Organised philately in the Maltese Islands : part 1

Abstract

Ever since the appearance of the first postage stamp in May, 1840, stamp collecting established itself rapidly, not only in the country of origin, but in most other countries where the use of the stamp as prepayment of postage was introduced. People were then fascinated by the little bits of paper that were travelling long distances witnessing that postage had been paid. And in spite of the difficulties the early collector had to face, stamp collectors were buying the few stamps in existence through the services of the couple of dealers that had presumed profitable enterprise in stamp dealing. Thus philately was getting itself organised and a number of stamp clubs and societies were forming themselves in many parts of the world.