The end of the previous article contains a list with the items from the beginner's outfit, what anybody needs to start a stamp collection. In this one I want to write more detailed about the essential supplies for stamp collector. That's you point of view anyway - you are reading this because you are interested about the subject, and I am not a stamp collector... yet).
Stamp hinges and mounts
Hinges and mounts are used to place the stamps into the spaces inside the albums or stockbook.
Stamp hinges are small rectangular pieces of paper or glassine wich are coated with gum, they are used to attach the stamp into the pages of the albums or books. The pages function like a door which is held by hinges. The hinges are very inexpensive and they are used for the common stamps.
You should use the stamp mount if you are suspicious in damaging the original gum of the stamp. The mounts are more expensive that the hinges, they are usually used to hold more expensive stamps of the collections. They have sleevs where the stamps can insert, it eliminates the need to attach. The stamp is a gum-coated hinge.
Glassine envelopes
Glassine envelopes are made of the same type material used for stamp hinges: a semi-transparent material which is partially resistant to air and moisture. Stamp collectors use the glassine envelopes for the safe storage of duplicates or stamps that are will be mounted in a stamp display or album.
Watermark detector
As a protection against counterfeiting many stamps (especially the high value ones) are printed on a paper watermaked with some sort of device, the watermak detector allows a stam collector to see the patterns wich are embossed on the stamps. A watermark is merely a thinner area in the paper and it can be seen by holding the paper before the light. The patterns found in it indicate the time when the stamp was issued.
Perforation gauge and millimeter rule
Perforation gauges provide means of identification of the various perforation used in manufacture of the stamps, they are used to identify are used to identify a stamp from a set of identical postage stamps. The perforations range from tiny pin holes (made by a sewing machine, for example) to large round holes.
Every stamp has different perforations and the number of curves can be measured using a perforation gauge. They measure the curves at every 2 centimeter because the perforations are mesured against the same stardard worldwide (20 millimeters). The number of holes provided within this standard distance is the count (the gauge) of the perforation.
Stamp tongs
Usually they are made from plastic or stainless stell and they are used to pick up and hold the stamps for indentification or mount in the album. Stamp tongs are uses instead of fingers because they are much easier to use then someone pick up and handle a stamp, also they are less likely to damage the item than the greesy, dirty and full of dust fingers. A simple touch can sometime decreas the value of an expensive stamp.
Magnifying glass
An important duty of a stamp collector is th check the quality of his collection in order to mark tears, damages or error of every stamp. To do that he have to examen the stamps with a magnifying glass to have a clear view of the condition of the stamp.
Stamp albums and stock books
Stamp albums and stock books are important for the stamp collector because they secure the stamps, help to organize the collection and display the stamps into a very neat manner.
By the way, in the previous movie posted on youtube, Janet Klug, former president of the American Philatelic Society and member of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, is the guide to topical stamp collecting.
