Guide to Stamp Collection

Stamp collection offers gratification regardless of expertise or budget. Novices may enjoy albums adorned with beautiful stamps, while experienced collectors might find fascination in scrutinizing individual stamps or completing themed collections.

Initiate your collection with stamp packets. These affordable options, available from dealers and hobby stores, contain numerous used stamps, making them ideal for beginning a new collection. Ensure the packet comprises a diverse selection of stamps, avoiding duplicates.

Discover fresh stamp designs at your local post office. Explore the array of unused commemorative stamps available at any post office, often featuring designs that appeal to collectors. Whether you prefer pristine 'mint condition' stamps or enjoy the cancellation ink marks left by the post office on mail-used stamps, both types can enrich your collection.

Seek assistance from local businesses and friends to gather stamps. Businesses, particularly those with international connections, receive a significant amount of mail, while friends and family may be willing to collect stamps from the letters they receive and pass them on to you.

Cultivate a pen pal relationship. Engage in ongoing correspondence with a pen pal if you enjoy exchanging letters. Online pen pal websites can help you connect with individuals from other countries who may use stamps that are not commonly found.

Trade stamps with other enthusiasts. After sorting through several packets of stamps, you may have duplicates or stamps that do not interest you. Exchange these stamps with other collectors to diversify your collection. If you do not have friends or coworkers who collect stamps, inquire with employees and customers at local hobby shops or stamp dealers if they are interested in trading.

• When starting out, it is advisable to trade one stamp for another instead of focusing on market value. An exception is stamps that are torn, damaged, or heavily canceled with post office ink, which typically have a lower value than stamps in good condition.

Engage with a stamp collector's community. Connect with experienced collectors to exchange tips and stamps. Alternatively, consider attending stamp shows where enthusiasts showcase their collections and compete for prizes.

• If you wish to interact with more dedicated hobbyists, consider attending stamp shows where enthusiasts gather to showcase their prized collections and vie for awards.

Use stamp tongs for delicate handling. Invest in stamp tongs, available online or at hobby stores, to prevent damage caused by oils or moisture from your fingers. These tools, resembling tweezers but gentler, feature thin, rounded tips ideal for safely lifting stamps without risk of tearing.

Prepare stamps for removal from envelopes. If you're collecting cancellation marks or post office ink impressions, carefully cut out the paper around them. Otherwise, cut a small square around the stamp itself, as the following steps will address the remaining paper.

• Collectors often prioritize saving the most intriguing cancellation marks due to their space-consuming nature.

Utilize lukewarm water for soaking stamps. Submerge paper-backed stamps in a bowl of lukewarm water, allowing them to float face up. After 15–20 minutes, use stamp tongs to transfer them to a dry paper towel. Gently scrape off remaining paper, taking care not to peel the stamp, and avoid soaking stamps with brightly colored paper or purple ink marks in the same bowl to prevent bleeding.

• If paper residue persists, extend soaking time, but avoid peeling stamps off.

Rinse and air-dry stamps. After removing paper, rinse stamps in fresh water to eliminate residual adhesive. Allow stamps to air-dry overnight on paper towels. For curled stamps, sandwich them between paper towels and weigh them down with heavy books to flatten.

Detach self-adhesive stamps with air freshener. For self-adhesive stamps, like those issued in the U.S. since 2004, the conventional warm water method won't work. Instead, opt for a non-aerosol, 100% natural, citrus-based air freshener such as Pure Citrus or ZEP. Spray a small amount onto the paper attached to the stamps until it becomes translucent. Then, roll the corner of the paper, turn the stamp face up, and slowly peel it off. To eliminate the sticky residue, lightly wipe the back of the stamp with talcum powder.

Organize your collection. As you delve deeper into stamp collecting, consider focusing on a specific subset of stamps. Even within a broader collection, selecting a theme can aid organization. Consider these sorting options:

• Country — A common approach involves collecting stamps from different countries.
• Thematic collecting — Choose stamps with designs that resonate with you or explore subjects like butterflies, sports, famous figures, or airplanes.
• Color or shape — Sorting by color can create an aesthetically pleasing display, while hunting for stamps in unique shapes, such as triangles, can pose an intriguing challenge.

Invest in a stamp album. Protect your stamps and maintain their visibility and organization by storing them in stamp albums, also known as 'stock books.' Some albums feature printed images of stamps from specific countries or years, allowing you to place your stamps over these images as you collect.

• Choose between bound albums or binders with insertable pages. Albums with black backgrounds tend to highlight stamps more effectively.

Secure your stamps. Depending on your album, you can either slide stamps into plastic pockets or use specialized adhesive that won't damage them. Consider these methods:

• 'Hinges' consist of small folded pieces of paper or plastic. Apply moisture to one end, attach it to the stamp's back, then moisten the other end and affix it to the album. However, they're not recommended for valuable stamps.
• 'Mounts' are plastic sleeves, slightly more expensive but safer for your stamps. Place the stamp into the sleeve, moisten the back, and adhere it to the album.

Use plastic sheets to separate pages. To prevent stamps stored on both sides of album pages from rubbing or tearing, insert plastic sheets. Opt for protective plastics like Mylar, polyethylene, or polypropylene, avoiding vinyl sheets which offer inadequate long-term protection.

• Ensure your stamps are safeguarded against damage by utilizing appropriate plastic sheets.

Securely store your album. Protect your stamp collection from potential damage caused by humidity, excessive light, or temperature fluctuations. Avoid storing albums in hot attics or damp basements, and keep them away from exterior doors or concrete walls to prevent moisture intrusion. If storing near the floor, place the collection in a protective box.

Consult stamp collector reference books. Utilize stamp catalogs and price guides, which offer illustrated lists of stamps categorized by year, along with their current market values. Commonly recognized catalogs include the Scott Postage Stamp Catalog, Stanley Gibbons, Yvert et Tellier, Unitrade, Minkus, and Harris US/BNA.

• Access these resources from a large library if you prefer not to purchase them.

Inspect stamps with a magnifying glass. Given that many stamp designs feature subtle differences, magnifying glasses are indispensable tools for collectors. While small jeweler's loops suffice for most hobbyists, valuable or challenging-to-identify stamps may necessitate high-powered magnifying glasses with built-in colored light sources.

Utilize a perforation gauge. Advanced stamp collectors may find this tool indispensable for measuring the size of perforated holes along a stamp's edge. These gauges provide valuable information on perforation density, crucial for assessing the value of a stamp.

• Perforation gauges are particularly useful for discerning collectors seeking precise measurements.

Spot watermarks. Some stamps are printed on paper with subtle watermarks that are challenging to detect with the naked eye. For stamps reliant on watermarks for identification, use a specialized watermark detection fluid on a black tray to reveal them.

• This method can also unveil creases and hidden repairs on stamps.
• If avoiding moisture exposure is a concern, consider investing in dry detection tools like Sinoscopes or Roll-a-Tectors.

• Explore a variety of stamp cancellations, such as air mail or 'postage due,' to appreciate the diverse ink cancellations used by post offices.

• Stamp collecting can be highly competitive, leading to the need to remain vigilant against potential scams when trading with others.