Stamp collecting began at the same time that stamps were first issued in 1860. It was only a few years before a catalog of available issues was put out.
The answer depends on the meaning of "cool". I think stamp collecting is about as cool as studying history or fine art or ballet.
stamp collecting
Douglas Patrick has written: 'International guide to stamps and stamp collecting' -- subject- s -: Stamp collecting 'Canada's postage stamps' -- subject- s -: Postage stamps, History
Litho in stamp collecting refers to the printing process called offset lithography.
Kenneth F. Chapman has written: 'Good stamp collecting' -- subject(s): Collectors and collecting, Stamp collecting
Margaret I. Morris has written: 'Thematic stamp collecting' -- subject(s): Stamp collecting
Walter Young has written: 'Stamp collecting, A to Z' -- subject(s): Stamp collecting
Stamp collecting
because stamp were easily obtained .
Edward H. Spire has written: 'Adventures in stamp collecting' -- subject(s): Stamp collecting
Samuel A. Tower has written: 'A stamp collector's history of the United States' -- subject(s): History, Juvenile literature, Stamp collecting 'Cartoons and lampoons' -- subject(s): Caricatures and cartoons, History, Pictorial American wit and humor, Politics and government
James Watson has written: 'The Stanley Gibbons book of stamps and stamp collecting' -- subject(s): Postage stamps, Stamp collecting 'The Stanley Gibbons book of stampsand stamp collecting' -- subject(s): Collectors and collecting, Postage-stamps 'Your book of stamps' -- subject(s): Stamp collecting 'Modern 8mm cine-photography' -- subject(s): Amateurs' manuals, Cinematography