The Foundations of Philately

Plot

Part One: Historical
I- STAMP COLLECTING
II- ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF STAMP COLLECTING 5
III- DEVELOPMENT OF THE POSTAL SERVICE 13
IV- THE BRITISH POSTAL SYSTEM 17
V. THE AMERICAN POSTAL SYSTEM 26
VI- POST REFORM AND THE POSTAGE STAMP 33
Part Two: Practical
VII-WAYS AND MEANS OF COLLECTING 37
VIII- BUILDING A COLLECTION 44
IX. PHILATELIC LITERATURE 67
X. THE CARE OF A STAMP COLLECTION 78
Part Three: Technical
XI. HOW STAMPS ARE MADE: THE PROCESSES 107
XII- PAPER, WATERMARKS, SEPARATION, GUM AND VARIETIES 148
XIII. POSTAL MARKINGS 178
INDEX 189