Stamp Collecting Guide

While you can certainly begin the enjoyable hobby of stamp collecting without purchasing any stamp collecting supplies at all, at some point, as your collection grows and you become more serious about it, it makes sense to invest in some tools. Stamp collecting supplies can not only protect the value and condition of your collection but can also make the process much easier and enjoyable for you as well. Read on to find out more about tools that can assist you with your collection and what to look for when buying supplies. One of the great benefits of stamp collecting is that the tools used in this hobby are not terribly expensive. Some stamp collecting supplies you will need include stamp mounts and stamp hinges. These are used to hold your stamps in your stamp albums or stamp books. If you are concerned about possibly damaging the original gum on the stamp, which can affect the value, it is best to use stamp mounts. Be aware that stamp mounts are more expensive than hinges so you might want to use them only for the more expensive stamps in your collection. Stamp hinges are stamp collecting supplies that contain gum and are used to attach the stamps onto the pages of your stamp albums or books. These tools take their names from the actual hinges which work rather like a door. Unlike stamp mounts, they are quite inexpensive and are good for general collections that are not very valuable. Other stamp collecting supplies you will want to consider include the actual books and albums in which to store your stamps. These tools keep your stamps not only organized but also secure. When you are shopping for stamp collecting supplies, look for an album that contains thick pages. This is important, especially if you are going to be handling your album a lot; which is likely for an active collector. You should also look for an album that contains plenty of space. In addition, keep in mind that the binding of the album should be strong and sturdy. Finally, look for acid-free pages that won’t damage your stamps. Two other important stamp collecting supplies include a good pair of stamp tongs and a magnifying glass. Stamp tongs resemble tweezers; however, they have a rounded edge rather than a sharp edge to prevent damage to the delicate paper of the stamps. They are used to handle the stamps so that oil and dirt from your fingers are not transferred to the stamps. If you have a collection with expensive stamps, tongs should be used. While tongs are available in steel and plastic, steel is generally better. A magnifying glass is used to examine a collection for quality and condition. Look for a magnifying glass that will allow you to see everything clearly. Due to the facto that perforation can strongly impact the value of some stamps, you may also want to consider acquiring a perforation gauge. This stamp collecting tool is used to measure the number of curves on a stamp. Other stamp collecting supplies, such as a watermark detector, can also be handy. This tool will allow the collector to see the patterns embossed on the stamp; which can indicate when the stamp was issued. Finally, you may also want to consider acquiring a good quality stamp catalog. This tool can provide a wealth of information regarding origin and value of your stamps as you build your collection. Making sure you have the right stamp collecting supplies on hand can help make the process of collecting stamps easier and more enjoyable.