Editing Stamp collecting (section)

== Collecting ==
[[File:Jongen bezig met een postzegelverzameling, Bestanddeelnr 252-8770.jpg|thumb|A young stamp collector, 1954.]]
Stamp collecting is generally accepted as one of the areas that make up the wider subject of [[philately]], which is the study of stamps. A philatelist may, but does not have to, collect stamps. It is not uncommon for the term ''philatelist'' to be used to mean a stamp collector. Many casual stamp collectors accumulate stamps for sheer enjoyment and relaxation without worrying about details. The creation of a large or comprehensive collection, however, generally requires some philatelic knowledge and will usually contain areas of philatelic studies.

Postage stamps are often collected for their historical value and geographical aspects and also for the many subjects depicted on them, ranging from ships, horses, and birds to kings, queens and presidents.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.learnaboutstamps.org/chapterone.html |title=What is stamp collecting? |publisher=Learn About Stamps |year=2010 |access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref>

Sales of postage stamps are an important source of income for some countries whose stamp issues may exceed their postal needs, but have designs that appeal to many stamp collectors.

[[File:Stamp Falkland Islands 1891 0.5p.jpg|right|thumb|[[Queen Victoria]]'s profile was a staple on 19th century stamps of the [[British Empire]], shown here on a half-penny stamp of the Falkland Islands, 1891.]]