|
The Hobby: Philately is the exciting hobby of collecting stamps and stamp related items. They may be collected mint both used and unused, souvenir sheets, first day covers, philatelic cards, souvenir folders, maximum cards, stamp packs, booklets, postal stationery, posta cancellations and stamp artworks. Philatelists collect stamps for the sentimental value given to the work of art, theme, rarity of the stamp, educational reasons, shape, or as an investment. What to Collect: When you first start collecting stamps, you will probably want to collect all the stamps you can get. Later on you may decide to specialize in stamps of one country, or in stamps with a particular theme. You will then be able to exchange your extra stamps with other collectors and build up your own collection. Collecting every stamp issued is difficult so collectors decide which country or theme (flowers, animal, birds, sports, onions etc) they wish to concentrate on, collectors may also choose to collect mint unused stamps n various “arrangements” such as: - Books of four stamps: top right, top left, bottom right, or bottom left.
- Sheets of 100 stamps: 50 stamps On two panes of 25 stamps
- Gutter strips
- Traffic light blocks
- Numeric blocks
Types of stamps:
There are two types of stamp issues, namely:- Commemorative: These are issued to mark special events, occasions of
national or international importance, and also to cover themes of general interest. They are normally withdrawn from sale at the post office after six months, and after twelve months at the stamp bureau.
Definitive:
Definitive postage stamps are essential issued for postage purposes. The issue comprises of a full range of about sixteen denominations which are released every five years.
Where to Collect Stamps
- From mail received
- From friends and relatives
- By writing to friends and requesting them to send stamps on reciprocal basis or otherwise.
- By buying them from the post office
- By buying them from the stamp bureau Philatelic Services
Postal Corporation of Kenya has stamp bureaus at the headquarters in Nairobi and another at Mombasa to serve stamp collectors. Philatelic counters are also available in all Head Post Offices. Our services include:
- Sale of mint stamps, first day covers, souvenir folders, philatelic cards, stamp booklets
- Sale of philatelic albums and inserts
- Sale of annual stamp packs
- Sale of philatelic handbooks
- Deposit account service
- Mailing list service
Deposit Account:
A deposit account may be opened by depositing a certain amount, which should be adequate to cover requirements for at least two stamp issues. This provides simplified payment arrangements for the account holders by obviating the need to send a remittance each time an order is placed.
Mailing List Service:
This service allows the collector to receive information on stamps issued i.e. the theme, what is depicted and value. Thereafter the collectors will be able to order philatelic items specific to their preferences.
|
