STAMP COLLECTING
THE MOST WIDESPREAD HOBBY IN THE WORLD
Stamp collecting has always been a common and widespread hobby since the time when the different states decided to change radically the postal services introducing the postage stamp as a way to be paid in advance.

HOW TO COLLECT POSTAGE STAMPS

There are many different possibilities and opportunities.

People who simply want to enjoy themselves have many occasions to find postage stamps. Indeed, there are special packets with thousands of copies, from Italy and the whole world, also divided by theme.
However, it is also possible to collect all the stamps, unused and/or cancelled, issued or to be issued by a single state. Moreover, the limitation can be determined by a period of time, for example the Kingdom of Italy or the ex Colonies and Occupations. This kind of collecting is more demanding from an economical point of view, but it has the advantage of giving the possibility to divide by period, by ruler or area and also of choosing among several categories, for example used or unused stamps with or without hinge, bearing different cancellations,…
The postage stamps of '800 issued by the Italian States are also very interesting and can give many opportunities and much satisfaction.

PHILATELY AS AN INVESTMENT
WHY AND HOW

Is it possible to get a profit? CERTAINLY

However, a distinction is necessary according to the different periods, categories and peculiarities of each collection.
In any case, investment should be considered in a medium and long period, as the best results will be obtained having the chance of waiting a long time.

The world of investments is more and more connected to economic fluctuations which increase risk exposure, instability and doubts. Therefore, «alternative investments» are more and more important to have the chance to make a safe and sure choice, getting, at the same time, good returns. Investments in stamps satisfy these needs, they are not subject to taxation for private collectors or investors and they can be effected even starting from a small amount of money.
Franked letters and postage stamps have always been collected; anyway, with caution and following the advice of an expert on the subject, they are worthy of investment.
Fine examples and the «classic philately» rarities, that is the postage stamps and postal documents from 1840 (first stamp in Great Britain) up to the end of the nineteen-thirties, are particularly suitable for investments.
Suggested is the medium/long term investment, that is ten, twenty years. It is possible to obtain excellent returns even in a shorter period; anyway, in this case, the speculative impulse, like in any other field, can even bring to negative results.
What we propose for investment has been analysed for at least ten years; it is clearly possible to go back in time, but the results obtained could lead to too easy emotions.


Paolo Vaccari
Chairman of b.o.d. Vaccari s.r.l.