Philately is the collection and study of postage stamps and related items.  Stamp collecting is and should remain a pleasure.  The most important thing to remember about stamp collecting is to enjoy it and not to think of it as an investment. 

It is delightful hobby that sharpens and satisfies a person's artistic taste.  while expanding the knowledge of an interaction with the world you live in, you get to know interesting details of politics, history, prominent personalites, national and international events, geography, flora and fauna, agriculture, monuments, modes of transport etc. this process of learning becomes more enjoyable through visuals and brief write ups. In addition, philately helps you to make friends across boundaries and age limits.

Most people start a collection for the pleasure and education just like any other hobby, but this hobby offers a financial reward as well as collections experience a steady increase over the years.

You will learn about History and Geography of the world by just collecting and sorting stamps.

Collect - both mint stamps (unused stamps) and used stamps can be collected and it can be collected year wise, nation wise or theme wise etc. To make it easier and attractive, philatelist would suggest the beginners to collect stamps according to a selection of your choice called the Thematic Collection. The theme chosen should be of personal interest and give pleasure. Themes may be animals, insects, birds, flowers, architecture, railways, etc. The bottom line is that the collection develops a various aspects of a theme that it tells a story. 

If you don't want to go into the expense for the time being you can start your collection by asking everybody you know to save you stamps they get from different countries. Start swapping when you have doubles.

To start collecting you need only THREE things:

1. Stamp album

2. Hinges/mounts

3. Magnifying glass and tongs

Types of Stamps - stamps may be divided into commemorative and definitive stamps. Commemorative stamps are issued to commemorate important events, famous personalities, environmental issues, national/international issues, games etc and hence have a thematic value. These stamps are available at the Philatelic Counter. They are printed in limited quantities.

Definitive stamps are issued for day to day mailing purposes and are available in various denominations at the postal counters. It may have thematic interest because of their subjects or because of the circumstances of issue, e.g., a change of government which could be important for a collection about that country's history. A good knowledge of the theme can lead to discovery of thematic material in a stamp.

Used stamp - you can collect used stamps from letters you receive. To remove stamps from an envelope, just cut around the stamp and then soak them in a bowl of warm water. After a few minutes, remove the stamps and place them face down on some newspaper to let them dry. Press them with a book to keep the stamps flat while thet dry. It is also valuable to retain stamps along with the envelopes on which they are posted as this authenticates their use.

Guidelines:

1.The most important thing to remember about stamp collecting is to enjoy it, not to think of it as an investment.

2. Collect only one Country or a theme (birds, airplants, lighthouses, famous people etc). To try collect everything can be frustrating.  How about collecting old letters & postcards of your home town?

3.  Never tear old stmaps from envelopes of Post cards.  They may be more valuable left on the letters and can be more interesting.

4.  Never keep damaged or creased stamps (unless they are very valuable!).

5.  Do not buy pretty modern unofficial stamps that come from an obscure country.  There are many bogus new stamps out there.

6.  Some early stamps are printed using water based inks, these need to taken off with a special liquid, and otherwise the printing ink will wash off as well.  Nearly all modern stamps are safe to soak off using water.

There are two types of Customer Accounts:

1.   Ordinary Customer Account - This type of account is for those customers whose requirements vary from issue to issue.  Orders are placed as and when needed either through e-mail or via postage.  Borhcures are distributed to these types of customers so as to make them aware of the new issue and to make it easy for them to order new issues of stmaps.  Based on the order, the division deducts thier account and maintains the credit balance. 

2.  Standing Customer Order Accounts - These accounts are for those customers who require repeat orders of all the new issues of stmaps, first day covers etc. Their supplies are dispatched automatically without need to re-order.  This system is of special advantage to customers who wish to receive items without delay but who may not be aware of new issues in time to place order.  In order to avoid delays and to help us eliminate unnecessary work, standing order customers are asked to ensure that they have sufficient cash in their accounts to meet their orders at least six weeks before the date of new issues.

Opening an Account with the Bureau

To open an account, the customer should contact the division either through fax, e-mail, or letter with their detailed information including the type of customer account etc.  The Manager on receiving the cash deposit will open the account for the customer.  He will record all the information (address, order, account No., account type etc.).  The customers will be given his/her account number and their balance will be made known to them after every issue.

Method of Payment

There are different modes of payment.  Customers can make their payments according to thier convenience.  Payments can be made wither through Money orders, bank draft, and cheque draft etc. provided the money could be drawn from these two Banks - Bank of Bhutan or Bhutan National Bank and collection charge of Nu.50/- extra will be added in case of cheque.