Philatelic Week – Nov. 22, 2026

Expected Philatelic Week Deals

Philatelic Week, a Recognition holiday, doesn’t typically feature widespread commercial deals but rather focuses on educational events and community engagement. Organizations like the American Philatelic Society and local stamp clubs host online seminars, virtual exhibitions, and trading sessions. Retailers such as Mystic Stamp Company and H.E. Harris & Co. often offer special discounts on starter kits, albums, and rare stamps to encourage new collectors. Postal services, including the United States Postal Service, might release commemorative stamps or special postmarks. Look for local library programs and online forums to connect with the philatelic community. We will update this page with confirmed live events as November approaches.

History of Philatelic Week

The origin of philately can be traced to 1840 when the English post office introduced postage stamps. The postage stamps were an idea by Rowland Hill, who proposed in his 1937 pamphlet “Post Office Reform: Its Importance and Practicability” as a solution to the revenue problem the post office in Great Britain was experiencing. The Exchequer supported this proposal, and on May 1, 1840, a one-penny design in black and a two-penny one in blue with the profile of Queen Victoria went on public sale. In 1841, the earliest reference to stamp collecting was recorded when a lady placed an advertisement in The Times of London, looking to cover her dressing-room with canceled postage stamps.

Later on, between 1842 and 1843, New York City, the Brazilian empire, and the Swiss cantons of Zurich and Geneva started issuing stamps. In 1847, the U.S. government issued stamps of 5-cent and 10-cent, bearing the pictures of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, respectively. As of 1850, most countries in the world had begun issuing postage stamps. It was around the 1850s that philately took off.

The person considered to be the first philatelist is Mansen, a postmaster who lived in Paris. In 1855, Mansen sold his stamp collection to the stamp merchant and second-hand book dealer Edard de Laplante. Following the sales of this valuable collection, many stamp merchants started to emerge.

In the late 19th century, individuals worldwide and countries began collecting stamps. Countries like England, Germany, France, and Belgium created mechanisms to collect stamps. Also, some of these countries established museums dedicated to their history with philately.

In 1934, German philatelist Hans von Rudolphi suggested the idea of celebrating an annual Postage Stamp Day. The idea was quickly adopted in Germany, and other countries later established their Stamp Day. On October 13, 1969, President Ferdinand E. Marcos of the Philippines proclaimed the last week of November as Philatelic Week.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Philatelic Week