philatelist

American  

[fi-lat-l-ist] / fɪˈlæt l ɪst /

noun

1. a person who collects stamps as a hobby or investment.

   By following the points below, new philatelists will be able to start their stamp collection and enjoy the benefits of collecting.

2. an expert in the study of postage and revenue stamps, stamped envelopes and postmarks, postcards, and other items related to postal history.

   At the symposium, research on the history of American postal operations was discussed by philatelists and the interested public.

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Etymology

Origin of philatelist

First recorded in 1860–65; philatel(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Example Sentences

You can see it in her attention to business cards and job titles, which she collects like a philatelist raiding a flea market: Human-Elephant Conflict Specialist, Bear Manager, Danger-Tree Faller-Blaster.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2021

A cyclist already brings such rigor to bikes; the philatelist to stamps.

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2017

That lasted several years, until Yang, an amateur philatelist, got in another dust-up with a manager who touched some of his stamps.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2016

These are greater interest to philatelist than the 'official' - mass produced - stamp issues which follow later.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2011

The philatelist is found in every civilized country, and the collection of postage stamps, used and unused, grows apace.

From Chats on Household Curios by Burgess, Fred. W. (Frederick William)