World Post and Stamp Day. Stamps are a testament to history and a modern hobby.
October 9th is World Post and Stamp Day, commemorating the signing of the Berne Treaty, which established the Universal Postal Union. To mark the occasion, events are being held around the world to promote philately as a hobby.
Philately, or stamp collecting, has its origins in the 19th century. The first stamp, the famous Penny Black, was issued in 1840 in Great Britain, while the first stamp in Poland appeared in 1860. Initially, philately was popular primarily among children and teenagers, but over time it became a full-fledged hobby for adults as well.
Postage stamps promote values and themes related to the history, culture, and achievements of individual countries. They commemorate important anniversaries, historical events, outstanding figures, as well as natural, scientific, sporting, and religious themes. These small works of art can sometimes impress with their graphics, as impressive as full-size paintings. Philately is a pursuit for true enthusiasts and professionals who, after years of collecting, can monetize their passion.
The most expensive stamps in the world
Philately reached its peak in the 20th century, when collectors from around the world began collecting rare stamps. Stamps from the so-called Classical Period (lasting until 1914, and according to some collectors, until 1939) were exceptionally prized, and today some command exorbitant prices.
The world's most expensive stamp is the British Guiana 1c Magenta from 1856, which sold for a record $9.48 million. This only known example depicts a sailing ship, and its rarity makes it a coveted collector's item. Another extremely valuable stamp is the Mauritius Post Office from 1847, which sold for $1.67 million. Its value was significantly affected by a printing error, as "Post Office" was printed instead of "Post Paid."
In Poland, the rarest stamps, especially those with printing errors, can fetch prices in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of złoty, depending on whether they are sold at auction houses or online. The older the stamp, the higher its value.
One of the most valuable Polish stamps is the first Polish stamp, issued on January 1, 1860, during the partition period. This stamp depicts the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland – the double-headed Russian eagle with the White Eagle on its breast. The stamp bears the inscription "Za łot kop. 10," meaning it cost 10 kopecks and allowed for the sending of letters weighing up to half a łut (12.7 grams) within the borders of the Kingdom of Poland and the Russian Empire. It was withdrawn from circulation on April 13, 1865, when the autonomy of the Kingdom of Poland was abolished, and unused stamps were destroyed. In 2018, one of these rare stamps fetched $40,700 (over 150,000 złoty) at an auction at Christoph Gaertner Auction House.
In Polish philately, the so-called blue 10-krona coin from the 1919 Kraków issue, featuring a black overprint reading "Poczta Polska," is also exceptionally valuable. Only 440 copies of this stamp were printed, and its value today could reach up to 70,000 złoty. One of the copies, offered at the Cherrystone auction in New York in 2009 with a starting price of $30,000, sold for $55,000 (approximately 170,000 złoty). According to Fischer Publishing, its 2014 catalog value was half a million złoty.
Stamps from the communist era are also highly regarded, especially the 1956 "Boxers' Retreat," issued to commemorate the Melbourne Olympics. A printing error increased the value of the entire series, which reportedly consisted of only 14 stamps. Today, they fetch prices of up to tens of thousands of złoty.
New trends in philately: Crypto stamps
In recent years, philately has undergone a significant transformation, combining traditional stamp collecting with modern technologies. A breakthrough in this field is the Cryptostamps issued by Poczta Polska. This project combines physical postage stamps with digital equivalents in the form of NFT tokens, allowing for the collection, exchange, and sale of stamps in both traditional and digital forms.
Crypto stamps are distinguished by a number of unique features appreciated by traditional philatelists, including metallic ink, UV ink, and microtext. Poczta Polska also offers limited editions, such as Crypto Envelopes and Crypto Folders, and some stamps are available exclusively in digital format. From the outset, the project has promoted a new dimension of philately, based on Web 3 technology, attracting a younger generation interested in modern solutions.
A thriving community has developed around the Cryptostamp, which has contributed to the establishment of the Polish Cryptophilatelists Association, which supports new initiatives in this field. The success of the Cryptostamps is also reflected in the rapid sell-out of limited editions, demonstrating the growing interest in this form of philately. This opens up new opportunities for collectors, indicating that philately is entering a new, digital era.