4 Stamp Collections for Stamp Enthusiasts

14/05/202614/05/2026 adminaccount

Enes Yoldaş

Sometimes, longing for the past is not only preserved in old photographs or stories, but also in small and silent objects. Stamps are one of these objects. In this article, we explore four stamp collections that will take you back in time. Our first stop is the PTT Stamp Museum, located in the heart of Ulus Square in Ankara. Our second stop is Eski Zaman, situated inside Aynalı Çarşı in Tunalı, Ankara. While the PTT Stamp Museum, which you can visit free of charge, presents stamp collecting not just as a hobby but almost as a way of reading history, Eski Zaman highlights nostalgia through its political and ideological collections. Our third stop is Aylak Vintage, located in Kızılay, Ankara, which stands out with its city-themed stamps and reflects the colorful texture of the past in a more everyday way. Here, it is possible to see stamp collections from many cities across Türkiye. Our final stop is Kamer Stamp House in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, known for its rich diversity of collections. Hosting special and even award-winning collections, this place presents the passion for stamps in its most tangible and vibrant form. Let’s explore together the small stories waiting for you on the shelves of each stop.

Collections Witnessing History: PTT Stamp Museum

Our first stop is the PTT Stamp Museum, a place like a time capsule hidden in the middle of Ankara. It reminds visitors that stamp collecting is not only a hobby but also a way of reading history. Thousands of stamps displayed in glass cases tell the story of different periods of Türkiye through small yet meaningful frames. The museum houses a large archive collection on its first and second floors, renewed every six months. This archive includes a wide range of collections, from the early years of the Republic to sports-themed series, from portraits of Atatürk to stamps focused on art, culture, and nature. These special collections are displayed in pull-out drawers built into the walls, allowing visitors to physically engage with archives that have witnessed history.

In addition to this archive, stamps representing important events in the history of the Republic of Türkiye are permanently exhibited in showcases on the first floor. Collections from the Ottoman period, the War of Independence, and the Republican era are presented in chronological order. There are also more recent stamps reflecting Türkiye’s contemporary history and cultural developments. For example, stamps dedicated to national sports events from the 2000s or special series celebrating Republic Day on October 29 offer visitors the chance to see past and present side by side, both in design and historical context.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the museum is that visitors are not limited to being observers. There is also a small shop where you can design and print your own stamp. This way, while looking at the past, you can also create your own small memory.

For anyone interested in history and stamp collecting, the PTT Stamp Museum is an essential stop filled with countless stories waiting to be discovered. If you ever find yourself in Ulus Square, don’t forget to visit this museum where you can create unforgettable memories—completely free of charge.

Address: Hacı Bayram, Atatürk Blvd No:13, 06050 Altındağ/Ankara

Contact: +90 312 509 42 09

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 09:00–16:50

Saturday / Sunday: 09:00–16:50

Fee: 💸💸💸💸💸

Accessibility: 🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌

Variety: ✉️✉️✉️✉️✉️

A Mirror of the Past: Eski Zaman

Our second stop is Eski Zaman, located in Tunalı, a place that takes you away from the hustle of the city into the calm atmosphere of the past. Situated inside Aynalı Çarşı, Eski Zaman showcases not only stamps but also various objects and nostalgic items from the past.

The stamps displayed here mostly feature political themes. Portraits of important statesmen, as well as special series dedicated to national celebrations and historical events, are presented in small frames. Here, stamps are not just labels but also serve as an archive reflecting Türkiye’s political and social memory.

In addition, there are stamps that offer glimpses into everyday life of the past; for example, postal marks from the 1950s, old fiscal stamps, or local series depicting cities and villages. These provide visitors with both a visual and historical experience, further enriched by the nostalgic objects within the shop.

As you step inside, colorful Republic-era stamp series themed around leaders immediately catch your attention. While examining these collections, you realize that stamps are actually micro-documents. An election year, a national holiday, an international success… Stamps depicting Türkiye’s national sports achievements or important theater and opera performances stand out with their vivid colors and figurative designs. All of these are contained within the tiny surface of a single stamp. For stamp enthusiasts interested in Türkiye’s political history, Eski Zaman is truly a place worth discovering.

Address: Kavaklıdere, Tunalı Hilmi Cd. Aynalı Çarşı No:89/17, 06680 Çankaya/Ankara

Contact: +90 532 722 13 99

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 10:00–20:00

Saturday: 10:00–20:00

Sunday: Closed

Fee: 💸💸💸💸

Accessibility: 🚌🚌🚌🚌

Variety: ✉️✉️✉️✉️

Türkiye in Small Frames: Aylak Vintage

Our third stop is a vintage shop located in Kızılay. Aylak Vintage reveals the more everyday and warm side of stamp collecting. Here, stamps depicting cities of Türkiye stand out. From Şanlıurfa to Antalya, symbols and landscapes of different cities come to life within small frames. The collection includes stamps featuring Istanbul’s mosques as well as series portraying various cities across the country. Looking at these stamps feels like reading Türkiye’s geography and cultural diversity as if it were a map.The shop also includes Atatürk-themed stamp series printed in different years, offering an interesting diversity in both design and historical context.

These stamps are displayed mixed together in a small box. At first glance, it may seem difficult to find a specific stamp. However, during this search, you encounter many different stamps—sometimes a mosque silhouette, sometimes a city landscape—taking you on a small journey across Türkiye. Each stamp in the box feels like a tiny memory opening the door to another city or another time. If you are looking for more contemporary and city-themed stamps, don’t forget to visit this place in the heart of Kızılay.

Address: Kocatepe Mah., Meşrutiyet Cd., Hatay Sk. No:18, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara

Contact: +90 553 020 24 74

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 10:00–20:00

Saturday / Sunday: 12:30–20:00

Fee: 💸💸💸💸💸

Accessibility: 🚌🚌🚌

Variety: ✉️✉️✉️

A Life Dedicated to Collecting: Kamer Stamp House

Our final stop is Kamer Stamp House, a place representing a life devoted to collecting. It was first established in 1942 by Kamer Arıkan, the father of Arman Arıkan. After his father’s passing in 1983, Arman Arıkan took over all responsibilities—not just as a continuation, but as a process of further development. Today, Kamer Stamp House hosts stamps across countless themes: from Mars to space, from Cappadocia to Turkish sports history, from birds and plants to art and history. The collection includes not only Turkish stamps but also stamps from Belgium, Hungary, and many other countries. Whether displayed in showcases or preserved in albums, these stamps form an almost limitless archive.

The “80th anniversary” collections also stand out as symbols of this long history. These collections are not only preserved but also evaluated by special juries. Selected collections are exhibited, and valuable stamps receive medals. Arman Arıkan himself has been awarded many medals. One of his most remarkable international memories took place in 1999 in Melbourne, Australia—a personalized stamp prepared specifically for him, bearing the phrase “The World First Personalized Stamps by Australia Post.” This piece is considered one of the first personalized stamps in the world and symbolizes his place in the philately world.

For Arman Arıkan, stamps are no different from flowers:“If flowers are not watered, they wither—stamps are the same,” he says.“If you don’t take care of them, they stick to the album. Thanks to stamps, he has traveled to almost every continent, visited countless countries, and added new stories to his life with each journey. Today, Kamer Stamp House is not just a shop but a tangible reflection of a lifetime, a passion, and a tradition in Beyoğlu. Arman Arıkan’s journey, which began in childhood, continues with the same excitement. If you want to explore these unique collections, be sure to visit Kamer Stamp House—many themed stamps are waiting for you inside.

Address: Şahkulu, Galip Dede Cd. No:43, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul

Contact: +90 212 244 09 36