Instructions for obtaining free stamps:

FREE used USA stamps (Set #16) & FREE worldwide stamps (set #17)

(scroll down further for instructions)

--> July 23, 2024 UPDATE:  Stamps are still available, but to give as many people a chance at getting these stamps, please limit your requests to 1 per 6 months.

--> August 9, 2023 UPDATE:  Above are shown the free stamps that I'm giving away (see further below for details).  The left tub is set #16, which is "used USA stamps" and the right tub is set #17, which "worldwide stamps".   Set #17 was previously shown on one of my "webs.com" websites, but all those sites are being shut down by the owner of webs.com on August 31, 2023.

--> January 29, 2023 UPDATE:  Stamps are still available!

--> April 23, 2022 UPDATE:  Stamps I've given away previously that were obtained from the APS have been exhausted earlier in 2022, and the stamps I am giving away now are provided courtesy of our local stamp club (Mid-Cities Stamp Club), which in turn has received these stamps as donations from various individuals and/or stamp dealers.   The picture above is an example of what is in my tub of used USA stamps.   Since "Set#15" consisted of stamps provided by the APS, and I am now sending stamps given to me by our stamp club (which in turn came from stamp dealer donations), I'll call these "Set #16".

REMINDER:  If you visit the Mid-Cities Stamp Club's "Beginning Collector" table at our annual stamp show (always the 2nd weekend in November,  at the Grapevine, Texas Convention Center), we have more free stamps (and sometimes some supplies) available for beginning collectors.

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--> April 23, 2022  UPDATE:  all previous stamps sets #1 - #15 are no longer available!   However, Set#17 (previously called set#14) is still available via my other website at http://stvincentstamps.webs.com/freestuff.htm [Note: 5/3/2024: this site no longer available as webs.com owner Vistaprint shut down all free websites in 2023).

--> October 2, 2021 UPDATE:  This will be the last of the APS-provided stamps that I'll be giving away, as the APS has stated that they will no longer provide them.  I have enough of these to last a little while though.  Once I run out of these USA stamps, I'll change this webpage...

--> February 5, 2021 update:  I still have plenty of stamps to give away.  I have moved this webpage from webs.com to this website (which I own) at BetweenThePerfs.com.

--> September 20, 2020 update: I have received more stamps from the APS! So there's lots more to give away!

--> February 2, 2020 UPDATE:  all previous stamps sets #1 - #13 are now gone!

The stamps that you will receive will be selected at random from the boxes shown in the picture above; I will simply grab one or two handfuls of stamps from the box and insert them into an envelope (either mine or yours).  I will not count stamps or chose particular types of stamps (please do not ask). Please see instructions below for requesting the free stamps!

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The picture above shows the box of the USA stamps that I have;  you will receive a random selection of approx. 150 - 180 stamps from this box.

The stamps in "USA set#16" are:

• All USA stamps (although a few foreign stamps may be accidentally present...)
• Condition:  used/cancelled
• Commemoratives & Definitives (from the 1920's to 1980's, but mostly on the older side...)
• There will be some duplication, and many stamps may have hinge remnants on the back and possibly have pencil markings (such as a catalog number) from previous owners
• Stamps are generally in good condition (and I have already spent several hours removing really badly damaged stamps, but I can not guarantee that all stamps are flawless); you will receive a random selection that I will put into an envelope (either yours or mine)  150 - 180 stamps (generally until it reaches close to 1 ounce
• These are basic used USA stamps suitable for anyone beginning a collection of USA stamps

The stamps in "Worldwide set#17" are:

• Worldwide stamps (generally NO USA stamps)
• Condition:  a mixture of mint & used stamps, since most came from older stamp albums, some will have "hinge remnants" on the back
• Types of stamps:  both commemorative & definitive stamps
• Stamps are generally in good condition (and I have already spent several hours removing really badly damaged stamps, but I can not guarantee that all stamps are flawless); you will receive a random selection that I will put into an envelope (either yours or mine) 150 - 180 stamps (generally until it reaches close to 1 ounce
• There may be some duplication

-->  Instructions for obtaining the free USA stamps (set #16)

or Worldwide stamps (set #17):

The key thing to remember is that these stamps are free to everyone, but if you can not pick them up in person here in the Dallas, Texas area you will have to reimburse me for the postage to mail these (since I have received over 1,400 requests for free stamps in the past 13 years, and thus I can not afford to pay postage for everyone on the planet... my budget simply does not allow for it). 

--> The information below may seem lengthy, but everything you need to know is there, so there's no need to e-mail me with questions!

--> You can request both sets #16 & #17, but this WILL require 2 separate return envelopes.  The reason is that stamps can make an envelope thick very quickly and thus will not qualify as letter mail by the USPS if over 6 mm (¼ inch) thick.

1) If you reside in the United States:

• Send a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE, a "business size#10 envelope is preferred!) containing 73¢ of US stamps or one "Forever" stamp to:

Peter Elias                                                  OR:                Peter Elias 

attn: Free USA stamp set#16                                            attn: Free Worldwide stamp set#17

PO Box 940427                                                                 PO Box 940427

Plano, TX 75094-0427                                                       Plano, TX 75094-0427

--> Be sure to let me know WHICH set to send, as I have 2 different ones!

--> Be sure to use a commemorative stamp on your envelope to me (hey, I collect stamps too and it would be nice see some recent commemorative stamps on in-bound mail !   

Note:  Please do NOT send "small" envelopes (such as #6¾ size) as this will result in me being able to send less stamps, so I highly suggest that you use a "business size, #10" envelope for the return envelope.

or:

2) If you reside outside of the United States:

I realize that people outside the USA will have more difficulties in providing a way to pay for return postage, which is presently $1.65 for basic airmail service up to 28 grams (1 ounce ), so here are the choices that I deem acceptable:

Please send:

• 1 IRC (International Reply Coupon) which must NOT have expired. You can go to the following Universal Postal Union (UPU) website to see if your country's post offices are supposed to be selling IRC's:  http://www.upu.int/en/activities/international-reply-coupons/countries-selling-ircs.html or:
• Mint (uncancelled) USA stamps (with full gum or self-adhesive backing in place) adding up to $1.65 or:
• €2.00 in Euro coins or: 
• sFr 2.00 in Swiss (Switzerland) coins or:
• $2 in US banknotes
• Send any one of the above to:

Peter Elias                                           OR:            Peter Elias

attn: Free USA Stamp set#16                                attn: Free Worldwide Stamp set#17

PO Box 940427                                                      PO Box 940427

Plano, TX 75094-0427    USA                                Plano, TX 75094-0427    USA

or alternatively:

• PayPal (https://www.paypal.com) payment for US $2.30 sent to info@stvincentstamps.com .   The reason I'm asking for $2.30  is that PayPal will charge me receiving fees, resulting in the $1.70 that I need for postage and and envelope costs to mail you the stamps.  Please note that PayPal may give you a choice in sending funds in various currencies; due to the high conversion rates, I can only accept PayPal payments in US Dollars (if you send funds in other currencies, I will refuse or return the payment).   
• Be sure to let me know your mailing address!
• For your convenience, if you want to use PayPal, you can use the PayPal buttons at the bottom of this page.   But note that these PayPal options are intended for foreign mailings (that have higher rates than items mailed within the USA).

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-->  Other important notes regarding obtaining the free stamps:

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING USING USA "FOREVER" STAMPS as POSTAGE:   If you are using USA "FOREVER" stamps and purchased these for a large discount from their face value (presently 73¢ each), then there is a chance that these are counterfeit stamps.  The US Postal Service has announced that any mail piece that is franked with counterfeit (or suspected counterfeit) postage will simply be destroyed (and will not be returned to the sender nor forwarded with postage due) --> See the USPS website here for more details:  https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Counterfeit-Postage.   If this is the case, I can not be held responsible for mail pieces deemed to have counterfeit postage by the USPS if your submitted SASE contains these (same holds true with the postage you use to mail me the SASE).  All stamps that I personally apply to envelopes comes either from the US Post Office directly and/or from old stamp collections.

• You must state the set # in the address (example, "free USA stamp set #16" OR "free Worldwide stamp set #17"), otherwise I will not know what to send you... 
• In the off-chance that I am completely out of the set that you are requesting, I will send the next set that I have once it becomes available. 
• Please write legibly!  If I can not read your handwriting, neither can the US Postal Service mail processing equipment! 
• While the stamps in each set are not identical; so please do not send in for additional sets of the same number, as I want to make sure that as many people as possible can get these stamps.
• Each set requires separate postage due to weight and envelope size, weight & thickness requirements
• Do NOT send any stamps in trade, I do not want any.
• These stamps are best suited for youth or beginning adult collectors; they are a great way to add some nice stamps to your collection. 
• Do not use or send me previously used or uncancelled US stamps on your stamped return envelopes. Why? Because it is a federal criminal offense here in the USA to re-use previously used but uncancelled stamps, and since it will appear to the US Postal Service that I would have put these stamps on the envelope, I could potentially be subject to criminal penalties. So, if you send me an envelope with what appears to be previously used or uncancelled stamps on them, your request for free stamps will be ignored.   
• IF you use USA "FOREVER" stamps that have been purchased at a great discount on either your outbound or return envelope, there is a possibility that these are fake.  If that ends up being the case, the US Postal Service has stated that it is starting to NOT not deliver mail containing fake stamps nor return them to the sender.
• Please use commemorative stamps on your letters to me. I am a collector as well.  Do not use common or definitive stamps.  Since I am going through a lot of effort to give these stamps away, the least you can do is use a commemorative stamp on your letter to me!
• Remember that sending cash (coins or banknotes) through the mail is at your own risk. I simply offer this as a convenient alternative to sending an SASE, using US stamps or sending an IRC if you do not reside in the USA.
• You can contact me via e-mail if you'd like, but only if there are some extenuating circumstances.  There's no need to reserve these stamps, I will have enough to go around for quite a while.  If the supply is getting close to be depleted, I will update this this page (or delete it if I am totally out of stamps).
• Please keep in mind that some foreign mail can take quite a while to reach me (or my mail to reach you),  so please be patient.
• Only one request for each set per person or household.   So yes, you can request BOTH sets, but please enclose 2 envelopes (or postage for 2 envelopes ).
• I am not responsible for items lost / stolen in the mails; this does happen unfortunately from time to time. The stamps are sent via regular 1st class mail or airmail the day after I receive your request. 

--> Requests without return postage (either as a SASE, IRC, PayPal, stamps or cash) will NOT be honored !  Unfortunately I can not afford the postage to mail free stamps to hundreds or many thousands of people around the world.  As a note: since I started doing this over 13+ years ago, the postage costs for mailing the over 1,400 envelopes that I have mailed in that time would have cost me over US $1,200 ! ... and unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money to spend on postage for giving away stamps to people all over the world.   

Please use the  PayPal buttons below to pay for postage for the free stamps (or follow the instructions above for submitting via postal mail).  Thank You!

Please note that I am not interested in any sort of trading, since my own collecting & exhibiting specialties are outside of what the average collector has to offer... To get an idea of what I collect and exhibit, please feel free to browse around the rest of this website; that should give you a good idea of what I actually collect & exhibit.....