District 2450
Introduction to Philately in Egypt
Types of Philately
10 para
perf. 12
a block of 4 with double perforation variety
showing the 2 types ex. King Farouk.
  1. Traditional philately
    is the study of the technical aspects of stamp production and stamp identification, including:
    • The initial stamp design process.
    • The paper used (wove, laid, etc, and including watermarks).
    • The method of printing (engraving, typography, etc).
    • The gum.
    • The method of separation (perforation, rouletting).
    • Any overprints on the stamp.
    • The study of philatelic fakes and forgeries.


    A 1866 local 1st day cover bearing 10 para canceled by RETTA cds with Alessandria cds dated 1.1.1866 alongside. Only 2 covers known up till now recorded. ex. Antonini.
  2. Postal history
    concentrates on the use of stamps on mail. It includes the study of postmarks, post offices, postal authorities, postal rates and regulations and the process by which letters are moved from sender to recipient, including routes and choice of conveyance. A classic example is the 1866 local 1st day cover bearing 10 para canceled by RETTA cds with Alessandria cds dated 1.1.1866 alongside, highly prized by collectors.
    A 1866 Cover from ALEXANDRIA to COSTONTINOPLE bearing a bisected 2 piast. tied by
    P.V.R.E. ALESSANDRIA cds. dated 21.7.1867. (The only value in this issue which was officialy bisected as shown). ex. Antonini.

  3. Postal stationery
    philately studies stationery items, such as envelopes, postcards, aérogrammes and newspaper wrappers which have an imprinted stamp.

  4. Aerophilately
    is the branch of philately that specializes in the study of airmail. Philatelists have observed the development of mail transport by air from its beginning, and all aspects of airmail service have been extensively studied and documented by specialists.

  5. Thematic philately,
    also known as topical philately, is the study of what is depicted on the stamps. There are hundreds of popular subjects, such as birds, insects, sports, maps etc. Interesting aspects of topical philately include design mistakes, alterations and the stories of how particular images came to be used.

  6. Maximaphily
    is the study of postcards franked by a stamp showing the same subject as the postcard itself.

  7. Revenue philately
    is the study of stamps used to collect taxes or fees on documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, drugs and medicines, playing cards, hunting licenses and many other things.

  8. Youth philately
    • aged up to 13 years
    • aged 13 to 15 years
    • aged 16 to 18 years
    • aged 19 to 21 years (ages as on January 1st)

  9. Open class philately
    is the study of objects that look like stamps but aren't stamps. Examples include Easter and Christmas Seals, propaganda labels, and so forth.

  10. Philatelic literature
    documents the results of philatelic study and includes thousands of books and periodicals.

References: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,
Rotary Club of Geziret El Roda is willing to help, encourage and promote the Egyptian Philately among Rotarians and others
© Copyright Samir Amin Fikry