Stamp collecting, it is said, started with an 1841 advertisement inserted in the Times of London. An Englishwoman wanted to buy a quantity of the "new" postal adhesives (Penny Blacks) to decorate a wall in her house. Thematic philately had its probable beginnings in the offer made by a Frenchman, sometimes in the 1860s, in Le Monde, to trade No. 1 stamps of all the countries of the world. Whether either of the above stories is historically correct is of little significance. It is still a beautiful way to have started a hobby.

Young stamp collectors tend to gravitate towards thematic philately. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. The cited reasons include the attractiveness of stamps themselves, association with interests or activities and wider opportunities for inventiveness in arranging album pages. Added to it are the educational factors such as history and geography as well as the best features a country has to offer through a pictorial representation. The allure of thematic philately holds true for adults as well as youth. Many collectors in other philatelic fields tend to have a "junior" collection on an interesting for them topic in the bottom drawer, to "play" with.

Collecting, as well as assemblage, is a natural pursuit for all members of the animal world. In fact, under various names, it is shared, with few exceptions, by all creatures inhabiting this globe with its inanimate denizens.

We do not expect to find a single grain of sand in a free state, see a lonely deer in a forest nor do we hear about many hermits. Even the name of a hermit crab is a misnomer; it was imparted on the creature for its habit of hiding from its enemies in abandoned shells of univalve mollusks. People in religious orders are another example of living in a community, even those that are sworn to silence.

In many casts the order of living in congregations is ordained by the dictates of procreation and preservation of the species; in others for the simple need of defense and yet in others as a means of support in overcoming the adversities of nature itself.

In order to stock our larders we gather various foodstuffs, not much different than squirrels collecting nuts for the winter or the Venus flytrap plant catching insects nor even rolling sands creating stones.

There is a saying in the English language that "there is safety in numbers" referring to the advantage of cooperative efforts. Similar in its sentiment is the aphorism that "birds off feather flock together". It is equally true for associations based on common heritage or interests. This principle is instrumental in the creation of the United Nations; the joining of hands in the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (F.I.P.); and the building of common nests by the humble ant.

We know now that collecting is a normal and, indeed, a natural activity for people. In fact, humans collect everything that can be stored, regardless of the objects size or utility. Stamps, of course, require a relatively small storage space although that space should be selected with some care. Stamps are a relatively fragile commodity, and covers usually more so, which requires a dry space with, if possible, an even temperature. Most households have facilities which are conducive to the storage of philatelic materials or can create suitably insulated drawers or spaces in cupboards.

The choice of what one collects depends on many factors. We will be, naturally, concerned only with philatelic materials. The great influence on the selection is a person's general interests and surroundings. Occupations often dictate such interests. Thus, those wanting to study stamps themselves, in all the ramifications of this statement, will turn to Traditional Philately and the people concerned with the fate of the missive on its way from the point of origin to destination will pursue the ways of Postal History. Other interests will direct people to Revenues, Aerophilately, etc.

People who have an inclination to tell a story, and do it using stamps, will turn to Thematic Philately. Thematic philately combines knowledge of a chosen subject and philatelic principles. The chosen theme is expected to be following a correct and logical plan as well as other rules imposed on it by the F.I.P. Commission for Thematic Philately. In addition to the above, the general rules of philately must be followed. It is very strongly suggested to thematic collectors to become acquainted with the General as well as Special Regulations of their Commission. Of course, people in other areas of philately should consult their Commissions manuals. This will not only give them a proper direction but will also increase the enjoyment of philately by following their interests in a prescribed manner.

Young philatelists are expected to fulfill the requirements of all the respective Commissions governing their interests in much the same manner as adult collectors. The GREVs and SREVs apply equally to all. The difference between adults and youth is the manner in which their respective collections are judged. In addition to the Rules of a Commission of a given specialty young collectors are also subject to the Special Rules of the F.I.P. Commission for Youth Philately. These Rules are based on the ability of a young person to conform to the rules and regulations of the various Commissions as modified to the age of the exhibitor. Thus, all the Rules and Regulations of the F.I.P. Commission for Youth Philately are based on established age groups.