Stamp memorabilia is also a flourishing business, as they provide great souvenirs for important occasions. They can commemorate important anniversaries, such as Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, or celebrate enduring cultural icons, like The Beatles. Some argue that stamp collecting is also a great way to learn about other nations and their cultures.
Interest in stamp collecting has also grown in emerging economies, such as India and Brazil, as it provides a sound and stable investment opportunity for collectors. In China, where stamp collecting was once seen as a potentially subversive activity, it is now a thriving hobby for millions. Chinese stamps produced in the 1960s during the Cultural Revolution are especially highly-prized, compared with European stamps from the same period.
In the UK, the Royal Mail recently issued a variety of stamps to honour each gold medal winner from Great Britain's successful Olympic team. Stamps are therefore used as a way to venerate national heroes.
Although she herself appears on many UK and Commonwealth stamps, one of the largest collections belongs to Queen Elizabeth II, as she inherited the treasured set from her father, King George V. He amassed a huge compendium after visiting many countries around the world.
So, while some people see stamp collecting as a boring sideline for grey-haired men, it can prove to be an educational and financially astute pastime.
Quiz 測驗 What other name can be used to describe stamp collecting?
philately
What phrase describes an item in a perfect form?
in mint condition
What is the collective term for souvenirs and collectables?
memorabilia
What verb means to honour or revere?
to venerate
What other word in used to describe a collection?
compendium
Glossary 词汇表 philately 集郵，集郵者 desirable 搶手的，中意的 in mint condition 嶄新的 collectable 可收集物，珍藏物 limited edition 限量版 memorabilia 紀念品 flourishing 繁榮興旺的 souvenirs 紀念品 commemorate 紀念 enduring 持久的 icons 偶像人物 sound 明智的，可靠的 subversive 顛覆性的 thriving 繁榮興旺的 highly-prized 被視為珍寶的 issued 發行 honour （以示）紀念 venerate 尊敬 inherited 繼承的 treasured 珍視的 amassed 積聚，收集 compendium 概略（成套的郵票） sideline 副業 astute 精明的
