Your next philatelic / postal read.
- Jul 13
- 5 min read
We all love browsing a catalogue, reading philatelic journals like the London Philatelist or the American Philatelist, having a cuppa whilst flipping through a magazine like Gibbons Stamp Monthly or Stamp Collector, studying reference collections and research...
But what if you want to switch off for a bit (without truly switching off - because why would we want to switch off from the greatest hobby in the world)?
Want to try something a bit less intense for bedtime reading but still get your philatelic fix?
Or gift something philatelic to a friend or family member without them realising you're sending them stamp/postal vibes?
Thinking about that Instagram post of you on the beach with a margarita and a good book whilst making it obvious to your followers that you read the coolest stuff?
Well, we've collated 10 books we think you or someone you know will love - there's something for everyone in this hobby!
The Postal Paths: Rediscovering Britain’s Forgotten Trails And The People Who Walked Them
Alan Cleaver
A journey through Britain's lost paths, and a social history of the postmen and women who walked them.
Blue Mauritius. The Hunt for the World's Most Valuable Stamps
Helen Morgan
In September 1847 coloured squares of paper were stuck to envelopes and used to send out admission cards to a fancy-dress ball on the tropical island of Mauritius. No-one at the party would have guessed that the envelopes bearing these stamps would one day be worth more than a million dollars.
When a two pence 'Blue Mauritius' surfaced on the fledgling French stamp-collecting market in 1865 it gained instant celebrity. Then in 1903, when a perfect specimen, discovered in a childhood album, was bought at auction by the Prince of Wales, the Blue Mauritius gained super-star status.
Even now, the stamps of 'Post Office Mauritius' remain synonymous with fame, wealth and mystery. Helen Morgan tells the fascinating story of the most coveted scraps of paper in existence, from Amuritius' Port Louis to Bordeaux, India and Great Britain, Switzerland and Japan, into the fantasies and imagination of stamp collectors everywhere.
Nassau Street
Herman Herst Jr.
A collection of stories and memories by Herman (Pat) Herst, Jr. about his days as a stamp dealer on Nassau Street in New York City in the 1950s and 1960s. Nassau Street was the center of the stamp business during these decades.
People at Work: The Postman and the Postal Service
Ladybird
A must for every stamp room and kid's bookshelf! The Postman and the Postal Service is part of the popular People at Work series from Ladybird. Capturing the 1960s and 70s perfectly, the books in this series are looked upon with love and nostalgia.
First published in 1965, this beautifully illustrated book has been specially re-released to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Royal Mail in 2016.
The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman
Denis Thériault
A beautifully tragic and thought-provoking tale that perfectly reflects the elegance and style of Murakami and the skill and plotting of Julian Barnes Bilodo lives a solitary daily life, routinely completing his postal rounds every day and returning to his empty Montreal apartment. But he has found a way to break the cycle—Bilodo has taken to stealing people's mail, steaming open the envelopes, and reading the letters inside.
The Queen's Stamps: The Official History of the Royal Philatelic Collection
Nicholas Courtney
This elegant book is the definitive historical account of one of the world?s most important and extensive stamp collections, and the monarchs and keepers who have contributed to it.
To the Letter: A Journey through a Vanishing World.
Simon Garfield
Every letter contains a miniature story, and here are some of the greatest. From Oscar Wilde's unconventional method of using the mail to cycling enthusiast Reginald Bray's quest to post himself, Simon Garfield uncovers a host of stories that capture the enchantment of this irreplaceable art (with a supporting cast including Pliny the Younger, Ted Hughes, Virginia Woolf, Napoleon Bonaparte, Lewis Carroll, Jane Austen, David Foster Wallace and the Little Red-Haired Girl). There is also a brief history of the letter-writing guide, with instructions on when and when not to send fish as a wedding gift. And as these accounts unfold, so does the tale of a compelling wartime correspondence that shows how the simplest of letters can change the course of a life.
The Duck Stamp Story
Eric Jay Dolin and Bob Dumaine
With everything from production figures and collector values to little-known facts that have remained buried for decades, this book seeks to show that the Duck Stamp programme is not only one of the best conservation programs, it is also the richest art contest.
The Scarlet Ruse
John D. MacDonald
Love a bit of Lee Child? Well here is some true escapism. Travis McGee is too busy with his houseboat to pay attention to the little old man with the missing postage stamps. Except these are no ordinary stamps. They are rare stamps. Four hundred thousand dollars worth of rare. And if McGee doesn't recognize their value, perhaps Mary Alice McDermit does, a six-foot knockout who knows all the ways to a boat bum's heart. Only it's not McGee's heart that's in danger. Because a syndicate killer has put a contract on McGee. A killer who knows something about stamps . . . and even more about McGee.
Put a Stamp on it! 77 sparkling stories showcasing how stamps have intercepted historyical events.
Herman Herst Jr.
Even though we don’t often think of stamps in the context of making history, those small, decorative aspects of the mail system are far more than just there to decorate the envelope. At the heart of every letter, every postal moment for hundreds of years, stamps can be found, changing history as we know it. Told with good humor, perspective, and solid documentation, Herman Herst, Jr. offers us insight into the smallest details of the mail industry - stamps - and shows us that history is often staring back at us every time we mail or open a letter. Come along to share in seventy-seven stories where history proves that stamps are the stars, sealing history in ways we would least expect it.
Happy reading from the PTS and Stampex.
Are we missing a philatelic or postal gem from the list? Comment below and share your best reads.
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