Ofec

I realize this is a big topic for a relatively small group, but I am wondering if you've given a thought to what an OFEC (One From Each Country) philatelic list would look like to you.

Is anyone actively engaged in an OFEC collection? How did you develop your list? Are there any good online guides you use?

What constitutes a country to you? Do the stamps have to be (or have been) postally usable?

I know I'm leaving out some questions--I just downloaded and printed a list of postage issuers from Wikipedia and am trying to narrow the list down.

Any and all discussions in this area welcome! Thanks for reading, thinking, and hopefully responding.

The First Issues Collectors Club promotes the collection of the first postage stamp issued by any nation, province, city, army or other entity that has, at any time, issued postage stamps. They maintain an online list of the first issues of all stamp issuing entities.

That's a great website. It answers many of the questions I have. I'm still stuck with some perplexing decisions, such as how to deal with colonies that later become independent, or significant changes in government. That is a very good place to start, though.