The word “philately” is the English version of the French word "philatélie", coined by Georges Herpin in 1864. Herpin stated that stamps had been collected and studied for the previous six or seven years and a better name was required for the new hobby than timbromanie, which was disliked. He took the Greek root word phil or philo, meaning an attraction or affinity for something, and ateleia, meaning "exempt from duties and taxes" to form "philatelie". The introduction of postage stamps meant that the receipt of letters was now free of charge, whereas before stamps it was normal for postal charges to be paid by the recipient of a letter.
The alternative terms "timbromania", "timbrophily" and "timbrology" gradually fell out of use as Philately gained acceptance during the 1860s.
Philatelists collect stamps for the sentimental value given to the work of art, theme, rarity of the stamp, educational reasons, shape, or as an investment.
Collecting stamps is also an excellent hobby for the younger generation. Children very often inherit stamp collections from grandparents or other members of the family and do not know what to do with it. NamPost Philately is currently busy with a programme whereby schoolchildren are educated in managing their stamp collections. The general idea is to encourage them to collect and to enjoy the hobby!
NamPost Philately issues two types of stamps.