Philately
Philately is the collection of stamps and other related items as a hobby or an investment. Philatelic materials include postage stamps, revenue stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, postal cards, first day covers, souvenir sheets, and similar material relating to postal or fiscal history.
Philately was triggered by the first issue of postage stamps in 1840. Postage stamps are used to portray the nation’s status, history, culture, topography, fauna and flora, accomplishments and success, adherence to international bodies, industry and tourist appeal as well as other historic subjects.
The stamps used within a country educate and enhance its own citizens through promoting awareness of issues such as the preservation of fauna and flora, heritage, and history. Stamps are therefore an integral part of the cultural fabric of a country, and themes should be chosen and portrayed well, with high-quality production.
Philately Products
Our philatelic products are very unique, educative, attractive and interesting with real taste of Malawi’s heritage. We have stamps all displaying our national heritage.
It is very advantageous to collect stamps of a nation since all the issues can be assembled at a reasonable cost. Due to the rarity or high cost of certain issues, this is not always possible with countries that have issued stamps for more than a century. Africa, where many former colonies gained their independence during 1960’s, is particularly a fertile field for collectors.
Nevertheless, Malawi has established a pattern that distinguishes its stamps. Instead of long thematic sets, those of Malawi are usually limited to five stamps. Moreover these stamps are frequently issued in the form of souvenir sheets, which may be collected separately or with the individual stamps. A wide variety of topics have been covered in this manner.
Our stamps are always issued in accordance with international guidelines as stipulated in Universal Postal Union manuals and other regional bodies.
Collection
Both mint-stamps (unused stamps) and used stamps can be collected. These can be collected year-wise, nation-wise or theme-wise. To make this easier and more attractive to beginners, philatelists generally advise you to collect stamps according to a selection of your choice called a Thematic Collection. Themes may be flowers, birds, animals, architecture, railways, monuments, etc. Definitive stamps and stationery can also be collected as a theme. The bottom line is that the collection unfolds various aspects of a theme like a story.
Classes of Stamps Collected
Commemorative stamps are issued to mark special events, occasions of national or international importance, and also to cover themes of general interest. They are normally withdrawn from sale at the post office after six months, and after twelve months at the stamp bureau.
Definitive stamps are essentially issued for postage purposes. The issue comprises a full range of about sixteen denominations which are released every four-five years.Philatelic counters are available at all major post offices, and services include the following:
- Sale of stamps, first day covers, souvenir folders, philatelic cards, stamp booklets
- Sale of philatelic albums and inserts
- Sale of annual stamp packs
- Sale of philatelic handbooks
- Deposit account service
- Mailing list service
- Personalised stamps (personalise your business/individual postage with your own imagery and message to give your mail more impact)
Our Philatelic Bureau stocks and sales philatelic products as follows
- Full sheet of stamps (with 25 or 50 stamps on one sheet)
- Single stamp (taken from the full sheet)
- Control block (taken from the full sheet, block of four stamps cancelled to order, the name and date of the stamp issue and the colour codes used by the printers)
- Single set of stamps (all the stamps of one issue)
- Commemorative envelopes (with the stamps of the issue plus the special cancellation)
- Miniature sheets
- Post cards and posters related to a particular stamp issue
- Aerogrammes (with a stamp printed onto the item)
- Prepaid post cards (with the stamp printed onto the item)
- Special cancellations (by special canceller of each stamp issue)
- Stamp booklets (with the stamps folded inside)
- Any other postal items as may be requested by the client (tailor-made products and services.
Why Collecting Stamps
Profitable
when stamps are withdrawn from Post Offices and Philately, their value appreciates. You can buy stamps and resale them at a later date and make profit
Educative
All stamps issued have relented literature of the pictures depicted on them and are sources of information for students.
Informative
A person can learn or trace history of any country using that country’s stamps
No value stamps
There are some people who are making a living out of stamps. These are stamp designers, stamp journalists, stamp dealer and postal staff.
Intrinsic value
Stamp collecting gives inner satisfaction, which is different from collector to collector.
Leisure
Stamp collection provides a pleasant pastime
Products and Services
- First Day Covers
It is a special envelope affixed with a complete set of the stamps issued at the particular time.
- Miniature /Souvenir sheet
It is a sheet of stamps composed of all denominations of stamps in that particular stamp issue.
- Personalized Stamps
A personalized stamp is a customized stamp on which you can put a picture of choice on it.