In the competition of modern life it is recognised that those who must work must also play. The physician assures us that the man who allows himself no relaxation, no recreation, loses his energy, and ages earlier than the man who judiciously alternates work and play.

As stamp collecting may be indulged in by all ages, and at all seasons, it is becoming more and more the favourite indoor relaxation with brain-workers. It may be taken up or laid down at any time, and at any stage. Its cost may be limited to shillings or pounds, and it may be made a pleasant pursuit or an engrossing study, or it may even be diverted into money-making purposes.

So absorbing is the hobby that in stamp circles there is a saying, "Once a stamp collector, always a stamp collector."

CONTENTS

PAGE
I. [Stamp Collecting as a Pastime][7]
II. [The Charm of Stamp Collecting][10]
III. [Its Permanence][14]
IV. [Its Internationality][17]
V. [Its Geographical Interest][20]
VI. [Its Historical Finger Posts][23]
VII. [Stamps With a History][28]
VIII. [Great Rarities][34]
IX. [The Romance of Stamp Collecting][41]
X. [Philatelic Societies and their Work][44]
XI. [The Literature of Stamps][47]
XII. [Stamps as Works of Art][51]
XIII. [Stamp Collecting as an Investment][54]
XIV. [What to Collect and How to Collect][61]
XV. [Great Collections][65]