A few basic items of equipment are recommended for proper stamp collection. One of the most important of these is storage. Stamp hinges were once a cheap and simple way to do this. However, hinging stamps can damage them, thus reducing their value; today many collectors prefer more expensive hingeless mounts. Issued in various sizes, these are clear, chemically neutral thin plastic holders that open to receive stamps and are gummed on the back so that they stick to album pages.
Another alternative is a stockbook, where the stamps drop into clear pockets without the need for a mount. Stamps should be stored away from light, heat and moisture or they will be damaged.
Stamps can be displayed according to the collector’s wishes, by country, topic, or even by size, which can create a display pleasing to the eye. There are no rules and it is entirely a matter for the individual collector to decide. Albums can be commercially purchased, downloaded or created by the collector. In the latter cases, using acid free paper provides better long-term stamp protection.
Blog
Dealers
- Davo
- iHobb
- Lighthouse Publications (Canada)
- Lighthouse (US)
- Nordfrim
- Palo Albums
- Renniks (Australia)
- Showgard
- Stanley Gibbons
YouTube
- Bob Collects Stamps: Episode 2 – Housing My Collection
- Bob Collects Stamps: Stamp Albums
- Bob Collects Stamps: Temporary Stamp Storage, Glassine Plus
- DAVO Albums: DAVO Easy, the self-adhesive stamp mount
- Exploring Stamps: Storing Stamp Collections
- Gumardee Stamps: How to Store Stamps
- iHobb.com: How to Mount Stamps
- KenmoreStampCo: How to mount stamps
- Philatelic Corner: Removal & Preservation of Self Adhesive Postage Stamps
- Royal Philatelic Society of Canada: Stamp Album or Stockbook? A Primer
- Sandafayre: How to Hinge Stamps
- Gramps’ Stamps: How NOT To Store A Collection
- Ted Talks Stamps: Ep.51 – Review of Davo Luxe Hingeless Stamp Album
- Ted Talks Stamps: Episode 28 – Stamp Albums (Part 1)
