Video Game Stamps

[DefaultGen | 5,396]

What’s up super nerds.

The UK issued their first ever video game stamps today. I went looking into the history of video game stamps and there isn’t much. There is no easy way to search for a topic like video games in a catalogue, so this is the result of compiling scant sources and hours of my own research. It is not likely complete, but as far as I can see, there’s no more complete reference anywhere, even the American Topical Association which specifically makes hundreds of paid-for stamp theme checklists.

I’m counting generic references and representations of video games, characters that originated from video games (e.g. Pikachu), and people associated with the industry. I’m not counting characters that originated outside of games but happen to have a big video game presence (e.g. Doraemon).

I know no one really cares, and almost everything here is completely worthless, but maybe this helps some Googler looking into this obscure aspect of video games so I thought I’d share it.

Sources:
Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue
MICHEL Katalog
http://www.computer-stamps.com/category/5/video-games/
https://www.stampcommunity.org/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31166&whichpage=1
https://www.stampcommunity.org/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18185&whichpage=1
https://www.stampworld.com/en/
https://colnect.com/en/stamps

 

Video Game Stamps

 

Name: 1953 - voor het kind - 1988 (1988 Youth Care Campaign)
Country: Netherlands Antilles
Denomination: 115 + 55c
Date: 10/26/1988
Notes: Pac-Man in background. Earliest example of video game represented on a stamp I’ve seen.
Links:
https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Netherlands-Antilles/Postage-stamps/g0663//
https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Netherlands-Antilles/Postage-stamps/g0660//
Scott Number: B261

 

Name: Computer Games
Country: Israel
Denomination: 60Ag
Date: 12/12/1990
Notes: Three generic representations of computer games, basketball, F1 racing, and chess.
Links: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Israel/Postage-stamps/g1176//
Scott Numbers: 1068-1070

 

Name: 101 Dalmatians
Country: Gambia
Denomination: 25D
Date: 5/1/1997
Notes: Dalmations playing a Sega Saturn-ish console
Links: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Gambia/Postage-stamps/g2729//
Scott Number: 1909
 

Name: 70th Anniversary of the Birth of Mickey Mouse
Country: Uganda
Denomination: 400Sh
Date: 5/4/1998
Notes: Mickey Mouse playing a generic computer game
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Uganda/Postage-stamps/g2017//
Scott Number: 1555
 

Name: Christmas 1948-1998
Country: Guernsey
Denomination: 17P
Date: 11/10/1998
Notes: Teletubby with a Playstation under a Christmas tree. First time a real game console has been depicted.
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Guernsey/Postage-stamps/g0782//
Scott Number: 664

 

Name: The Information Age - Visionaries in the Twentieth Century
Country: Palau
Denomination: 33c
Date: 6/30/1999
Notes: Nolan Bushnell, the cofounder of Atari. Rand Miller and Robyn Miller, the designers of Myst. Jaron Lanier, VR visionary and developer of Moondust on C64. Steve Wozniak, Breakout designer. Bill Gates, developer of DONKEY.BAS, the first PC game, also obviously somewhat involved with Xbox.

This set also has Steve Jobs who had a minor role at Atari and some other tangential tech people of the 80s/90s, but I don’t think I’d count them. Cool set though.

Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Palau/Postage-stamps/g1496//
Scott Numbers: 512a-512y for the full set

 

Name: Video Games (Celebrate the Century: 1980s)
Country: United States
Denomination: 33c
Date: 1/12/2000
Notes: The only US stamp to ever depict a video game! Defender on Atari 2600.
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/United-States/Postage-stamps/g3329//
Scott Number: 3190L

 

Name: Personal Computers (Celebrate the Century: 1980s)
Country: United States
Denomination: 33c
Date: 1/12/2000
Notes: The back of this stamp mentions playing games. This is almost an honorable mention.
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/United-States/Postage-stamps/g3329//
Scott Number: 3190N

 

Name: Virtual Reality (Celebrate the Century: 1990s)
Country: United States
Denomination: 33c
Date: 5/2/2000
Notes: While it doesn’t depict a video game, the back does mention video games
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/United-States/Postage-stamps/g3377//
Scott Number: 3191J

 

Name: Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Grenada
Denomination: $1.50
Date: 2/1/2001
Notes: Rattata, Sandshrew, Wartortle, Primeape, Golduck, Persian
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/749189-Pok%C3%A9mon-Pok%C3%A9mon-Grenada
Scott Number: 3088

 

Name: Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Grenada
Denomination: $6
Date: 2/1/2001
Notes: Jolteon
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/749196-Jolteon-Pok%C3%A9mon-Grenada
Scott Number: 3089

 

Name: Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique
Denomination: $1.50
Date: 2/1/2001
Notes: Bellsprout, Vulpix, Dewgong, Oddish, Dratini, Jigglypuff
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/758384-Togepi-Pok%C3%A9mon-Grenada
Scott Number: 2284

 

Name: Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique
Denomination: $6
Date: 2/1/2001
Notes: Pikachu
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/717310-Pikachu-Pok%C3%A9mon-Grenada_Carriacou_Petite_Martinique
Scott Number: 2285

 

Name: Pokemon Articuno #144
Country: Gambia
Denomination: 25d
Date: 2/1/2001
Notes: Articuno
Link: None
Scott Number: 2394
 

Name: Pokemon Articuno #144
Country: Gambia
Denomination: 7d
Date: 2/1/2001
Notes: Beedrill, Arbok, Machop, Vileplume, Clefairy, Poliwhirl
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Gambia/Postage-stamps/g4227//
Scott Number: 2393

 

Name: Pokemon Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Micronesia
Denomination: $2
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes: Farfetch’d
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/840874-Farfetchd-Pok%C3%A9mon-Micronesia_Federated_States_of
Scott Number: 415

 

Name: Pokemon Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Micronesia
Denomination: 50c
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes: Weepinbell, Snorlax, Seel, Hitmonchan, Jynx, Ponyta
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/845250-Pok%C3%A9mon-Pok%C3%A9mon-Micronesia_Federated_States_of
Scott Number: 414

 

Name: Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Guyana
Denomination: $100
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes: Staryu, Seaking, Tentacool, Margikarp, Seadra, Goldeen
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/777708-Characters_from_the_Pokemon_cartoons-Pokemon_Cartoon_Characters-Guyana
Scott Number: 3571
 

Name: Pokemon Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: Guyana
Denomination: $400
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes: Horsea
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/777709-Horsea_116-Pokemon_Cartoon_Characters-Guyana
Scott Number: 3572

 

Name: Pokemon
Country: Antigua and Barbuda
Denomination: $1.75
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes: Starmie, Misty, Brock, Geodude, Krabby, Ash
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/681940-Pok%C3%A9mon-Pok%C3%A9mon-Antigua_and_Barbuda
Scott Number: 2425

 

Name: Pokemon Charizard #06
Country: Antigua and Barbuda
Denomination: $6
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes: Charizard
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/681947-Charizard-Pok%C3%A9mon-Antigua_and_Barbuda
Scott Number: 2426

 

Name: Pokemon Season’s Greetings 2000
Country: St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Denomination: 90c
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes: Kadabra, Spearow, Kakuna, Koffing, Tentacruel, Cloyster
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/St.-Vincent-And-The-Grenadines/Postage-stamps/g2852//
Scott Number: 2890
 

Name: Pokemon Meowth #52
Country: St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Denomination: $3
Date: 2/13/2001
Notes:
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/St.-Vincent-And-The-Grenadines/Postage-stamps/g2858//
Scott Number: 2891
 

Name: Pokemon
Country: Dominica
Denomination: $1.65
Date: Feb 2001
Notes: Butterfree, Bulbasaur, Caterpie, Charmander, Squirtle, Pidgeotto
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/608127-Pokemon-Pokemon-Dominica
Scott Number: 2266

 

Name: Nidoking
Country: Dominica
Denomination: $6
Date: Feb 2001
Notes: Nidoking
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/602214-Nidoking-Pokemon-Dominica
Scott Number: 2267

 

Name: Pokemon Entei #244
Country: Liberia
Denomination: $100
Date: 2001
Notes: Liberia was in the midst of a brutal civil war when this stamp was issued. It is likely this was produced overseas under pre-war contracts then marketed to stamp collectors rather than used for postage. Although they’re not listed in the Scott catalogue until their Liberian postal use is confirmed, it is nonetheless it’s part of a set of similar 2001 stamps so I’m including it.
Link: None
Scott Number: None

 

Name: Pokemon Pichu #172
Country: Liberia
Denomination: $100
Date: 2001
Notes: Produced during Second Liberian Civil War (see Entei). Likely made overseas for pre-war contracts and sold to collectors, but including because it belongs with the rest of this set.
Link: None
Scott Number: None

 

Name: Pokemon
Country: Sierra Leone
Denomination: 1500 le
Date: 8/26/2002
Notes: Sudowoodo, Aipom, Shuckle, Miltank, Hitmontop, Ledian
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Sierra-Leone/Postage-stamps/g4330//
Scott Number: 2557

 

Name: Pokemon Lugia #249
Country: Sierra Leone
Denomination: 5000 le
Date: 8/26/2002
Notes:
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Sierra-Leone/Postage-stamps/g4336//
Scott Number: 2558

 

Name: Pokemon
Country: Antigua and Barbuda
Denomination: $1.50
Date: 8/26/2002
Notes: Croconaw, Mantine, Feraligatr, Quilfish, Remoraid, Qaugsire
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/629321-Pok%C3%A9mon-Pok%C3%A9mon-Antigua_and_Barbuda
Scott Number: 2586
 

Name: Pokemon #170 Chinchou
Country: Antigua and Barbuda
Denomination: $6
Date: 8/26/2002
Notes: 
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/629328-Chinchou-Pok%C3%A9mon-Antigua_and_Barbuda
Scott Number: 2587

 

Name: Pokemon
Country: Grenada
Denomination: $1.50
Date: 8/26/2002
Notes: Mareep, Sunkern, Teddiursa, Swinub, Murkow, Snubbull
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/758377-Pok%C3%A9mon-Pok%C3%A9mon-Grenada
Scott Number: 3269
 

Name: Pokemon #175 Togepi
Country: Grenada
Denomination: $6
Date: 8/26/2002
Notes: 
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/758384-Togepi-Pok%C3%A9mon-Grenada
Scott Number: 3270
 

Name: Youth Stamps / 3D Computer Graphic
Country: The Netherlands
Denomination: 80c
Date: 8/26/2002
Notes: Depicts what must be a 90s 3D racing game in the background. If it’s not a screenshot, it references the genre in general. It was also cancelled with a play button as pictured, further convincing me it is a video game.
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/73736-3D_computer_graphic-Youth_culture-Netherlands
Scott Number: 974
 

Name: Kind & Computer (The Child & the Computer)
Country: Netherlands
Denomination: Multiple
Date: 11/6/2001
Notes: LCD game art inspired by Game & Watch. Source: https://www.harmenliemburg.nl/2001/11/01/kind-computer-stamps/
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Netherlands/Postage-stamps/g1924//
Scott Number: B728

 

Name: Animation Heroes & Heroines: Pokemon
Country: Japan
Denomination: 50y, 80y
Date: 6/23/2005
Notes: Pikachu, Charizard, Mew, Rayquaza, Gonbe
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/247772-Mini_Sheet_Animation_Hero_Heroine_-_1_Pokemon-Animation_Heroes_Heroines_1st_issue_Pokemon-Japan
Scott Number: 2919

 

Name: Heroes Des Jeux Video (Video Game Heroes)
Country: France
Denomination: 0,20€ / 0.33€
Date: 11/11/2005
Notes: Link, Mario, Adibou, Pac-Man, Lara Croft, Spyro, Donkey Kong, The Sims. This is the first set of stamps to depict multiple real video games as a set. Unfortunately I don't think they go together very well and they're pretty ugly. The Pac-Man stamp on its own looks pretty good. Between Tomb Raider, The Sims, and POP this is the first time we've seen PC games.
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/France/Postage-stamps/g3969//
Scott Numbers: 3155a-3155j

 

Name: Online Games Special
Country: South Korea
Denomination: 250w
Date: 11/9/2006
Notes: Lineage, Maplestory, Ragnarok Online, Gersang, Legend of Mir III, Kartrider, Mu, Pangya, Fortress 2 Blue, and Mabinogi.
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/South-Korea/Postage-stamps/g2537//
Scott Numbers: 2234a-2234j

 

Name: Letter to Santa Claus (Europa 2008 - Writing Letters)
Country: Jersey
Denomination: 43p
Date: 2/14/2008
Notes: Kid is asking for computer games!
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Jersey/Postage-stamps/g1326//
Scott Number: 1304

 

Name: The Child and New Technologies
Country: Algeria
Denomination: 15d
Date: 5/1/2008
Notes: Generic depiction of a game console
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Algeria/Postage-stamps/g1558//
Scott Number: 1431
 

Name: PhilaNippon 2011 International Philatelic Exhibition, Yokohama - 1st issue
Country: Japan
Denomination: 80¥
Date: 1/21/2011
Notes: Two Pikachus!
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Japan/Postage-stamps/g5533//
Scott Number: 3300

 

Name: PhilaNippon 2011 International Philatelic Exhibition, Yokohama - 2nd issue
Country: Japan
Denomination: 80¥
Date: 7/28/2011
Notes: Two more Pikachus!
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Japan/Postage-stamps/g5736//
Scott Number: 3347

 

Name: Angry Birds Ice Hockey World Championships
Country: Finland
Denomination: 1 LK/KL
Date: 3/21/2012
Notes: Angry Birds
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Finland/Postage-stamps/g2172// 
Scott Number: 1407

 

Name: Angry Birds
Country: Finland
Denomination: 1 LK/KL
Date: 9/9/2013
Notes: Angry Birds characters from the mobile game
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Finland/Postage-stamps/g2263// 
Scott Number: 1446

 

Name: Game Icons
Country: Ireland
Denomination: 68c
Date: 10/16/2014
Notes: Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Sonic, and Mario. Another kind of ugly set of multiple different games. One full screenshot, one zoomed, and two cartoon art styles. Hopefully someone one day makes a cohesive sheet of multiple games, because these seem lazy.
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Ireland/Postage-stamps/g2095//
Scott Number: 2056-2059
 

Name: UN Honorary Ambassador for Green
Country: United Nations, Offices in New York
Denomination: $1.15
Date: 4/22/2016
Notes: Red the bird from the Angry Birds movie adaptation. Only valid for postage at UN in NYC.
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/UN-New-York/Postage-stamps/g1490// 
Scott Number: ??? (Don’t have a recent enough catalog) - Michel NT-NY 1504-1513KB
 

Name: Wiedźmin / Geralt Z Rivii
Country: Poland
Denomination: 6zl
Date: 6/16/2016
Notes: Geralt from The Witcher. Technically this is a Polish literary character, but the sheet references the video game.
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/645538-Wied%C5%BAmin-Poland
Scott Number: 4252

 

Name: Modern Communication Technology
Country: Cuba
Denomination: 40c
Date: 3/15/2017
Notes: Xbox 360 Controller. Unclear on game being played.
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/756693-Modern_Communication_Technology-Cuba
Scott Number: ??? (Don’t have a recent enough catalog) - Michel CU 6221

 

Name: La Abadía del Crimen 30th anniversary
Country: Spain
Denomination: 0.60 €
Date: 5/8/2017
Notes: Tribute to the Amstrad CPC game La Abadía del Crimen. Touch the windows to reveal symbols under thermochromic ink. Probably the most thematic video game stamps ever!
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/701679-Video_Games_La_Abad%C3%ADa_del_Crimen_30th_anniversary-La_Abadia_del_Crimen_Video_Game_30th_Anniversary-Spain
Scott Number: 4202
 

Name: Feria JUVENIA - Avilés. Mod. Videojuego
Country: Spain
Denomination: Variable value stamp / ATM label
Date: 5/10/2017
Notes: Avilés street inside what looks like a Wii U controller
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/807473-Feria_JUVENIA_-_Avil%C3%A9s_Mod_Videojuego-Spain
Scott Number: N/a AFAIK

 

Name: Super Mario (2017 Greetings Stamps)
Country: Japan
Denomination: 82¥
Date: 6/28/2017
Notes: First Japanese depictions of Nintendo characters on stamps (and frankly, the only Nintendo set that’s attractive)
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Japan/Postage-stamps/g8562//
Scott Number: 4123
 

Name: Digital Innovations
Country: Sweden
Denomination: 100Kr
Date: 11/16/2017
Notes: Video game controller, joystick, possible graphics that reference Minecraft
Link: https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/746354-Digital_Innovations-Digital_Innovations-Sweden
Scott Number: 3347
 

Name: Toys Then - Toys Now
Country: Netherlands
Denomination: 1 (First Class)
Date: 4/28/2018
Notes: Generic representation of a video game console
Link: https://www.stampworld.com/stamps/Japan/Postage-stamps/g5736//
Scott Number: 3347
 

Name: Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Frame Stamp Set
Country: Japan
Denomination: 62¥
Date: June 2018
Notes: 10 different Street Fighter games and characters represented. These Japan Post stamps were a small part of a bundle that includes a boxed Chun-Li statue and retailed for a whopping 12,800¥. It’s easily available but very expensive.
Link: None
Scott Number: ??? (I don’t have access to a recent enough catalog)

 

Name: Video Games
Country: United Kingdom
Denomination: Various
Date: 1/21/2020
Notes: Classic British-developed computer games. Elite, Sensible Soccer, Wipeout, Dizzy, Worms, Lemmings, Micro Machines, and Populous.
Link: https://shop.royalmail.com/special-stamp-issues/video-games
Scott Number: ??? (Not listed yet)
 

Name: Tomb Raider featuring Lara Croft
Country: United Kingdom
Denomination: Various
Date: 1/21/2020
Notes: Tomb Raider, Adventures of Lara Croft, Tomb Raider Chronicles, and Tomb Raider (2013)
Link: https://shop.royalmail.com/special-stamp-issues/video-games
Scott Number: ??? (Not listed yet)

 

 

Video Game Etiquettes 

These sheets have etiquettes (stickers or labels) related to games, but the actual postage stamps are not video game related. These are much more scarcely documented than actual postage stamps, so there are likely more.
 

Name: Christmas Seals 1999 (Foroyar Jol 1999)
Country: Faroe Islands
Denomination: n/a
Date: 1999
Notes: Nintendo 64 controller. Not postage, Christmas seals raise funds for needy children
Link: None

 

Name: Super Mario Bros. Stamp Collection
Country: Japan
Denomination: 80¥
Date: 4/3/2006
Notes: The actual stamps are regular “Japan Post” stamps and attached to rouletted Super Mario labels. Despite having like 8 bucks worth of regular stamps, this has always been an expensive sheet, like 100 bucks or more. Limited edition, preorder only. Comes in a hardcover folder.
Link: None
Scott Numbers: 2914K and 2914L
 

Name: Angry Birds Happy Easter
Country: Australia
Denomination: 60c
Date: 4/1/2013
Notes: Balloon stamps alternated with Angry Birds stickers
Link: None
Scott Number: 3616

 

Name: Angry Birds Happy Halloween
Country: Australia
Denomination: 60c
Date: 10/1/2013
Notes: Eucalyptus stamps alternated with Angry Birds stickers
Link: None
Scott Number: 3846

 

Name: Angry Birds Seasons Greetings
Country: Australia
Denomination: 60c
Date: 11/1/2013
Notes: Christmas candle stamps alternated with Angry Birds labels
Link: None
Scott Number: 4016
 

Name: Angry Birds Valentine’s Day
Country: Australia
Denomination: 60c
Date: 2/4/2014
Notes: Rose petal stamps alternated with Angry Birds labels
Link: None
Scott Number: 3849
 

Name: Tomb Raider
Country: United Kingdom
Denomination: 1st / 1.55
Date: 1/21/2020
Notes: Ten Tomb Raider labels next to the above stamps
Link: https://shop.royalmail.com/special-stamp-issues/video-games/video-games-generic-sheet

 

2011 Belgian NSMB Wii labels: https://mynintendonews.com/2011/01/16/nintendo-new-super-mario-bros-wii-belgian-postage-stamps/

Other

 

There are collectible stamps that aren’t postage stamps, like a whole great range of Pokemon stamps from Shogakukan magazine. Neat, but out of scope for this guide.

 

Maybe the Nintendo Super Power Stamps deserve a mention.

 

Another Bill Gates stamp. Issue acknowledged by the postal authorities of São Tomé and Príncipe, but only distributed by São Tomé's philatelic agent for collecting purposes.
https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/848223-Harvard_University_John_F_Kennedy_Bill_Gates-Famous_Universities_and_Alumnis-S%C3%A3o_Tom%C3%A9_and_Pr%C3%ADncipe

 

This kid looks suspiciously like he’s playing a game and they whooshed it out with the white trail. Not sure.
https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/416372-Computer_Club-20th_Anniversary_of_Joven_Computer_Club-Cuba

 

I know it’s a computer stamp but when I see a Commodore 64 I think games
https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/520966-The_changes_in_Everyday_Finland-100_Years_of_independence-Finland

 

In the 90s VR wasn’t as synonymous with video games, but this guy is still rad.
https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/85214-Achievements_of_XX_Century_Computers-Technology-Russia

 

Uganda has a small set commemorating Deep Blue vs Garry Kasparov. Not exactly a video game, but closer than you’ll get for most stamps. There are a few Deep Blue stamps but this one shows a Java game interface which I think is neat.

https://www.wnsstamps.post/en/stamps/UG080.12

 

 

Illegal Stamps

Holy crap, illegal stamps, sounds rad! Stamps are arguably worse than video games. Not only are there counterfeit stamps, there are entirely fake stamps created to fool collectors. These stamps have a printed country and denomination, but were never issued by an actual government entity. It’s literally just some guy printing something that looks like a stamp from an African country or small island nation. Most of these are easy to spot and look awful, but some look even better than real stamps. These are very common in online catalogs and dealers, so you can’t assume that if you see a dealer listing for a stamp that it’s “real”.

A great primer on illegal stamps: http://golowesstamps.com/reference/Illegal%20Stamps/illegal_stamps.htm

I can’t list all the illegal stamps. 90s-00s pop culture stamps are a very common type and they’re still being produced, so there are tons. Here are a few examples:
 

This Chun-Li set purporting to be from the Central African Republic is an example of a very attractive set that comes in a folder (it’s even sealed with a little Capcom sticker). While CAR issuing info is lacking, it is missing from reputable catalogs and very likely illegal.

 

Lots of Pokemon sheets like this are arguably better looking than real Pokemon stamps from minor countries. They claim to be from countries like Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan, and Tadjikistan. 100% fake.

 

 

Many, many ridiculous low quality things like this come from Ebay

Edited February 25 by DefaultGen

[Philosoraptor | 468]

Honestly, I'm shocked that there aren't more Pokemon stamps. Seeing the Ragnarok Online, Maple Story, and Mabinogi stamps from South Korea was a massive nostalgia bomb. It gives me the warm fuzzies.

Great content, @DefaultGen! Thanks for this list!

 

[DefaultGen | 5,396]

17 minutes ago, Philosoraptor said:

Honestly, I'm shocked that there aren't more Pokemon stamps. Seeing the Ragnarok Online, Maple Story, and Mabinogi stamps from South Korea was a massive nostalgia bomb. It gives me the warm fuzzies.

Great content, @DefaultGen! Thanks for this list!

 

There are dozens and dozens of illegal ones. I thought most of the real ones were illegal until looking them up in catalogues because they mostly look horrible, but that's just the early 2000s graphic design speaking. My guess is that countries really don't like promoting commercial products, especially foreign commercial products, on their postage. Many of the stamps that do show specific games show a game very closely tied to that country (USA: Defender, Korea: MMOs, Japan: Mario and Street Fighter, Finland: Angry Birds, UK: All UK-developed games, Sweden: Minecraft, Poland: The Witcher, Spain: La Abadía del Crimen).

It's also probably that old people like and use stamps more often. I sorted through so many wooden toys, teddy bears, and traditional crap like that while finding these.

Edited January 21, 2020 by DefaultGen

[captmorgandrinker | 1,649]

Also, it's rare to find a video game collector to give a flying fuck about stamps.   I had a bunch of the Japanese Mario stamps from 2017, and it was like pulling teeth to get those to move at $10 for the sheet.

[Philosoraptor | 468]

31 minutes ago, DefaultGen said:

There are dozens and dozens of illegal ones. I thought most of the real ones were illegal until looking them up in catalogues because they mostly look horrible, but that's just the early 2000s graphic design speaking. My guess is that countries really don't like promoting commercial products, especially foreign commercial products, on their postage. Many of the stamps that do show specific games show a game very closely tied to that country (USA: Defender, Korea: MMOs, Japan: Mario and Street Fighter, Finland: Angry Birds, UK: All UK-developed games, Sweden: Minecraft, Poland: The Witcher, Spain: La Abadía del Crimen).

It's also probably that old people like and use stamps more often. I sorted through so many wooden toys, teddy bears, and traditional crap like that while finding these.

I think that's a good hypothesis, especially for other countries. I don't know if that applies to Japan, but I do know that the Japanese love their mascots, so much so that every prefecture has one, if not multiple mascots, and many Japanese companies do, too. Pikachu in particular was the mascot for Japan's 2014 World Cup (soccer) team. Also, merchandise sales make up almost two-thirds of the $95 billion dollars in revenue Pokemon has made since it's inception. So, armed with that knowledge, I figured Japan would have more Pokemon stamps than they actually have. It's surprising in a good way.

Also, the last mascot on that page I linked is literally a toilet-headed blues singer sitting on a toilet. Now you know that exists. You're welcome. 

[DefaultGen | 5,396]

1 minute ago, Philosoraptor said:

Also, the last mascot on that page I linked is literally a toilet-headed blues singer sitting on a toilet. Now you know that exists. You're welcome. 

Well I wasn't sure if I was going to click at first but you got me.

[MuNKeY | 241]

9 minutes ago, Philosoraptor said:

Also, the last mascot on that page I linked is literally a toilet-headed blues singer sitting on a toilet. Now you know that exists. You're welcome.

 

8 minutes ago, DefaultGen said:

Well I wasn't sure if I was going to click at first but you got me.

*click*

[DoctorEncore | 3,690]

Cool! Nice work!

[Ryan | 11]

This is super impressive work.  Really interesting stuff seeing what small portions of video game history actually made it onto a stamp.  With that said I hope to never buy one myself! 

[snk2d4ever | 96]

Collectors Quest sent me.

[PineappleLawnchair | 88]

Is stamp collecting, like, an actual thing. I haven't heard anyone talk about "stamp" and "collectable" in the same sentence in decades, except maaaaaybe the post office.

 

Edited February 1, 2020 by PineappleLawnchair

[Tulpa | 3,488]

7 minutes ago, PineappleLawnchair said:

Is stamp collecting, like, an actual thing. I haven't heard anyone talk about "stamp" and "collectable" in the same sentence in decades, except maaaaaybe the post office.

 

Yes, it's actually still as vibrant as its ever been.

[MiamiSlice | 3,089]

I have the Ireland Game Icons set and the UK set that was just released. Great list. Never realized there were so many! Also if anyone has that Japan Super Mario Bros set (the first one on this list, not the second one) I want it!

[Strange | 1,700]

Hey guys, I guess this is our official stamp thread and I’m going to take the time to tell you that the USPS is in deep shit and our government has openly said they will not support it and be happy to let it die. How can you help? Buy stamps on the USPS store website.

They’re cheap.

There’s a collecting scene around them.

We’re all a bunch of OCD nerds who like to collect things. And now we can say it’s for a good cause.

[BirdDogGaming | 218]

Ordered these from France to add to the Rayman collection. This my first time looking at your list, though. Great work @DefaultGen.

[fcgamer | 4,719]

On 1/22/2020 at 4:17 AM, captmorgandrinker said:

Also, it's rare to find a video game collector to give a flying fuck about stamps.   I had a bunch of the Japanese Mario stamps from 2017, and it was like pulling teeth to get those to move at $10 for the sheet.

You still have any more of those? I remember trying to order some back then, but there was some issue between me and the seller due to combined shipping so it never happened.

[fcgamer | 4,719]

I love this list though, glad I stopped by this thread today, thanks @DefaultGen for this .

 

Really love the illegal stamps too, maybe time to grab me some of those Pokemon ones.

[captmorgandrinker | 1,649]

3 hours ago, fcgamer said:

You still have any more of those? I remember trying to order some back then, but there was some issue between me and the seller due to combined shipping so it never happened.

I might, actually.   Next time I'm in my show bins I'll take a look.

[fcgamer | 4,719]

Just now, captmorgandrinker said:

I might, actually.   Next time I'm in my show bins I'll take a look.

Awesome, I'd gladly purchase two sets of you have them. I'd like a set for myself, and I'd like to fit a set to my local contact here, his English name is Stamp. He is a great friend of mine, he used to collect stamps but later sold most of his collection after falling on hard times (he owns a used book shop, and no one buys books anymore). 

Our friendship built when he started selling antiques to supplement his meagre bookstore earnings, and of course then he would save the gaming stuff for me. 

So something like this I think really encapsulates our friendship, so if you do happen to have a few extras, I'd gladly take them off your hands.