Collecting stamps, for some people, is more than just a hobby—it’s a lifestyle. In fact, the world has been witness to decades upon decades of stamp collecting.

Stamp paper comes in so many varieties that you would need at least a couple of days just to lint them. However a decent understanding of the basics of stamp paper is useful. Paper identification can be a critical factor if you intend to collect early issues of some countries.

Even before many philatelists thought up the hobby of stamp collecting, it is rather obvious that the act of exchanging letters through a centralized system that would recognize stamps as payment to cover carriage costs would have to be put in place.

The internet has changed how people send mail. Until such time that technology finds a way to transport packages in the same manner, stamps will still be used to get documents and parcels from one destination to another.

Stamp Collecting may start on a simple gift of stamps given to another person. This can give him the interest in becoming a stamp collector. He could also start collecting by considering it as a hobby.

San Antonio, Texas, is just one of the many places worldwide that is hooked on the more-than-century-old craze of philately—the study of stamps, and stamp collecting. It had its beginnings alongside the national consolidation of stamp collectors and enthusiasts.

On May 7, 1945 Field Marshall Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender on behalf of Germany’s military forces. The signing took place at General Dwight Eisenhower’s headquarters in Rheims, France. This event marked the end of Hitler’s ambitions.

You may already be familiar with the types of magnifying glasses that one normally associates with Sherlock Holmes. This would be a round convex glass or plastic lens attached to some type of handle.

In mid-December 2008 the Media repeatedly used the term “Ponzi Scheme” to describe Bernard L Madoff’s investment scandal. Few people are even aware of what the original Ponzi scheme was. The original scheme is named after Charles Ponzi, an Italian immigrant.

Identifying a stamp can sometimes be a tricky process. Even some of the smallest details can make a big difference. There are two Christmas stamps that feature a picture of Santa Claus on a roof. The only difference between the two is that one of the stamps shows an extra brick in the picture.