Proper
Tools to Use on Stamp Collecting
Every
stamp collector needs tools
to pursue the stamp collecting
endeavor. The most common
are a stamp tongs, magnifying
glass, albums, hinges and
perforation gauge. Another
accessories can be watermark
detector and a UV-lamp but
they are always expensive.
On this page , we will explore
each one of these tools.
Stamp
tongs require little
instruction in use, it is
also an indespensable accessory.
They are being used to pick
up and hold a stamp either
for identification or to mount
in the album. You must never
hold a stamp with your fingers,
because of the chance of spots
caused by dirt, or the perspiration
which can be the cause that
the gum will be moist. No
matter if it is cancelled
or not, always use a stamp
tongs or tweezers. Your stamp
dealers will have an assortment
from which you may choose
a pair that feels right for
you.
Magnifying
glass is being used
when you take a better look
at a stamp. It helps you to
discover small depects in
the presentation of the stamp.
There are so many different
varieties in all price ranges
from your stamp dealers. But
as a beginner, you should
select a simple and inexpensive
glass that will provide reasonable
magnification. The most used
magnifying glass has a round
glass/lens and a handle.
Perforation
gauge and millimeter rule
is often printed
on cardboard and sometimes
on metal or plastic, that
makes it possible for you
to tell at a glance the gauge
of the perforation of a stamp
or to measure in millimeters
the size of the stamps. There
are so many kinds of gauge
but the most common type is
the kind that provides a series
of dots or points within a
given space. The use of the
millimeter part of the instrument
as an ordinary ruler, only
to measure in millimeters
instead of inches. All perforations
are measured againts the same
standard throughout the world.
This standard is a distance
of 20 millimeters, and the
number of holes provided within
a distance of 20 millimeters
is the count as we say the
gauge of the perforation.
Hence, if there be 10 large
holes spaced closely together
within a distance of 20 millimeters,
the gauge would be "10".
And if there were 10 very
small holes within the 20-millemeter
distance - spaced far apart
from each other, the gauge
would still be "10".
You
will find the use of the gauge
only when identical stamps
are separated from each other
in your album because of different
perforations. This happens
frequently with United States
stamps in the early twentieth-century
issues when the Bureau of
Printing and Engraving was
experimenting with various
methods of perforations. Most
all United States postage
stamps are now produced by
machines that provides the
standard "Perf. 11 x
101/2."
Watermark
Detector is a black
tray (preferably glass) for
the purpose of detecting watermark
primarily as a protection
againts counterfeiting, many
stamps are printed on paper
watermarked with some sort
of device. After having the
stamp face downward in the
watermark detector, pour in
enough drops of Benzine to
entirely cover it. This usually
will reveal any watermark
if in the stamp. We will elaborate
this further on the page about
watermarks.
Stock
Book is a sheet of
book that have rows of cardboard
or transparent (acetate) pockets
into which stamps can be more
or less firmly held. This
enables collector to store
stamps for most any purpose
without the use of adhesives.
Sheets of stock books are
usually interchangeable which
will aid system and expansion.
Stamp
hinges is a small
piece of thin paper to which
a special gum has been applied.
It is prepared for use by
folding it at about one third
of its length. How to use
stamp hinges? 1. Lightly lick
the smaller folded part of
the hinge. 2. Press the hinge
on the back of the stamp.
It should be as near to the
top edge of the stamp as possible.
Be careful that the hinge
does not show behind the perforation.
3. Now lick the remaining
part of the hinge. 4. Carefully
put the stamp in place on
the page. Use stamp tongs
with smooth rounded ends to
position hinges and stamps.
The glue takes a little while
to harden so you can adjust
the stamp slightly to make
sure that it is straight.
If you want to move the stamp,
do not try and remove it right
away. The glue will feel off
easily only when it is completely
dry.
Plastic
mounts are clear
plastic strips, with an opening
to put the stamp in, that
are gummed on the back. Plastic
mounts are expensive and can
be bought in strips or cut
for individual stamps. You
need a special cutter to make
neat strips. Platic mounts
are best for specialized collections
where there are only few stamps
on each page. These mounts
are difficult to remove so
use them only if you know
you are not going to change
the page. Stick the mount
to the page before putting
the stamp.
Stamp
album is a book with
pages to keep your stamps
safe and to display them attractively.
There are so many different
kinds of albums to choose
from and we will also discuss
this on the following pages.
Color
guide is made up
of a number of cards of different
color shades, attached atone
end so that they out like
a fan. Lay the color guide
over or near the stamp, matching
the different colors until
you find the right one.
These
are few accessories that are
useful in stamp collecting
operation. But not all of
them are necessary. Once you
know how to handle stamps
without damaging them, it
can be fun to display them
in an album.
