Philately may be defined as the study and collecting of philatelic 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 across the world: philately. For more than 150 years, stamp collecting is one of the hobbies of the 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 addressee. The execution of the first postage stamps 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.
The postage stamps fulfill 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 postage stamp is a true ambassador of the culture, the history and the civilization of mankind, since its shape and function provide it with 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 both 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, as it 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 issue of Romanian postage stamps, called the Bull’s head, was issued. It was printed in Moldavia and reproduced the heraldic sign from the state emblem.
The first Romanian postage stamps issue is made up of four values: 27, 54, 81 and 108 dimes.
Stamp collecting had a powerful impact on our country. This European hobby reached the Romanian territory around 1865, during the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza. At that time, the individual collectors or tobacco merchants used to sell our first postage stamps: the Bull’s head, the United Principăalities, or Cuza. The need for communication between the stamp collectors led to them organizing in various philatelic societies and clubs, which had an intense activity especially at the beginning of the XX century.
Nowadays, the stamp represents, next to the flag, anthem, emblem and coin one of our national symbols.