed by the International Federation of Philately, created at a congress in the capital of France back in 1926.

Among the regular participants in exhibitions and auctions dedicated to philately, there are also our compatriots-philatelists.

They are also members of the International Association of Philatelists. Russia publishes catalogs with new postage stamps and rare items of world significance, publishes magazines and newspapers about philately.

The World Philatelic Exhibition awards the best philatelists with a gold medal. For a stamp collector, receiving this medal is commensurate with winning the Olympic Games, because it can only be received by the most talented and diligent stamp collector who has proved it with his own efforts.

Philately - a hobby or a profitable investment? The sale of some postage stamps can bring in more than the sale of rare paintings or jewelry.

That is why for some people philately is not only a hobby, but also a way to invest money.

Investing in philately means making a super-profitable deal.

But for this the collector needs a very high level of professionalism.

If you managed to get a very rare copy of the brand, you can profitably sell it for fabulous sums.

Auctions are organized in different parts of the world, where you can get several thousand dollars for a stamp, and for an exclusive collection - an amount that goes over a million dollar mark.

Often, the search for one necessary stamp becomes the meaning of a lifetime for many philatelists, because philately is not just a hobby of collecting stamps, it is a whole world, because a collector studies history, geography, world art and science.

It also provides an opportunity to communicate with a variety of interesting people, to establish contacts with family members and your child. And for some, this occupation becomes a profitable investment.

Philatelists do not just collect stamps as such, but within the framework of the chosen direction, they study the totality of postage marks, study the history and development of mail.

Enthusiastic people from early childhood seek and collect stamps, ranging from the most common to rare and expensive. Sometimes, for one copy, philatelists can give a fortune. This hobby can be a good investment.

A postage stamp is a special sign issued by the postal departments to facilitate the fee for sending letters: the stamp means the fact of payment for the service. When collectors began to buy up these small pieces of paper with ribbed edges, the stamps even began to be issued in separate series. For example, in honor of holidays or historical events and famous people.

Many stamps appear in limited editions. We present to your attention the most expensive postage stamps in the world. Many of them are equivalent to buying an apartment or a car, some can only be found in private collections. The price of a stamp is determined by its condition: if it has already been used (it has a postmark on it) or has been damaged for other reasons, its value is reduced by several times. Whole and clean stamps are valued more than others.

Mauritius

One of the most expensive brands is Mauritius. It was printed on the island of Mauritius back in 1847. But a mistake was made during printing, so the stamp became very rare.

Experts made a mistake in the inscription. They printed Post Office instead of Post Paid. Only 28 such marriages are known. Today, for such a stamp at auction, you can get about 20 million US dollars.

holy grail

This rare stamp features an image of American politician, diplomat and inventor Benjamin Franklin. There are only two such stamps in the world: one is kept in the New York Public Library, the other is in the private collection of an unnamed person. According to modest estimates of experts, the price of one mail copy can reach up to 30 million dollars.

Yellow swedish stamp

The yellow Swedish stamp, printed in 1855, is one of the most valuable in the world. The stamp was supposed to be green, but by mistake the series was painted yellow and released into circulation.

In 1996, the Swedish yellow stamp or "Yellow crackkilling" was purchased for $2.3 million.

Jenny

There is a block of four stamps. They depict the Curtis-Jenny airplane. But the value of a brand is in its misprint. In the party, the airplane turned out to be upside down, so such copies are valued higher than the originals.

In 1954, all stamps were purchased for 18.2 thousand dollars. In 2017, their price is $3 million.

Tiflis stamp

Original and expensive brands have been found since the time of the Russian Empire. For example, the Tiflis stamp. It was printed in 1857.

About philately

To date, only three copies have survived - they all belonged to the jeweler and philatelist Faberge. Now they are in private collections and it is not so easy to even look at them.

Hawaiian missionaries

This is the first stamp that was released in Hawaii. They appeared in 1851 and were called "Hawaiian Missionaries". Their peculiarity is that they are poorly printed.

Due to poor and too thin paper, today they are considered the most expensive postage stamps in the world. Only 16 copies have survived to this day. Each costs a fortune - about half a million dollars.

Benjamin Franklin Z Grill

The rarest postage stamp in the United States. There are only two of them in the world. In 1988, a Benjamin Franklin Z Grill worth just one cent was sold in the US for a record $1.5 million.

Penny Black

Penny Black or "Black Penny" is the first official postage stamp, on the reverse side of which glue was applied. She was released in 1840.

She made a real revolution in the world of postage stamps. The stamp is not considered rare, but its cost is 2 million dollars.

British Guyana One Cent Black on Magenta

The world saw this stamp in 1856. It is printed on magenta low-quality paper in black ink.

Audrey Hepburn

You can get good money for postage stamps of our time. For example, the most expensive modern stamp is a German postal charity stamp depicting actress Audrey Hepburn with a cigarette in her mouth and wearing a wide-brimmed hat. It appeared in 2001, but was not officially released into the mail circulation.

This stamp was supposed to be included in a series that was dedicated to actors: Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Jean Gabin, Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman. Initially, 14 million Audrey Hepburn stamps were printed. However, the print run was canceled as the actress's son took over the publishing rights. He had to dislike the fact that his mother was with a cigarette. The circulation was destroyed, except for 30 copies. They went to museums and archives, and their cost is about 94 thousand dollars.

Louis Armstrong

A stamp by legendary trumpeter and composer Louis Armstrong was published in 1995 in the Legends of American Music: Jazz Musicians series. The musician was also a pioneer of jazz singing in the scat style - improvising with the voice as a musical instrument. In addition to Armstrong, the series included vocalist Ella Fitzgerald.

Philatelists also replenish their collections with Soviet stamps, the most expensive of which we will tell you in the material below.

The Blue Gymnast was released for the 40th anniversary of the Soviet circus. But it did not go into circulation due to disagreements about which year should be considered the year of the foundation of the circus: 1920, 1921 or 1934.

Many years later, they decided to designate the date 1919, so the stamp was released only for the 60th anniversary of the circus in 1979. After that, she got to the philatelists. At an auction in 2008, she went under the hammer for 13 million 800 thousand dollars.

Limonka

Almost the most expensive brand of the USSR. Lemonka was released in 1925, becoming the first of the definitive "Gold Standard" issue. Only 100 copies are known. When printing the stamp, the perforating machine broke down, but the rest of the denominations had already been produced.

First, identify your interests. Since the middle of the 19th century, about a million stamps have been issued in the world, absolutely all countries have issued them, as well as many temporary postal administrations of military and revolutionary times, and private postal services. The pleasure of "embracing the immensity" can only be afforded by people with broad financial opportunities and a lot of free time, as well as "state collectors", such as the President of the United States and the Queen of Great Britain (it's nice to feel in such a company, isn't it?). At the start, you need to set limits on your strengths and interests. And do not be afraid to start small, expanding the scope of your collection is always easier than narrowing it down, realizing that the task is overwhelming. There are two main types of stamp collections: chronology (a collection of stamps from a particular country) and thematic (a collection of stamps from different countries on a particular topic). In our country, the most popular are domestic brands (Russia, the USSR, the Russian Empire), as well as brands of countries historically and culturally connected with us (all the republics of the former Soviet Union, neighboring countries). The most popular topics of philately are nature (flora and fauna), space, transport, art, sports, outstanding people, history.

Second: choose the sources of receipt of stamps in the collection and the place for consultations. Happy is the philatelist who has the opportunity to regularly replenish the collection by visiting several reliable shops in his city. If you live in a big city, visit philatelic shops, the local Society of Philatelists, talk to sellers and specialists. Feel where you were most comfortable, where you were served in the best way and offered not only the most complete range of brands, but also consulting services (answers to questions, expertise, library, etc.). If there are no collection stores in your city, it doesn’t matter, the quality service of a reputable online store today will almost completely replace real communication. And, of course, pay attention to the range of items offered to you for collecting and literature (primarily catalogs of stamps), which you will be guided by when forming your collection.

Third: decide on the format of exposure and storage of the collection. As long as your collection consists of several dozen stamps, the philatelist's initial set will be enough for you: a stockbook (stamp album), tweezers and a magnifying glass. As your hobby develops, you acquire interesting and expensive exhibits, you expand your collection with other philatelic collectibles besides stamps (postcards, envelopes, etc.), you will need universal albums. Today, the question “where to buy or order the right album” is easily solved, the question “which album to choose” is much more important. Talk about it in the store you like, look at samples, take your time choosing one or another system for storing and exhibiting the collection (stamps placed in an unsuitable album can be rearranged later, but not everyone enjoys this process).

Buy your first few stamps. You can start a collection with stamps purchased from other collectors or in specialized stores, look for options on the Internet. At this stage of collecting, the number and variety of stamps is important. Do not focus on one type of stamps, buy different ones. You can buy not individual brands, but small collections at once - so, of course, cheaper (most often they are even sold by weight), but, most likely, the stamps there will be of the same type.

Buy stamp tongs. Stamp tongs are often called tweezers - in fact, these two tools are very similar to each other, but the differences between them are rather big. Tongs, unlike tweezers, grab the paper more carefully, and due to the absence of sharp ends, they practically do not injure it. The pliers are so thin that they can grip the stamp even from a flat surface. Stamp tongs can vary in length and weight, so choose one that fits your hand as comfortably as possible. Some models have bent ends, some have pointed tips. Don't buy pliers with too sharp ends: when you work with stamps (especially wet ones), you risk damaging the paper.

The use of stamp tongs is mandatory: in this way you will protect your collection not only from physical damage, but also from the moisture that is contained on the surface of the skin.

Sort your stamps. Decide for yourself on what basis it is best for you to sort your stamps. Most often, collectors group stamps according to the countries in which they were made. In addition, it is also necessary to know the home country of the brand in order to make it easier to find information about the brand later. Another equally popular way of sorting stamps is to separate stamps according to the objects depicted on them. This is the so-called thematic collecting (thematic philately). Images on the stamps are dedicated to a variety of topics: butterflies, famous people, aircraft, various sports. In many countries this fact is kept in mind when developing new brands. Stamps can also be sorted by color or shape. Show your imagination and make an exclusive sorting of your exhibits!

Think about where you will store the stamps. It is unlikely that your household will like it if you want to keep your treasure on a common dining table. Therefore, you must take care of the proper shelter for your "wards". So, for example, you can buy several envelopes, where you put the sorted stamps, the envelopes should be signed. This method of storage has a significant drawback: every time you need to find one stamp, you will have to pour the entire contents of the envelope onto the table. If you have already accumulated a sufficient number of exhibits - just right to buy album for stamps.

Albums for stamps can have both stapled and inserted sheets. The albums also differ in size. It is easiest to work with albums that have insertable sheets. When you buy such an album for yourself - give preference to albums with three mounts - they are the easiest to find on sale.

• Sheets in albums for stamps are made of soft cardboard, the top of the page is covered with a transparent film. The film is attached to the sides, the bottom is glued. Thus, a wide pocket is obtained, where it is convenient to insert stamps. The cardboard acts as a background and is black or white. Black cardstock sheets are generally better quality, but they are also more expensive. Yes, and stamps (since they are most often printed on white paper) look better on a black background.
• Albums, the pages of which are made of manila cardboard (similar to that from which paper folders are made), are also very popular among philatelists. The pages in such an album have separate pockets for stamps, but the disadvantage of such storage is that the lower part of the stamp is not visible. Although such albums are durable and inexpensive. It is convenient to store repetitive stamps in such albums.

The easiest way to insert stamps into an album and to get them out of there is with the help of tongs.

Swap stamps. After you sort the stamps, you will most likely find a few duplicate stamps or stamps that you are not interested in. Of course, unnecessary copies can be thrown into the trash, or you can dispose of them more reasonably. Ask around classmates, colleagues, relatives, and you will surely identify among them philatelists with the same problem. Most likely, you have different brands repeated, and this gives you a chance not only to get rid of an unnecessary exhibit, but also to acquire a new, more valuable one for you. At this stage, since you do not have sufficient knowledge of the market value of each particular brand, you will have to change brand for brand. True, you must remember that the stamp that is in the best condition is still more valuable.

Visit the library. The best way to learn more about stamp collecting is to try to learn from the experience and wisdom of other philatelists who have described their hobby in a book. Relevant books can be found in almost any library.

Buy the necessary equipment.

• magnifying glass: Almost the most important tool for a philatelist is a magnifying glass, because only with its help it is possible to identify stamps that differ only in one line or one point. Magnifying glasses differ in size, weight, power, some models have additional features, such as backlight. There are glasses that are placed on a special stand, so they can be used without hands.

The most expensive stamp was issued in the 19th century; it is not only a postal sign that confirms payment for delivery services, but also a collector's item. Since then, it has changed several times appearance, and all stamps put into circulation are systematized in catalogs.

The auction evaluation and sale of the most expensive brand was carried out in 2008, and the amount was 700 thousand US dollars. Her seal was made in 1857 for the post of the city of Tiflis. It depicts the coat of arms of the city - a double-headed eagle, and the nominal value of the sign was 6 kopecks. It was bypassed for 10 years, but only three copies survived until the First World War.

Stamps have been used to pay for the delivery of postal messages since 1832, and since then they have been a security with a denomination of the cost of sending. The history of its serial production and use was preceded by several projects. One of them belonged to Lieutenant K. Treffenberg in 1832, and two years later the publisher D. Chalmers printed a test batch. They began to stick on an envelope, the cost of sending which depended on the weight, and not the distance of delivery to the addressee.

The idea of ​​sticking a special sign confirming the payment of postage belongs to the English postmaster, Sir Rowland Hill. Actually, he developed a sketch of the world's first postage stamp, which was printed in England and went into circulation in May 1840. The requisites and insignia of the country issuing them were established much later by the Universal Postal Union.

According to the standards, letters with the name of the country that prints it are applied to the stamp in Latin. Due to the fact that the United Kingdom is the first in the issue of postage marks, it was exempted from applying a distinctive sign to the document.

Stamps are not only an indispensable attribute of forwarding messages, but also collectibles, and the science of studying the history of postal circulation, communications, signs of payment for forwarding services is called philately. Its history begins with the “black penny” stamp, denominated in 1 penny with the image of Queen Victoria. It is made in black, which determined the name.

The first postage stamps of Tsarist Russia

Following the UK, postal signs began to be used in other countries. The first postage stamp with a face value of 10 kopecks. with smooth edges in Russia was printed at the end of 1857. It came into use early next year. It depicted the coat of arms of the state and the mantle. The price of a canceled stamp today is 275-700 US dollars, and a clean one - 12.5-20 thousand dollars.

The first stamps of the USSR

The first postage stamp of the Soviet state was printed in November 1918. Its name was determined by the image "Hand with a sword cutting the chain." The author of the sketch belongs to R. G. Zarinsh. The stamp was in circulation for 4 years. The auction price for perforated samples with a face value of 1 and 2 kopecks was 71,875 US dollars.

The souvenir block with 4 stamps printed on it was published in a limited edition on a sheet of thick paper. Hence the name Cardboard. It was dedicated to the opening of the first exhibition of philatelists in Moscow, which took place in 1932. They were printed only 525 copies, 25 of which contained the inscription "To the best drummer of the All-Union Society of Philatelists." The only surviving copy with a nominal overprint was sold at the Cherrystone auction for $776,250. The cost of the stamp without overprinting is $35,000.

Rare postage stamps of the USSR are of great interest to collectors. In the specialized market, their number is limited and replenished in most cases at the expense of private collections. As a result, the price of rare specimens increases. Collectible stamps are a means of reliable investment. Rare stamps of the USSR are no exception to obtaining financial benefits.

Brand Blue Gymnast

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the union circus, a stamp was issued under the name "Blue Gymnast". Uncertainty regarding the date was the reason for the cancellation of its release. Many years later, in 1979, the stamp was printed for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the circus. The Blue Gymnast stamp, which has not been put into circulation, is a philatelic rarity. It was sold under the hammer in 2008 at an auction for 13.8 thousand US dollars.

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Mark Limonka

"Limonka" is the most valuable stamp of the USSR. It belongs to the Gold Standard series. She was released in 1925. It is the rarest in its raw form. As a result of a technical malfunction of the punching machine, the 15-kopeck stamp was not printed. Insufficient circulation determined its current value, which ranges from 15 to 20 thousand dollars.

Unissued rare stamps

Due to political considerations, in 1959 a stamp was not put into circulation for the 250th anniversary of the historic Poltava victory in 1709. The circulation was completely withdrawn from circulation and destroyed. The cost of preserved 40 stamps ranges from 10-20 thousand dollars per copy. For the same reason, the stamp "Flight of Peace and Friendship" was not issued, the auction price of which is 28,750 thousand dollars.

Each stamp of the USSR is included in a special catalog, which contains their detailed description, history and photographs.

Overprinted stamps

Among them are valuable pieces with a history that makes them special. The stamp "Levanevsky with an overprint" belongs to the series "Rescue of the Chelyuskinites". Issued in 1935, copies contain a portrait of the pilot S. A. Levanevsky and an overprint “Flight from Moscow to San Francisco through the North. Pole 1935". Typographical errors on the stamp in the form of an inverted overprint and a small "f" determined their super value as a rarity on two stamp sheets (50 pieces on each).

Stamps "Consular fifty kopecks" were intended to send official mail by order of the Embassy of the RSFSR in Germany. The stamp has a red text overprint - "Air Mail R.S.F.S.R.". Due to disagreement with the management, it was withdrawn from circulation. In this series, the most expensive stamp is the one with a face value of 50 kopecks and an overprint of “1200 germ. stamps." Consular stamps of the RSFSR of 1922 are rare due to an error in the inscription. One of the sheets contains the inscription “24 germ. marks" instead of "brand", which determines the high value.

For air mail in 1923, the first series of 4 multi-colored stamps was made, which depicted the Fokker F-111 aircraft. The value of these stamps lies in the applied "thick" number "5" on one sheet from the total circulation. In September 2008, she was sold for $86,250. A USSR stamp titled "2nd International Polar Year" was printed in 1932. They were intended to send air mail from Franz Josef Land to Arkhangelsk. The difference in the perforation of a small part of the circulation from the main issue determines the high cost of the stamp.