Slingshot
Bronze Member
- Apr 3, 2004
- 1,074
- 1,204
- Detector(s) used
- Whites CM2 BFO, Harbor Freight 9 function, BH Pioneer 202, Fisher F22
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
The first tool, and perhaps the most important, are stamp tongs that are used to handle your stamps. These protect the paper stamps from the oils that occur naturally on your fingers, and which has a detrimental effect on paper over time. At first these seem awkward to use compared to your fingers, but with a little practice you will get the knack of manipulating them and will find them much more dexterous than your now seemingly huge clumsy fingers could ever be, and will prefer to use them when handling any stamps. Standard tweezers from the drug store are a poor substitute for the ones actually designed for handling stamps. The long pointy so called pro models are good if you will be handling mint plate blocks or sheets, but for single stamps I prefer the shorter ones, 4 - 5 inches in length with duck bill or spade tips. I once ran a pointy set of tongs through a valuable stamp in a clumsy moment, so be careful with the pointy ends on these, and that is the reason I prefer the less sharp ended types.
The second tool you will want will be a magnifier, a 2 1/2 power lens about 2 inches in diameter will handle the majority of your collecting needs. For inspecting the fine details on engraved stamps a 10 - 16 power loupe is a must. Neither need to be expensive as the most common ones will get the job done.
At some point you will probably want to get a perforation gauge which is used to measure the perforations on stamps along the edges when sorting out differences in some same appearing stamp issues. You can find several free to print ones on the net or purchase an inexpensive cardboard, plastic, or metal one.
A watermark tray will also be needed at some point to check watermarks on stamps. A clear glass ashtray sitting over a dark surface, black cloth or paper will work, or you can purchase one of the black plastic ones. Then for watermark solution many collectors prefer cigarette lighter fluid over the very expensive watermark solutions sold by stamp dealers, just be sure and check the catalogue before watermarking any stamps as some were printed with fugitive ink that will run in any watermark solution and ruin the stamp.
Good collecting & Cheers!!
The second tool you will want will be a magnifier, a 2 1/2 power lens about 2 inches in diameter will handle the majority of your collecting needs. For inspecting the fine details on engraved stamps a 10 - 16 power loupe is a must. Neither need to be expensive as the most common ones will get the job done.
At some point you will probably want to get a perforation gauge which is used to measure the perforations on stamps along the edges when sorting out differences in some same appearing stamp issues. You can find several free to print ones on the net or purchase an inexpensive cardboard, plastic, or metal one.
A watermark tray will also be needed at some point to check watermarks on stamps. A clear glass ashtray sitting over a dark surface, black cloth or paper will work, or you can purchase one of the black plastic ones. Then for watermark solution many collectors prefer cigarette lighter fluid over the very expensive watermark solutions sold by stamp dealers, just be sure and check the catalogue before watermarking any stamps as some were printed with fugitive ink that will run in any watermark solution and ruin the stamp.
Good collecting & Cheers!!
