Olympic Games postage stamps South Korea Seoul year 1988 collection
South Korea’s philatelic program for the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics was one of the most extensive in history. Because these were the first Games held in South Korea, the Ministry of Communications released dozens of stamps starting as early as 1985 to fund and promote the event.
1. The Core Collection (1985–1988)
The collection is typically organized into several “series” based on the year of release. Most collectors aim for the complete set of 32 stamps, often sold in official presentation albums.
| Series | Common Disciplines Featured | Format |
| I & II (1985-86) | Soccer, Basketball, Wrestling, Volleyball | 80w and 100w values |
| III & IV (1987) | Table Tennis, Archery, Shooting, Taekwondo | Often issued as semi-postals (e.g., 80+20w) |
| Final (1988) | Gymnastics, Athletics, Swimming, Hodori (Mascot) | The most common commemoratives |
- The Mascot: Stamps featuring Hodori, the orange tiger mascot, are the most recognizable.
- The Logo: Many issues prominently feature the Sam-Taegeuk (the tri-colored fan design).
2. Formats & Special Issues
The 1988 collection is famous for its variety of formats beyond standard single stamps:
- Souvenir Sheets: Almost every major stamp was also issued as a single-stamp souvenir sheet with decorative margins.
- Sheetlets of 4: Many sports were released in small blocks of four (se-tenant).
- The “Gold Plated” or Foil Stamps: South Korea released a premium set of Gold Foil stamps. These are not standard postage but are high-value collector items often found in velvet-lined boxes.
- Official Albums: The government issued a large, navy blue or white hardbound “Official Stamp Album of the XXIVth Olympiad” which contains every stamp, souvenir sheet, and booklet issued for the Games.
3. International “Seoul” Issues
Because the 1988 Games were a massive global event, many other countries issued stamps for Seoul:
- USA: Issued a 25¢ stamp (Scott #2380) featuring a male gymnast on the rings.
- New Zealand: Released a set of four “Health” stamps featuring swimming, track, canoeing, and equestrian.
- Disney Issues: Nations like Grenada and the Maldives released sets featuring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck participating in the Seoul Games.
4. Market Value & Rarity
Despite their beauty, most 1988 Seoul stamps are very common because they were printed in massive quantities to meet global demand.
- Standard Set (Used/Mint): $5.00 – $15.00.
- Complete Official Album: Usually sells for $40.00 – $75.00 depending on the condition and if it includes the gold foil versions.
- Gold Foil Set: Can range from $50.00 to over $150.00 depending on the metal purity and packaging.
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