The Minuteman Album---a good starter album for the collector of U.S. stamps. |
Scott's basic album for the collector of the stamps of Canada. |
Scott's album for United Nations
stamps. Interested in this item?
Click here. |
The looseleaf Scott National Album, the standard album for the serious specialist in
United States stamps. |
The H.E. Harris Statesman Album Kit...a good starter outfit for the collector of worldwide
stamps. |
Examples of two important catalogs used by specialists: the Michel catalog published in
Germany and the Sanabria catalog for the collector of worldwide airmail stamps. |
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One of the many magnifiers (this one with a battery-powered light) used by philatelists.
Looking for supplies like this?
Click here. |
A metal perforation gauge. Metal should be the material of choice for the manufacture of
perforation gauges...as they do not shrink over time as with one printed on paper or
plastic. Looking for supplies like this?
Click here. |
A stockbook that has clear vinyl "pockets" where
stamps can be stored (without using any hinge or mounting device) for easy viewing and
access.
Looking for supplies like this?
Click here. |
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Essential
Tools and Supplies
For the Stamp Collector...
- An Album. Basic albums that have illustrated spaces for worldwide stamps, U.S. stamps,
topicals (animals, railroads, Olympics, etc.) and types of stamps like plate blocks and
coils.
- Hinges or safe vinyl stamp mounts that are used to mount stamps into the albums.
- Stamp tongs (tweezers specially made for the handling of stamps). By handling stamps
with tongs, the collector keeps from damaging the collectibles.
- Stamp catalogs. These comprehensive publications not only state the current value of
stamps, but also help one identify them and receive basic instruction on collecting them.
- A magnifier that allows one to more closely examine not only a stamp's features, but
also its condition.
- A perforation gauge. The perforations between stamps on a sheet not only aid one in
separating them, but these perforations also come in different types and sizes---and
determining them aids one in identifying which stamp is which. Sometimes two or more
stamps may look alike, but each may have a different perforation type and/or size.
- A watermark detector which allows one to view the "watermark" (or hidden
imprint) that was made on the paper on which a stamp is printed. Again, two or more stamps
may look alike, but have different (or no) watermarks.
- Color Guides. There are several publications available that will help the collector
identify the various colors used on stamps from around the world.
- A stockbook. In some ways similar to albums, except that these are simple storage
devices where stamps can be placed in clear pockets on pages for easy sorting and viewing.
- Glassine envelopes. These come in many sizes and are used to store and help sort stamps.
- Stamp Periodicals. In addition to the many informational resources for the collector on
the Internet, one can subscribe to one or more of the major philatelic newspapers.
- Ultra-Violet Lamps. These devices are used to detect the hidden phosphorescent materials
used in printing stamps---which are applied in the printing process. Such ultra-violet
inks help automatic sorting machines detect how much postage has been used on a piece of
mail.
- Stamp-Lifting Fluids. These products are used to safely remove stamps from various forms
of paper. Employed when water soaking will not accomplish the lifting.
A black plastic watermark detector tray with the fluid used to
detect watermarks on stamps. A pair of stamp tongs is shown at bottom right. Also note the
glassine envelope at upper left. |
One of several color charts used by collectors. |
Lindner products used to help remove stamps stuck to
envelopes. |
An ultra-violet light used to detect phosphorescence on
stamps. |
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