Kiloware Addiction

Stamp kiloware refers to bulk quantities of postage stamps sold by weight—typically in grams or kilograms—rather than by individual count. These stamps are usually clipped from envelopes and packages, often still attached to fragments of the original paper. For collectors, kiloware offers a treasure trove of variety, mystery, and the thrill of discovery, all at a relatively low cost.

So how do suppliers manage to gather such vast quantities? The answer lies in scale, networks, and a bit of old-fashioned sorting.

Many kiloware suppliers source their stamps from charities, businesses, and postal recycling programs. Charities often run stamp collection drives, encouraging supporters to donate used envelopes. These are then sold in bulk to dealers as a fundraising method. Businesses that handle large volumes of mail—like banks, law firms, or government offices—may also sell their used envelopes to stamp wholesalers rather than discard them.

Over time, suppliers build extensive networks of these sources, sometimes spanning multiple countries. For example, a supplier might receive regular shipments of envelopes from a charity in Germany, a postal sorting centre in Japan, and a corporate office in the UK. These are then processed—either left “on paper” (still attached to envelope fragments) or soaked and dried “off paper”—and packaged into kiloware lots.

Some dealers also purchase unsorted estate collections or surplus stock from other collectors. These can be mixed in with commercial kiloware to add variety or value. The result is a blend of common definitives, commemoratives, and the occasional rare or unusual find.

The appeal of kiloware lies in its unpredictability. You might find dozens of identical stamps—or stumble upon a scarce postmark, a foreign issue, or a design you’ve never seen before. For beginners, it’s a fun and affordable way to build a collection. For seasoned collectors, it’s a chance to hunt for hidden gems.

Just be warned: once you start sorting through a kilo of stamps, it’s surprisingly hard to stop. There’s always the sense that the next handful might hold something extraordinary.