Stamps are a significant part of British history in particular (out of the many countries worldwide) with the first postage stamp with one of the highest estimate valuations having been introduced way back in 1840. The Penny Black – an adhesive stamp – was the first of its kind worldwide to be introduced into the postal system and featured Queen Victoria’s profile.
Where does the word philately come from?
The history of the word philately is of Greek origin meaning a combination of the words ‘love’ and ‘tax-free’ which was an expression of post that was delivered free of charge to the recipient and which was therefore not obliged to be taxed.
What you can expect at a stamp auction
If you are an avid stamp collector and are looking for rare collectable stamps, then attending a public auction in London could provide the opportune viewing environment for you to be able to place bids for the valuable stamps you are searching for.
The same applies if you are considering parting with your valuable stamp collection and want to be sure that you will be getting the best return on the stamps you auction. You should therefore consider partnering with an experienced auctioneer who has extensive knowledge about the history of stamps and the stamp auctions process.