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

In London, philatelist Denis Vandervelde enlightens the authors to the centuries-old practice of disinfecting mail in times of widespread disease.

From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2021

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

Eventually, she left Ireland to live in Germany, with that little boy she’d had, her son, Roy Hamilton-Bowen, who’d gone on to be himself — a professional philatelist and numismatist.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2015

There’s a Swedish philatelist who makes him tear up books of expensive stamps.

From The Guardian • Aug. 31, 2014

David Purtell Hume, Numismatist, philatelist, dealer in objects of art and curiosities.

From Ashton-Kirk, Investigator by McIntyre, John T.