Philatelic echo of 1989 Bush-Gorbachev Malta summit

Abstract

For many people, philately or stamp collecting reminds them of their childhood when they were encouraged to collect colourful used and stick them in an album classified by country. When they advanced at school and their studies required more time and dedication, their interest in philately waned, perhaps surfacing again when the individual was settled in life and career. Adult collectors find a spectrum of attractions in this hobby, ranging from its historical, political, economical to social aspects. Joining the philatelic society, reading a magazine or attending a philatelic exhibition fuels deeper enthusiasm for the real meaning of stamps and their multi-faceted importance. Today, philatelic research has reached a very high level. Postal museums and archives of all sorts have been opened and such research has yielded new knowledge about the postal service from many angles. This has also led to academic studies and the publication of books on the subject. [excerpt]