About Philately

Philately may be defined as the study and collecting of philately products, especially stamps. However, philately is more than a simple preference for beauty. Challenge, information, friendship and entertainment are just a few of the features characterizing one of the most popular hobbies in the world: philately. For more than 150 years, stamp collecting is one of the hobbies of royal families, movie stars, sports celebrities and other public persons. Philately is a highly personal hobby and its popularity is determined by the fact that it is flexible to the necessities of the collector.

What is a stamp?

Before the issue of the postmark, the costs of letter deliveries used to be paid by the consignee. The execution of the first postmarks has revolutionized the postal services, because the basic function of the stamps is represented by the advance payment of a postal service. In time, this function has diversified, but it is still based upon the same principle.

Postmarks are fulfilling three main roles: receipt with a certain value for the advance payment of a postal service, a means of celebration and promotion of the national patrimony and a collection piece. But, above all, the postmark is a true ambassador of the culture, the history and the civilization of mankind, since its shape and function provide it with the freedom to move around and the possibility to convey information throughout the world.

The stamp acquires value to the eye of the beholder, since it is at the same time a pleasurable sight, through the beauty of the design, of the colors and of the printing technique, and a study of the history, culture and civilization of mankind, which may reveal details about events, persons and places, but especially about the itinerary of an envelope towards its destination.

What is the first issue of Romanian postmarks?

The first stamp in the world was issued in Great Britain and it was called the Penny Black. Eighteen years later, on July 15th 1858, the first Romanian postmarks, called the Bull’s head, were issued. They were printed in Moldavia and they reproduced the heraldic sign from the state emblem. The first Romanian postmark is made up of four values:   27, 54, 81 and 108 dimes.

Stamp collecting has had a powerful impact on our country. This European hobby reached the Romanian country around 1865, during the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza. At that time, individual collectors or tobacco merchants used to sell our first postmarks:  the Bull’s head, the United Princedoms, or Cuza. The need for communication between the stamp collectors led to the organization of various philately societies and clubs, which had an intense activity especially at the beginning of the XX century.

Today, the stamp represents, next to the flag, anthem, emblem and coin one of our national symbols.