Stamp collecting, also known as philately, has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Belk (1995) describes collectors as individuals who passionately search for unique but essentially useless items, such as obsolete postage stamps. The hobby has been an established pastime since the introduction of the Penny Black, the world’s first prepaid adhesive stamp issued in the U.K. in 1840 (Johnson, 1920). Initially, the hobby's first participants were women and children who took an aesthetic interest in stamps. However, as stamps became marketplace commodities and trading became a more important aspect of collecting, women and girls were replaced by men and boys. Stamp collecting first became a fad in the 1860s and gave rise to ‘‘an intense market-based subculture’’ (Gelber, 1992). The earliest professional dealers had already set up business, and periodicals and catalogues started to emerge. This hobby continues to thrive today, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Philate.ly is embarking a journey to keep this ecosystem alive with digital innovations. We are now inviting likeminded individuals to join us as editors and contributors for our digital portal. 

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This is a project supported by a grant to promote the use of digital standard in Art ID Standard