The Philatelic Database – Archive of Stamp Collecting Articles

Originally published in “The Railway Magazine” in March 1898, this article gives a fascinating insight into railway activities and life in Japan at the close of the nineteenth century.

For many topical collectors who specialise in Birds on Stamps, here’s a video of the birds of Sri Lanka.

Given that we have just published a stamp profile on Laotian Butterflies, I thought this may interest our many topical collectors…

This attractive set of Laotian Butterflies was designed by by M. Leguay.

Recently I noticed two British New Guinea/Papua items offered in the Cherrystone Auction 20 Jan 2005. The question that these items gave rise to was about the status of these so-called proofs…

This is the first in a series of articles related to ships and shipping, originally appearing in “Shipping Wonders of the World” and published in 1935. Should any of our readers have any images of ships, especially mail ships, we should be pleased to publish them.

Adhesive stamps were adopted by the Philippine Islands in February 1854. The stamps were printed in Manila from locally engraved plates…

There is an extraordinary interest in all things philatelic, related to China. In this account taken from “The Postage Stamp” (Feb 1911), we have valuable information regarding the early postal rates and arrangements from 1834 onwards. Postal historians of China and Hong Kong will find much of interest in this article.

Introductory notes to the study of the stamps of the colony by noted philatelist Fred J Melville. First published by “The Postage Stamp” (October 1913).

This rather attractive air mail stamp depicting the garuda bird, engraved and recess printed by Waterlow, was first issued January 3, 1925 and continued until 1937 in two sets.

This fascinating postcard tied with a French Indo-China stamp and cancelled Tonkin 1904 depicts a view of the colonial Pho-Lu post office more than a century ago.

First published in “Stanley Gibbons Monthly Journal” (June 1, 1927) and written by Gordon A. Clayton.

This article first appeared in an English journal “The Postage Stamp” at the beginning of the First World War (1914). It should be of interest to all those interested in Japanese philately.

This excellent article was written by the noted philatelist Edward J. Nankivell and first published in “The Postage Stamp”, February 1908.

To mark the first anniversary of their public debut on 1st July 2007, Hong Kong Post issued stamps depicting an adorable pair of giant panda cubs.