![]() Regardless of how you choose to acquire your stamps, there are affordable avenues available to suit every buying and selling budget. You may also buy items at stamp fairs, jumble sales, online trading sites, charity shops and from dealers. Sorting these into countries of origin can be time consuming, but it is also interesting and tremendously exciting.Īlthough auction houses tend to sell items of higher value it is also possible to buy relatively inexpensive mixed lots at Warwick & Warwick sales. Acquiring large packets of stamps or ‘stamp bags’ that have been sorted is also an option. The traditional way to begin stamp collecting as a hobby is by acquiring used items on cards and envelopes.īuying ‘kiloware’ stamps that are unsorted and sold according to their weight, is another good way to approach stamp collecting for beginners. Well-stocked major libraries usually have a wide range of philatelic books that you can access or borrow. Collectors of stamps from the United States will need to use the Scott Specialized Catalogue. Gibbons publish the most used catalogue in the UK, with Yvert and Tellier doing likewise in France and Michel in Germany. You’ll need some of these to arrange your stamps neatly.Īn atlas or map: If you decide to collect stamps which are from a specific country, you’ll need one of these if you want to know where it is in the world - or you could use the internet if that’s easier.Ī stamp identification book: Specialist reference books and stamp catalogues will help you to identify each stamp and tell you more about their background, such as how it was printed and the date of issue. Hinges: The small gummed strip that’s used to fix a stamp to the page of an album is called a hinge. ![]() These are affordable (usually less than £5) and allow you to rearrange your collection easily, if required.Ĭolour guide: A useful tool to have if you want to tell the difference between stamps which are similar in appearance, but slightly different in shade - which can have a big influence on its overall worth. Stamp albums: Opting for a loose-leaf book or ring binder will be sufficient to store your stamps until you’ve built up a collection that warrants an investment in more expensive albums. Watermark detector fluid: There’s no need to buy an expensive electronic device, good old-fashioned 'watermark fluid' and a watermark tray (which usually cost less than £10) will quickly help your watermark to be become visible. The Gibbons Instanta can measure perforations to within a decimal point and is the most popular gauge used by collectors and dealers. Perforation guide: A perforation gauge is useful to help you measure the number of perforations in a defined space, which may be the only difference between two stamps which are otherwise identical. Magnifying glass: Most collectors like to look closely at their stamps, but don’t be tempted to go for anything more than x10 magnification (available for around £20) or you won’t be able to see your stamp’s design in context. Start with 'spade-end' tongs rather than 'pointed' ones (costing no more than £10) and once you’re used to handling stamps with them, you can then find a style which suits you best. The basic equipment we recommend includes:Ī pair of stamp tongs or tweezers: Tongs are essential for every stamp collector because handling stamps with your fingers can cause damage and deterioration due to the natural oils in our skin. Obviously, you’ll need some stamps to get started, but it makes sense to spend more on stamps and a lot less on equipment than vice versa. Hopefully, the following information will offer some useful guidance.īasic stamp collecting equipment you may want to buyĪs is the case with any collecting hobby, the equipment you’ll need will depend largely on how much you intend to specialise in your chosen subject. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to invest in some basic stamp collecting equipment to get you started. If you’re unsure what to choose, take a look at our in-depth Beginner’s Guide to Stamp Collecting to find out more. Some simple stamp collecting accessories will serve you well.īefore getting started, choose a topic or area of interest that you’d like to collect. You don't have to buy expensive equipment to enjoy this hobby. ![]() To many stamp collectors, it’s a way to explore the world, its many different countries, their diverse history, beautiful artwork and colourful cultures. Stamp collecting is a fulfilling hobby with very few rules, but it’s actually much more than that.
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