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How to Collect Stamps From Every Country of the World

It's easy to collect stamps. They don't take up much space, and are relatively easy to obtain on your own or from other collectors. Collecting stamps from every country in the world is a good way to bulk up your collection, or simply learn about other countries. With a little bit of perseverance and legwork, you can own stamps from places you never knew existed, much less visited.

Instructions

- 1
  Send letters to pen pals or businesses in different countries. This may take awhile, but it's a great way to trade with stamp collectors worldwide, and make friends in the process. You can also post blogs or ads to trade postcards with collectors in other countries.
- 2
  Purchase a beginner's collection of worldwide stamps. Many stamp dealers sell large mixtures of stamps from all over the world in different amounts. You can buy a set of pictorial and commemorative stamps from an assortment of countries on paper, or purchase sets of stamps from Albania, Poland, Ireland, Liberia and other countries individually. These starter packets many contain a dozen stamps, or a few hundred, depending on the country.
- 3
  Search for worldwide stamps on eBay. The American Philatelic Society has worked out rules for stamp sellers on the auction site, so there's built-in protection for bidders. Always email the seller if you have specific questions. Take advantage of keyword and advanced search functions if you're looking for stamps from a particular country.
- 4
  Join a local stamp club to trade with other collectors. If there are no in-person club meetings in your local area, try an online stamp collectors' forum. Post requests on Stamp Links or other swapping websites to interact with collectors from all over the world.
- 5
  Check for stamp shows in your city or town. Many dealers often have boxes of miscellaneous worldwide stamps for sale. Look for local stamp shops with the same offers.
- 6
  Collect stamps from every country you visit. If you don't pass through airports much, have your world-traveler friends mail you postcards from every country they explore.
- 7
  Browse websites that specialize in unusual worldwide stamps. This is your best bet for stamps from smaller islands and countries like the Cook Islands, Burkina Faso and Easter Island.

Stamp Collecting