5 Essential Stamp Collector Supplies

There are several ways to keep stamp collections in a safe and organized manner. Stamp collector supplies helps you display stamp collections and preserved them to sell them later or keep them longer. Build the stamp collection you've been dreaming with these five stamp collector essential supplies.

1. Albums



Photo albums will work, providing you have a means for mounting your stamps. Hinges and mounts are the most common ways to mount stamps in an album, as they provide a way to remove, sort and reorganize your stamps as you add to your collection.
 
One tip is to avoid photo albums that have sticky pages, and be sure to choose acid-free paper that won't turn yellow over time. Some stamp albums feature categories and sample pictures of stamps to make sorting easier. Specific stamp collectors' albums of this type can be purchased at a local stamp dealer or online.

2. Hinges And Mounts

Clockwise from top left, we see a hinge-mounted stamp, stamp about to be hinge-mounted, stamp damaged by a hinge, and loose stamp hinges

Hinges and mounts are used to safely put the stamps in the album. Hinges are small squares of translucent plastic or paper with special sticky gum on one side. They hold the stamps and allow for the stamp's safe removal when necessary. Mounts are little plastic sleeves made of clear plastic into which the stamp can be inserted. These will protect your stamps and keep them from curling. Never use tape or glue for mounting stamps, and try to find items made of Mylar or polyethylene, not vinyl, because Mylar is less likely to react chemically with your stamps.


3. Tongs



To prevent stamps from being contaminated by oils from your skin as you handle them, use tongs. These are like tweezers, but they do not have sharp edges. They make it easy to grip and move your stamps without damaging the fragile edges.

4. Magnifying Glass



Identify rare and old stamps by using magnifying glass and zoom in to get a close-up view of the secret detail of stamps. A good magnifying glass can help you note the nuances in the artwork and detail on the stamps. By using magnifying glass, you can learn and and reveal different details of stamps.

5. Stamp Catalog

 
A catalog will provide information about a stamp's date of issue, how it was printed and its value. You can also find stamp collection software online or for purchase that will help you keep your reference information current, including stamp value and history. Reference information about your stamps can help you organize your stamp collection, which is one of the most rewarding parts of having the collection.
 
In general, if you can keep your stamps in a pristine environment, the more value they are likely to have over time. All of these items can help you learn more about your stamps and protect them for the future.

Images:
Hinges and mounts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_hinge
Magnifying glass: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magnifying_glass.jpg
Stamp album: http://www.mdcstamps.com/safe-dual-stamp-albums.htm
Stamp tongs: http://www.mdcstamps.com/stamp-coin-tongs.htm