|
Globalization has created a world of increasing complexity and diversity, but public education has lagged behind this reality. To flourish, today’s youth will need cross-cultural understanding and an international outlook. The strengths of philately—or stamp collecting—are well matched with the needs of today’s learners. Issued by every country on Earth, there could hardly be a more universal symbol than a postage stamp. Yet, even though postage stamps have unique advantages among media as a learning tool, they have been underutilized for this purpose—at least up until now. Authenticity and Ownership Since all countries of the world issue postage stamps, people all over the planet can relate to them with a sense of pride. Stamps convey information about a country’s people, history, human heritage, natural wonders and cultural identity—all interpreted through the eyes of each country’s people. |
 Click on stamp above to read full text of novelist Ayn Rand’s “Why I Like Stamp Collecting”, Minkus Stamp Journal, 1971 |
|
|
Simplicity Since postage stamps are designed to communicate in images, little verbal or language skill is needed to interpret their message. Scale Since stamps were designed for miniature format, the scale of stamps is better suited than most other media for use on maps. Attention-getting With their authority, artistry and vivid imagery, stamps have a unique ability to focus our attention, to inspire us, and to kindle our imagination. Design Diversity World postage stamp designs are created by a multitude of artists in a wide array of formats; paintings, illustrations, line drawings, abstract art, engravings, and color photographs, thus making the ensemble more interesting than a collection of thumbnail photographs, for example. |
