Perfs14
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Post by Perfs14 on Jul 28, 2013 13:02:09 GMT
Stamp collecting does not require a big investment for the beginner. Later, as your interest and dedication mount, you will want to invest in some of the tools for more advanced philatelists; by that time you will not need my help - I may ask for yours! Basic Equipment:
Stamp tongs: (tweezers specially made for picking up stamps). By handling stamps with tongs, you will reduce the possibility of damaging your treasures. (Fingerprints contain fats and oils, acids, bacteria, fungi and many other things - none of which are good to stamps, especially if they are Mint.) A stock book or stock pages: to keep you collection safe. A good magnifying glass: Stamps are little and have a lot of detail to be seen and inspected - you might find a rare variety! A perforation gauge or odontometer: This will help you find out how many ‘teeth’ or perfs your stamp has. Probably not important at the start, but measuring perfs is a very good habit to acquire early. Access to stamp catalogues: Most libraries have these for you to use both there and at home. A catalogue is essential in order to identify your stamp....and we are always here to help. A way of ‘seeing’ watermarks: if you are young you may not be allowed to use the fluids needed for this, some parental assistance will be needed. And...some stamps!
Happy stamping  |
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therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Jul 28, 2013 21:20:10 GMT
Keep in mind some watermarks can be seen simply by shining a bright light through the stamp. The watermark will appear lighter as the thinner paper allows more light through. This method probably shouldn't be use to make a final determination about the presence of a watermark, but it can get a beginner started at least.
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Perfs14
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Post by Perfs14 on Jul 28, 2013 21:31:03 GMT
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therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Jul 31, 2013 12:13:47 GMT
Couple more tools to help you delve a little deeper...
A UV-light: to detect the tagging on stamps and the sometimes the paper types used. UV-lights come in both short-wave and long-wave. The long-wave variety can be easily found and usually isn't that expensive. A 'party' style UV\black light would normally be use a long-wave filter. The long wave filter will be sufficient to detect tagging on stamps from many countries. Basically tagging is an invisible ink-compound applied to the stamps which glows when the UV-light is shone on it. Post offices uses the tagging to detect the location and presence of a stamp for the automatic cancelling machines. As a collector different pattern of tagging or the absence of tagging can be catalogued as varieties and sometimes errors. Short-wave UV light can be used to detect the type of paper. Different paper types have different florescence, so they glow with different brightness or sometimes colour when UV light is shone on them. Some countries the tagging reacts to short-wave UV light, so a long-wave light wouldn't make them glow. Depending on your collecting needs/interests you may want to get a light that can produce both short-wave and long-wave. As a collector of Canadian stamps primarily I only use a long wave light, I am interested in the tagging, but not as interested in the paper types used. Position Finder: Another tool I find useful from time to time is my position finder. It's just a grid with letters on the left and numbers along the top. You lay it over the stamp to get a grid-reference for a specific spot on the stamp. I find it useful for noting the location of faults, flaws and markings on stamps. Though I don't see a lot of references using the grid in literature or catalogues I do use it to documents my stamps in my own notes. I'll include a picture with the slip cover that has the directions.  |
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Perfs14
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Post by Perfs14 on Jul 31, 2013 20:16:08 GMT
Excellent stuff, therealwesty! I have never seen the position finder in any literature or catalogue. But I see that one was put out by SG - I find it strange that they don't use it in their own specialized catalogues, it seems such a good idea.
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beezy07
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wondering if I should focus on collecting in just one certain area for now....hmmmm.. 🤔
Posts: 43
What I collect: Anything that catches my eye!
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Post by beezy07 on Sept 19, 2018 10:34:27 GMT
Nice info! I recently found a watermark on the back of some stamps. When I first saw it I was like "what the hell is that" Lol. Well I quickly learned. However do any of you know what it means when the catalogue says "single watermark" or "double watermark?
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angore
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Sept 19, 2018 12:16:00 GMT
In the front of the Scott catalog, it explains single and double watermarks. Stampsmarter has a lot of information. www.stampsmarter.com/learning/Manuf_LocationsWatermarks.htmlI would recommend getting a Scott catalog and read the front section. It has a lot of useful information. You can find them at most any public library if you just want to read. |
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Post by philatelia on Sept 18, 2019 13:01:19 GMT
A few of my basic tools; tongs, 30x loupe, color key, perf gauge and dagger (for anyone who messes with the stamps haha)   |
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jpotx113
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Posts: 422
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Oct 10, 2019 21:00:23 GMT
A few weeks ago I saw a pair of Showgard tongs at a Hobby Lobby store. There was only one but several of the store brand. I didn't buy them and later regretted that decision since I wanted to keep a pair here at the office (I normally have my stamps delivered to a post office near my office and get my regular mail at my home, which is out of town; waiting to get home and look at my newly acquired stamps is no fun).
I had stopped at several stores all the way from south east Texas to north east Texas, spanning quite a distance. I stopped at one store while on a trip two days ago but they were not there. Well, I found them today, at another store approximately 150 miles from the last one. I knew they were at one that I had recently visited but I just couldn't remember which one!
Anyway, for those that don't know, Hobby Lobby lets you use a 40% off coupon once a day. I was going to get an extra pair, which would have set me back about $10 if I purchased on-line. These had a sticker price of $5.29; with the discount I paid $3.43 after tax. By they way, there's no rule that says you can't use that coupon at more than one store on any particular day. 
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 422
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Oct 20, 2019 23:06:48 GMT
 I recently decided to buy a Lindner Phila-Combi-Box. I had seen one recently online and thought I'd use some of the birthday cash my father-in-law gave me. I have plenty of perf gauges but thought I'd check this one out. I'm so glad I did! This item, while it might cost a bit more than the others, really is an awesome little tool. |
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tobben63
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Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,782
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Oct 22, 2019 5:25:08 GMT
I recently decided to buy a Lindner Phila-Combi-Box. I had seen one recently online and thought I'd use some of the birthday cash my father-in-law gave me. I have plenty of perf gauges but thought I'd check this one out. I'm so glad I did! This item, while it might cost a bit more than the others, really is an awesome little tool. Tis is my favourite perf tool to. |
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,782
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Oct 22, 2019 5:47:50 GMT
My new stamp collecting tool is the Led Scale Loupe 10X Its a great loupe with 8 led ligth innsisde. But if you use anny kind of external light from the side it's great to see the struckture in paper! It also have a scale on the (removable) botom glas. The scale is 20mm long and divide every mm in 10! This make it perfect for messuring printing distances and so on. It ffels 'good' in the hand, real glass lenses (no plastic).  Here you can see the scale. 
(photo taken with my cell phone handheld troug the loupe)This tool is availible on various websites from $29 included freight! Just search Led Scale Loupe 10X in Google or your prefered search engine. |
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Ryan
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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,589
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many, many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Oct 22, 2019 8:51:25 GMT
The scale on your loupe is useful for Machin collectors, as many of those issues have varieties according to the "value setting", or how far the face value numerals are located relative to the outer edges of the design. I have a similar scaled loupe for use with my Machins but mine is getting to be a bit old now - certainly it's from before the days of common & inexpensive white LED lights. I don't even know if white LEDs existed back then. Hmm, after a quick search it looks like I might be right - white LEDs first went into mass production in 1996. Maybe it's time for me to upgrade mine ... Ryan |
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angore
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Oct 22, 2019 11:37:24 GMT
If only there was a loupe with a perforation gauge!!
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,782
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Oct 22, 2019 11:52:45 GMT
If only there was a loupe with a perforation gauge!! Well   |
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 422
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Oct 22, 2019 14:31:04 GMT
tobben63 Thanks for sharing information regarding your loupe. I think I will get one of these!
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angore
Member
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Oct 22, 2019 15:40:15 GMT
tobben63 That is how I do it today using this light and a Scott Multi-gauge. It runs off C size batteries. The smaller ones seem to use more expensive batteries. 
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,782
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Oct 22, 2019 16:03:04 GMT
tobben63 That is how I do it today using this light and a Scott Multi-gauge. It runs off C size batteries. The smaller ones seem to use more expensive batteries. I have one of this, not to my liking |
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Oct 22, 2019 19:19:21 GMT
 I bought the frameless magnifying glass on top a couple years ago. The light flickers quite a bit & is difficult to keep on. It also uses those tiny disc batteries. So I replaced it with the other one from Lighthouse. It has 6 LED lights which light up what I am looking at quite nicely, and it uses AA batteries. Much nicer, although the glass is much smaller. I wouldn't mind a 10x Loupe like showed above. But prices range up to $207! Since I don't do eBay or Amazon, it'll take me a while to find one, but I'm patient! |
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Post by philatelia on Jan 15, 2020 1:22:11 GMT
My new watermark tray arrived today and I can’t believe how much better this is than my old one. It is just cheap plastic, but the little draining area next to the basin is so helpful and I seem to use a bit less fluid. Spiffy!  |
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Jerry B
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Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,448
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Post by Jerry B on Jan 15, 2020 12:04:07 GMT
Hi jpotx113
I have been using one of these since they were introduced (they were inexpensive back then). In my friend's store we used it for multiple lots of stamps and it was a time saver. It is amazing how accurate it is.
One suggestion. Measure the stamp upside down, i.e.; the reverse up. It seems to be easier to see the perf match.
Jerry B
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Jerry B
Member
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,448
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Post by Jerry B on Jan 15, 2020 12:12:34 GMT
Hi Linen testers are also very useful. They come in various magnifications. However, the higher magnification, the smaller the viewing area. Linen Testers
Note: If not able to order on-line some art supply stores carry them. Jerry B |
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angore
Member
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 15, 2020 17:21:37 GMT
philatelia . Do you wet the stamp in the ribbed or smooth section? I had seen these and thought the ribbed area was for allowing the stamp to dry. Your word "drain" made me ask the question.
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Post by philatelia on Jan 15, 2020 17:24:19 GMT
angore - yup - the stamp gets wet in the little basin. When you pull it out onto the area with ridges, some of the fluid drains back saving expensive watermark fluid.
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angore
Member
Posts: 4,503
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 15, 2020 22:52:51 GMT
Ha. By the time I find the watermark it is nearly dry or seems like it always is.
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mikeclevenger
Member
Posts: 887
What I collect: Ohio Tax Stamps, Ohio & Georgia Revenues, US Revenues, US FDC's, & Germany Classics
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Post by mikeclevenger on Jan 16, 2020 10:14:18 GMT
Here are my everyday tools.
And here are the tools I really love because they help me so much. I have a T1 & T2 Signascope, and a Perfotronic 2. They all are amazing help and worth the money, if you have the money to spare. I prefer the T1 over the T2, but the T2 is much faster if you have a lot of stamps to do.
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 422
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Jan 25, 2020 15:49:41 GMT
Here's a tool I purchased several months ago. I really didn't care for it at first but after needing to cut mounts for stamps that were not of the regular horizontal and vertical sizes I really grew to appreciate this gauge. Easy to use and saves time.  |
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Jan 25, 2020 16:18:28 GMT
Instead of buying a myriad of sized mounts, I buy ≈32 & 55. Then I cut them down to size.
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angore
Member
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 25, 2020 18:23:18 GMT
I plan to buy a second Scott multi-gauage. I plan to cut my old in two parts so the most used part (perf 11 to 16) is easier to maneuver.
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coastwatcher
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Kentucky, USA
Posts: 506
What I collect: Currently focusing on US and possessions
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Post by coastwatcher on Jan 25, 2020 19:33:09 GMT
Here is my most recently purchased tool, a Precision US Specialty Multi-Gauge. It has come in handy on a number of occasions, especially for classic era stamps. It is basically an updated version of the old Phil-A-Meter gauge with a lot more bells and whistles. The gauge is actually clear, but I have it laying on a white background for more clarity in the photo. Anyone interested in getting one of these gauges, can purchase one on eBay. (Please note that I am in no way affiliated with this seller but, this is where I got mine.)   |
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