Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects. It is an area of philately, which is the study (or combined study and collection) of stamps. It has been one of the world's most popular hobbies since the late nineteenth century with the rapid growth of the postal service,[1] as a stream of new stamps was produced by countries that sought to advertise their distinctiveness through their stamps.
- ^ Vickers, Marcia (15 December 1996). "Delivery Isn't Guaranteed, but Stamps Are Turning Profits". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 December 2009.