Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Feb 3, 2014 9:36:34 GMT
Hi I do some part time work for a stamp dealer breaking down collections for stock. Over the years I developed a method for sorting large volumes of stamps by country and catalog number in a relatively short period of time. Some TSF members have already received this document from me. Since TSF has a "Add Attachment" feature I am making the document available to all TSF members. If there are any questions, or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me. Sorting Stamps.pdf (19.5 KB) Jerry B
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,907
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 3, 2014 10:29:20 GMT
My sorting involves bags of worldwide stamps. I employ the BANTEX A5 2 ring binder (Aust $5.40 7.5 inches x 9 inches ) and 200 clear plastic pages. Ergo, Place a card in each page, and you have space for 400 countries. I have a binder for SORT VALUE, SORT YEAR, SORT COUNTRY (4) because France and GB and their Machins can take up room. Keeps everything tidy.
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Post by Perfs14 on Feb 3, 2014 19:07:12 GMT
Hi I do some part time work for a stamp dealer breaking down collections for stock. Over the years I developed a method for sorting large volumes of stamps by country and catalog number in a relatively short period of time. Some TSF members have already received this document from me. Since TSF has a "Add Attachment" feature I am making the document available to all TSF members. If there are any questions, or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me. Jerry B Some pics would help IMO Here is what my sorting looks like...
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Feb 3, 2014 19:26:01 GMT
Hi Perfs14
Sorry. I do not have a scanner.
I am looking at some now but I have to be certain that it will work on both XP and Win 8. Also it has to be able to handle photographic slides in metal frames.
Jerry B
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 4, 2014 0:44:35 GMT
My sorting project usually ends up looking like the aftermath of an unsupervised kids arts and crafts marathon.Come to think of it that's what my table looks like right now.
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Post by ChickasawStampMan on Feb 4, 2014 4:43:57 GMT
Wow! I never knew!!
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I.L.S.
Departed
Rest in Peace
I am in Clearfield, Pa. I love US Classic covers!
Posts: 2,113
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Post by I.L.S. on Feb 4, 2014 10:53:24 GMT
I tried to read that PDF file but it just seems like too much to do. If it works for you great but I simply don't understand it. I just pick up a handful and go through them. The ones I don't like or don't collect go in one pile. The ones I need go straight in my albums or a glassine marked as such. Any I can use for trading I usually end up sending them to someone and the rest get tossed. I keep it really simple. Cheers!
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Post by Perfs14 on Feb 4, 2014 18:13:49 GMT
I tried to read that PDF file but it just seems like too much to do. If it works for you great but I simply don't understand it. I just pick up a handful and go through them. The ones I don't like or don't collect go in one pile. The ones I need go straight in my albums or a glassine marked as such. Any I can use for trading I usually end up sending them to someone and the rest get tossed. I keep it really simple. Cheers! Tossed??? You actually throw them out?
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Post by Perfs14 on Feb 4, 2014 18:20:34 GMT
Hi Perfs14 Sorry. I do not have a scanner. I am looking at some now but I have to be certain that it will work on both XP and Win 8. Also it has to be able to handle photographic slides in metal frames. Jerry B SLIDES? I thought they went out with beta video players lol. Seriously most scanners will handle slides or even negatives and most work on any windows past XP. For example here is a scan of a 35mm negative i found a while ago: (A lot younger then sic!)
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Zuzu
Member
Inactive
Self-Proclaimed Black Belt in Google Fu
Posts: 768
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Post by Zuzu on Feb 4, 2014 23:06:00 GMT
Jerry, thanks for sharing your methodology. This will be very helpful to me... now I just need to get some manilla stock pages. Can you believe I don't have any?
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Philatarium
Member
Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,032
What I collect: Primarily focused on Japan, but lots of other material catches my eye as well ...
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Post by Philatarium on Feb 4, 2014 23:48:26 GMT
... and the rest get tossed. ... For anyone who has excess stamps, damaged stamps, etc., and you just don't know what to do with them, the Holocaust Stamp Project wants them. They've collected about 3.3 million stamps so far, but their goal is 11 million, approximating the number of people who were killed in the Holocaust. The project involves having school children make mosaics from the stamps. Here are the details: www.foxboroughrcs.org/students-families/frcs-holocaust-stamp-project/-- Dave
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I.L.S.
Departed
Rest in Peace
I am in Clearfield, Pa. I love US Classic covers!
Posts: 2,113
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Post by I.L.S. on Feb 5, 2014 7:30:47 GMT
Good call! Thanks!
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Feb 5, 2014 7:36:39 GMT
Hi
In my friend's store any damaged stamp goes into a metal box. Nothing gets thrown out. There are a couple of customers who purchase them for some project or another.
I admit the method seem complicated. However, if you actually try it, going through the steps, it is really pretty simple. In the store the identified stamps go directly into stock.
I am looking at Epson scanners. From what I have read they do have drivers for XP and beyond but people seem to be having problems with Vista, Win7 and Win8 drivers. The slides I am talking about are not in the usual cardboard mount. For those there is no problem. The problem is slides that are sealed in a plastic carrier with glass front and back and held together by a crimped metal frame.
The advantage of having a friend who is also a stamp dealer. I have stock cards aplenty. Since I have been sick I do not go to the store but do some work at home. If I need supplies, stock cards, mounts, etc. my friend comes to the house for a visit. I pay for anything that is personal and not store related.
Jerry B
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,907
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on May 22, 2014 1:13:12 GMT
After 10 years, finally settled on a very easy way to sort huge volumes of stamps.
"The Stamp Forum" moderator, Steve, was very generous with his time and efforts and sent me 1000 or so Subway Stamps GK 102BK (or similar) dealers stock cards.
They have turned out to be fabulous.
I date each card with a year, then plop them into a Plastic Chinese takeaway box with a lid. Sort the stamps by year, and plop them into the date card
When mounting, you can use the card library at will, pop the lid back on for storage till another day, away from the dust. Small countries, I still use the Hagners stock sheets, but for Huge countries like US, Poland, Romania, Germany, GB I use the card library and have now 6 plastic boxes of dated cards.
For the budget collector : Instead of cards, you can use a suitable stiffish type envelope, seal the envelope, then cut off each end, to form a "pocket" for each year.
Warning : for mint stamps, if you reside in a humid environment, placing stamps near each other is dangerous, they will adhere to each other. Hagners the only suitable method.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,907
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jul 1, 2014 8:23:53 GMT
I am about to sort about 3000 mixed Poland.
Plastic card table Scotch invisible tape Loupe Pen about an hour
Lay three strips of tape across the table, double over at one end to fascilitate rip off removal. Write years 1955 thorough 2013 using the dates on the stamps place in appropriate piles
Transfer to Steve's GK 102BK cards ....done
Rip sticky off table.
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 1, 2014 13:57:10 GMT
Not really a sorting tip per se, but I bought a 22" x 30" piece of black cardboard at the craft store. It makes a great work surface. The black makes it super easy to spot damaged perfs, etc, and it is easier to pick the stamps up compared to the slick desktop surface. It also protects your desk from tong scratches.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,907
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jul 1, 2014 14:08:42 GMT
Not really a sorting tip per se, but I bought a 22" x 30" piece of black cardboard at the craft store. It makes a great work surface. The black makes it super easy to spot damaged perfs, etc, and it is easier to pick the stamps up compared to the slick desktop surface. It also protects your desk from tong scratches. Nice tip Philatelia, I employ Prinz, long nosed pointy tweezers, the Rolls Royce of tongs, once used you won't go back to anything else, pick up stamps from any surface, Crikey, you can almost catch a fly in mid flight, (by the eybrows) Never carry them in a pocket.
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 1, 2014 15:11:11 GMT
Oh you must be much more agile than I am. I tried the pointy ones and I kept poking holes in stuff - klutzy me! Tongs are so individual - I like a 6" spade myself - after 50 years (omg don't tell anyone!) it feels awkward using a different type. I have to buy more of them, though. I keep looking for my tongs so I figure if I have about 10 pairs sitting around I won't spend an hour a day looking for my tongs! I've also developed a bad habit of hanging them on the front on my shirt - women's tops don't have nice pockets like you fellas have. I should steal one of hubby's shirts, get a nice nerd pack for the pocket and wear that whenever I stamp - stamp geek fashionista!
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,721
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jul 1, 2014 16:30:58 GMT
I tried the pointy ones and I kept poking holes in stuff - klutzy me! Tongs are so individual - I like a 6" spade myself No lethal point disasters for me either - I use a bent spade. And like you, I also use the black work surface trick, although I've done it via a folding card table. Ryan
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AirmailEd
Member
Posts: 174
What I collect: Worldwide airmail stamps through 1940, unused
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Post by AirmailEd on Jul 1, 2014 16:47:48 GMT
Hi Perfs14 Sorry. I do not have a scanner. I am looking at some now but I have to be certain that it will work on both XP and Win 8. Also it has to be able to handle photographic slides in metal frames. Jerry B Jerry, I bought a scanner in April that supports both XP and Windows 8. It's a Canon MG2400 printer/scanner/copier. I don't know about slides. Because Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP on April 8, scanner manufacturers will do likewise. I'd buy quickly before the XP scanners are gone.
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 1, 2014 17:23:45 GMT
My IT man (hubby) says go to "techbargains.com" and check for scanners. He finds some unbelievably good deals there.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,907
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jul 2, 2014 0:22:00 GMT
Oh you must be much more agile than I am. I tried the pointy ones and I kept poking holes in stuff - klutzy me! Tongs are so individual - I like a 6" spade myself - after 50 years (omg don't tell anyone!) it feels awkward using a different type. I have to buy more of them, though. I keep looking for my tongs so I figure if I have about 10 pairs sitting around I won't spend an hour a day looking for my tongs! I've also developed a bad habit of hanging them on the front on my shirt - women's tops don't have nice pockets like you fellas have. I should steal one of hubby's shirts, get a nice nerd pack for the pocket and wear that whenever I stamp - stamp geek fashionista! Weapon of choice, 12 years old and still going strong.........
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,907
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jul 2, 2014 0:27:30 GMT
Scanners of choice for most Philatelists, seems to be Epson Perfection V**** whatever, photo. Best not to skimp on scanner value, A good scanner is vital, and the Epson uses Seiko scanner software, the ability to scan multiple stamps on the platen individually.
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Jul 2, 2014 4:50:51 GMT
Hi
Thanks for the tips on scanners. I'll check them out.
Jerry B
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Nov 23, 2016 5:50:32 GMT
Hi, Jerry:
Thanks for your nice post from 2014 on sorting large volumes of stamps. It was your post that got me interested in joining TSF, and I am now a member. So, thanks!
I'm not sure what the problem is, but I am unable to download your PDF, and I am not sure why. Is there some other way I can get it from you? Am I allowed to send you an e-mail address, or is there some other way I can get a copy?
I recently inherited two collections/accumulations of stamps, and I have many thousands of stamps to sort through. I am looking for all the help I can get!
Thanks, Chris aka "Beryllium Guy"
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Nov 23, 2016 10:45:39 GMT
Hi Chris
Send an e-mail address to jerrybemail-stamps "at" yahoo "dot" com" and I will send you a copy. Put TSF Sorting in the title so I would not delete the e-mail. I can send it as a PDF, RTF (preferred) or doc file. Let me know which format.
Note: I just tried to download the PDF. What you have to do is right click on the link Sorting Stamps.pdf and then click on Open Link In New Tab. That will start the download dialog.
Jerry B
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Nov 23, 2016 16:45:57 GMT
Thanks for the reply, Jerry. I will try again following the process you have suggested. I have also sent you an e-mail. Thanks!
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Nov 28, 2016 0:17:29 GMT
Not really a sorting tip per se, but I bought a 22" x 30" piece of black cardboard at the craft store. It makes a great work surface. The black makes it super easy to spot damaged perfs, etc, and it is easier to pick the stamps up compared to the slick desktop surface. It also protects your desk from tong scratches. Philatelia, I just wanted to say thanks for this great idea. I went to an arts & crafts store today to buy a piece of black poster board, but I ended up going for a piece of black foam board instead. I thought that the stiffness of the foam board would come in handy in case I needed to move stamps in the middle of the sorting process from one place to another in the house.
But your idea was the source for the inspiration. Many thanks! -Chris aka "Beryllium Guy"
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 28, 2017 18:58:27 GMT
I'm in strange territory here.I've labeled envelopes A-XYZ and am sorting stamps from large box into these maybe forty or so at a time.Plan is to then take each letter and break that down to separate countries to go in glassines.Then take each glassine and catalog that country.This is the most massive pile of stamps I've ever undertaken.The box is in inches 14X8 and six deep.Absolutely full to the top.Guess Canada is not going to see me for some time.Good thing I love Mom!
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Feb 28, 2017 19:17:47 GMT
I'm in strange territory here.I've labeled envelopes A-XYZ and am sorting stamps from large box into these maybe forty or so at a time.Plan is to then take each letter and break that down to separate countries to go in glassines.Then take each glassine and catalog that country.This is the most massive pile of stamps I've ever undertaken.The box is in inches 14X8 and six deep.Absolutely full to the top.Guess Canada is not going to see me for some time.Good thing I love Mom! Wish I was there to help you, Frog! I love sorting through piles of stamps.
The method you are using (alphabetized envelopes to start followed by countries) is exactly what I have always done myself. My problem is that I get distracted when I run across interesting items along the way, and I get sidetracked all too often. So, it ends up taking me much longer to do the sorting than it really should.
Anyway, I think it's great that you're doing it to help your Mom out, too. My Dad's collection was in a similar state when it was passed along to me several years back: all the stamps had just been dumped into one big box. It took me months to finally get through all of them.
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