Why Stamps?

philately noun

: the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps : stamp collecting 

I collect postage stamps. Newly released, vintage, postmarked, local, international, doesn't matter—if I like the design, I'll add it to my collection: a green leatherbound album filled with generations worth of stamps. But why? What draws me to this hobby? Worry not... I'll tell you.☺

First and foremost, supporting the postal system is cool. The rise of the digital age means that post offices are receiving less funding than ever before, and while I can't deny the importance of digital communication, "snail mail" has been a cornerstone of society for centuries and continues to provide a necessary foundation for the exchange of goods & information.

Stamps are used around the world to frank mail and prove payment of postage. Because every country has a unique postal system, stamps reflect the cultural values, practices, and interests of their country of origin. The United States Postal Service (USPS), for example, has a catalog of stamps with subjects ranging from prominent political figures and National Parks to Spongebob and baby animals.

Take the USA Philatelic Catalog, for example. A quick glance through the current collection provides cultural context for what is considered relevant and “honorable”. Stamps depict how a country hopes to present itself, and that image shifts constantly in response to politics, pop culture, natural events, and more. In the United States, stamp designs are chosen and coordinated by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), a select group serving the Postmaster General with alleged expertise in areas of public interest, including science, art, technology, history, sports, and more.

Stamp designs are developed 2-3 years in advance of release and are designed by artists, designers, illustrators, and photographers contracted with USPS Stamp Development. The design process is rigorous: approximately 25 subjects are assigned to artists each year, few of whom are new to the postal service. Designs are required to "celebrate the American experience" (CSAC).

I have no interest in the honor of the nation (there is nothing to honor about imperialism), but it's fascinating to see how cultural perspectives have shifted throughout the years. Still, when examining stamp designs, it's integral to remember who is developing them and why. Consider which voices are excluded from the process and how this encourages disparities in power. There's a lot to unpack around this topic, but I digress. That will be for another day.

More simply, I like postage stamps because they're miniature works of art that allow me to correspond with my loved ones. There's so much history to be learned through the study of their design, and the topics are endless. But I think what I’ll always like most about stamps is that I can stick a picture of Spongebob on an envelope and know that he’s what allows my letter to reach a friend over a thousand miles away—all while supporting the livelihood of postal workers across the country.