•  What is Philately? What is thematic philately?

Philately is a collection of stamps to depict various topics or themes that are more life-like or realistic through postage stamps. A philatelist is one who has a prerequisite knowledge of stamps and studies them and the subjects that enable him to classify stamps according to their production and/or use. Philately is known as the the King of Hobbies or as the Hobby of Kings. It has been able to retain the title 'King of Hobbies' mainly because of the thematic approach. One of the great charms of thematic philately is the expression of an individual. Ten philatelists may collect the same theme, but each of their collections will be different.

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•  Why did you collect stamps on gemstones and jewelry only?

I collected stamps on gemstones and jewelry because I have worked in the jewelry and gemstone businesses.

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•  How many stamps are in your collection?

I have over 5,000 individual stamps and over 10,000 with variations.

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•  If we have some related stamps or stamp information that is not on your site, how can we notify you?

Yes, I will be happy to receive the information and add it to the site. You can email it to info@drshahstamps.com.

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•  Will you be interested in adding missing and new stamps?

Yes. We will be happy to add any missing or newer stamps to our website.

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•  How long did it take you to collect all the stamps?

I have been collecting stamps for the last 65 years as it is my hobby. Please read “About Me” to see how I started collecting.

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•  What is new on your website?

It will be added as and when it is available.

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•  I will like to start collecting, can you help?

Yes, this is a hobby for any or everyone to pursue.

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•  I noticed a mistake in the information whom should I inform?

I would love to know if there is a mistake, please email me at info@drshahstamps.com.

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•  I have a suggestion, whom may I inform?

Suggestions are welcome, please email me at info@drshahstamps.com.

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•  What abbreviations are used?

Abbreviations

Block: An unsevered even-numbered group of stamps; i.e., block of four, six, 12, etc.
Cancel, Cancellation: A marking, usually a hand stamp or postmark that indicates a stamp has been used.
Commemorative: A stamp issued to honor some person, place or event.
Cover: An envelope or piece of postal stationery (a postcard would also fall into this category)-and usually one that has gone through the mails.
Denomination: The face value of a stamp.
Error: Un-intentional deviation from the normal- An abnormal stamp that has some kind of printing flaw---from over inking to perforation mistakes.
Essay: Artwork of a proposed design for a stamp or piece of postal stationery. An essay must, in fact, be different in some way from the actual design of the issued stamp or stationery.
Face Value: The value of a stamp as noted on its face.
First Day Cover (F.D.C.): An envelope bearing a stamp (and official first day of issue postmark) which has been cancelled on the first day the stamp was issued to the public.
Imperforate: Stamps without perforations or separation device between then on a sheet.
Meter Mark (M.M.) is a postal cancellation on the day of issue with a special design. We are also taking those envelopes and postcards with special words relating to our topic like ‘Diamond’, ‘Quartz’ etc.
Mint: A stamp in the same condition as when it was issued and purchased at the post office. Original gum is on the reverse and the stamp has never been hinged into an album.
Overprint: Any printing over the original design of a stamp. For instance, an overprint that upgrades or changes the value of a stamp.
Pair: Two un-separated stamps.
Perforation: The punching out of holes between stamps in order to aid in their separation. There are various kinds and sizes or perforations which are measured by a perforation gauge. Often, a particular size of perforation can differ on stamps that look very much alike. Different valuations can be the result.
Philately: The collection and study of postage stamps and related items.
Post Card (P.C.): Post Cards require a stamp and postal cards have the postage pre-printed on them. While a postcard is usually printed by a private company, individual or organization, a postal card is issued by the relevant postal authority.
Paraphernalia (P.P)
Postmark: An official postal marking usually giving the date and origin or a piece of mail and is often part of the cancellation obliterating a stamp to prevent reuse.
Proofs: Trial impressions from a die or printing plate that are made before the formal production of stamps. Such proofs are made to check defects in the plate work or design of the stamps.
Souvenir Sheet (S.S.): A souvenir sheet or miniature sheet is a small group of postage stamps still attached to the sheet on which they were printed. They may be either regular issues or special issues often commemorating some event, such as a national anniversary, philatelic exhibition, or government program.
"Specimen": Stamp or stationery overprinted "Specimen" and distributed to member countries of the Universal Postal Union so that they are able to identify valid stamps and avoid forgeries.
Surcharge: A surcharge is a form of overprint that changes or re-states the face value of the stamp or piece of postal stationery.
Topical or Thematic: A stamp or piece of stationery showing a particular subject; i.e., gemstones, minerals, jewelry, clocks, coins etc.
Used: A stamp or stationery item that has been used for the purpose for which it was intended: usage on the mail. Such an item usually bears all or part of a cancel or obliteration device.

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