One of the most exciting steps for every young philatelist is choosing a theme. This is the moment when a collection begins to gain character, style and personality. A theme is not just a group of stamps — it is a reflection of the collector's interests, dream...

Every young collector starts with one small piece of paper that carries far more history than it seems at first glance. A postage stamp is not just a mark of paid postal service — it is a miniature work of art, a document of its time, and part of the cultural ...

The study of early Bulgarian postal issues from the 19th century represents a key element of modern philatelic expertise. The present research was conducted at the Central Research Laboratory (CRL) of the “University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy” and ...

The artistic sweep and multifaceted nature of Professor Alexander Poplilov-his scale, pedagogical charisma, and verbal charm-are recognized as the brightest rays in his creative aura. They shine most strongly upon his achievements in political poster art, pain...

One of the most authoritative Western studies on the forgeries of Bulgarian postage stamps was published by Otto E. Stiedl and Fritz Billig as the 34th installment of their series Expert: Billig's Großes Handbuch der Fälschungen (“Billig’s Great Handbook of Fo...

The research conducted by Ivan Metchev on the so called “Sofia” issues is undoubtedly one of the most extensive and in depth studies on the subject in recent years. It brings together a large volume of visual comparisons, observations on clichés, statistical d...

A few decades ago, philatelists did not face many of the problems that are now completely common. In the past, the main interest was in used (cancelled) stamps, and the requirements for mint stamps were minimal. The issue of missing or damaged gum was almost n...

If you are an experienced stamp collector, you have probably come across a brown stamp that should actually be orange according to the stamp catalog. Unfortunately, you have not discovered a printing error that would make the stamp worth thousands of dollars. ...

Stamp collecting has long surpassed the boundaries of a simple hobby. It brings together history, geography, culture, art, and an appreciation for the finest details. For anyone who approaches philately seriously, tools are just as important as the stamps them...

Stamp collecting is a popular and rewarding hobby practiced all over the world.   This hobby requires no initial skills or expertise, and it doesn't have to be expensive. Beginning collectors are often thrilled by a beautiful piece of art on display, while adv...