With an incredible 1,444 items in his personal collection, Sergio Bodini (Italy) has the world’s largest collection of newspapers – different titles.

At the time of confirmation, Sergio’s collection was made up of newspapers from 115 different countries – just under two thirds of all the countries in the world.

Sergio started his collection when he was a 10-year-old boy in 1980. Initially he kept them in his bedroom but as he’s gathered more and more, they’re kept in plastic boxes which are stored in a temperature-controlled cellar.

“When I was in school we had a class project about newspapers and I fell in love with journalism. My dream was to become a sport journalist… but I eventually ended up being a chemist.”

“I still never lost my curiosity and passion towards newspapers though. I simply love them! When I’m arranging my collection and renewing the inventory I feel really good. I love the idea of having tangible proof of memories like honeymoons, business trips, holidays, etc.”

The incredible thing is that truly every newspaper has more than a story within and it is fascinating reading them and discovering old events, or reading about the common ideas of political situations at that time.

A journalist from Corriere della Sera, a major Italian newspaper, came to interview me and photograph my collection, but unfortunately the news was never published.