nd the busy of all classes and
all ranks of life, from the monarch on his throne to the errand boy in
the merchant's office.

In the competition of modern life it is recognised that those who
must work must also play. The physician assures us that the man who
allows himself no relaxation, no recreation, loses his energy, and
ages earlier than the man who judiciously alternates work and play.

As stamp collecting may be indulged in by all ages, and at all
seasons, it is becoming more and more the favourite indoor relaxation
with brain-workers. It may be taken up or laid down at any time, and
at any stage. Its cost may be limited to shillings or pounds, and it
may be made a pleasant pursuit or an engrossing study, or it may even
be diverted into money-making purposes.

So absorbing is the hobby that in stamp circles there is a saying,
"Once a stamp collector, always a stamp collector."

CONTENTS

I. STAMP COLLECTING AS A PASTIME

II. THE CHARM OF STAMP COLLECTING

III. ITS PERMANENCE

IV. ITS INTERNATIONALITY

V. ITS GEOGRAPHICAL INTEREST

VI. ITS HISTORICAL FINGER POSTS

VII. STAMPS WITH A HISTORY

VIII. GREAT RARITIES

IX. THE ROMANCE OF STAMP COLLECTING

X. PHILATELIC SOCIETIES AND THEIR WORK

XI. THE LITERATURE OF STAMPS

XII. STAMPS AS WORKS OF ART

XIII. STAMP COLLECTING AS AN INVESTMENT

XIV. WHAT TO COLLECT AND HOW TO COLLECT

XV. GREAT COLLECTIONS

[Illustration:]

I.

As a Pastime.

According to the authorities, the central idea of a pastime is "that
it is so positively agreeable that it lets time slip by unnoticed; as,
to turn work into pastime." And recreation is described as "that sort
of play or agreeable occupation which refreshes the tired person,
making him as good as new."

Stamp collectors may fairly claim that their hobby serves the double
purpose of a pastime and a recreation. As a pastime, it certainly
makes time pass most agreeably; for the true student of the postal
issues of the world, it turns work into a pastime. As a recreation, it
is of such an engrossing character that it may be relied upon to
afford the pleasant diversion from business worries that so many tired
mental workers need nowadays.

For nearly half a century it has maintained unbroken its hold as one
of the most popular of all forms of relaxation, and its popularity
extends to all classes and to all countries.

But this very devotion of stamp collectors to their hobby has puzzle