tobben63
Member 
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,874 
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Apr 10, 2020 6:43:05 GMT
Today I did some work with Stamp Analyser. Great tool. Luxemburg stamps 1882-1920 comes with a bunch of different perfs. ( I think they got some help from the Duch (Netherlands) with the printing - perfing) Well, to measure a bunch of stamps by hand is tidies work. Therefore I set them up on a sheet and scanned them at 300dpi.  I had some good spacing so it would be easier to work with. - Sidetrack My original plan was to separate them in PostmasterGS excellent tool PMGS StampFix but that app has a default output of 96dpi, and then I have to tell Stamp analyser it is scaned at 300dpi. (PostmasterGS is this something you can look at?)But Stamp analyser can work with a image containing lots of stamps because of their innside crop tool. What I did was to drop the entire scan/image into the app, crop around the stamp I wanted to analyse and press analyse. viola - a result.  But you have to have the real world control to! I daw some boxes on a paper and put stam by stamp there after they had been analysed, and noted the perf innside the box.  I ended up with 14 different perfs on these 47 stamps! With a light pencil I'm going to do something that some of you hate, I will note the perf on the backside of each stamp. I don't want to do this job again. The most odd perf I'm going to check on my Philia combi box gauge to be sure it is what Stamp analyser say it is. Next is doing the same with the stamps in the collection, there might bee some wrong placing there  |
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blaamand
Member
Currently creating custom pages until 1940.
Posts: 1,459
What I collect: Worldwide - Stamps and Postmarks - not enough time...
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Post by blaamand on Apr 10, 2020 11:44:14 GMT
Interesting tobben63 - how did the results match with the different perforation varieties listed in Michel? I guess some of the minor varieties can be "grouped". |
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Post by PostmasterGS on Apr 10, 2020 12:26:34 GMT
tobben63 , The dpi being incorrect in the image metadata is an old problem that I never found a satisfactory solution for. It's due to a limitation in the software that StampFix uses to manipulate the image. There isn't actually an option to set the metadata, and the default is calculated incorrectly for some reason. I looked into possible solutions several years ago, and it would require a huge amount of coding for each possible image type. One of these days, I'll take another stab at it when I get the time. In the meantime, I use an app called MetaImage that can edit the metadata. I have a preset setup so all I have to do is drag and drop the images, and the resolution is automatically reset to my standard dpi (600) in the images' EXIF metadata. It's only for a Mac, but if you're not on a Mac, I'm sure you could find something similar for Windows. Maybe something like this or this (haven't tested these, just Googled).
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,874
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Apr 10, 2020 16:21:21 GMT
Thanks a lot PostmasterGSI will try it and look for others. Jon blaamand There was a lot close to each other that's true. I tried to group them, but there where to much overlapping all ways. I don't think Michel or other catalogues have the total oversight. I have heard from people that special collect Netherlands are struggling with perfs. It look's like Lux got some stamp production help from Netherlands. |
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,874
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Apr 10, 2020 19:27:19 GMT
PostmasterGS I suddenly remember that I have Adobe Lightroom on my PC. Have not udsed it for a vile. But before when photography was the 'thing' to do I used it almost every day. I was thinking that Lightroom could help, and it could. When I scan a stamp it goes into a folder named Scan and then into a sub country or task folder. The files from Stamp fix goes into scan/PSGM folder. Well, I just showed Lightroom the scan folder, told to import all images without moving them. Then i did find the PSGM folder and picked a stamp (Luxemburg). I told Lightroom to export the stamp to the Luxemburg folder (that already existed) adn set the dpi to 300 and did not change anything else. Viola, the stamp (image) has now 300 dpi and are moved to the right folder. Love to find easy solutions (easy when you have the tools needed and know how to do and how they work) SOLVED
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:02:46 GMT
From my traveling box of philatelic tools I'll show you a part of my collection ..  ..... two tweezers with their cover and a classic dots odontometer . |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:13:27 GMT
 ..........plastic magnifyng glass, very cheap, very light, very handy . |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:15:16 GMT
......and a diagonal odontometer.
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:43:25 GMT
Classic magnifyng glass with real glass, a bit more heavy then plasic but much more clear vision through it. This is the medium size , I have one bigger and one smaller.  |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:46:39 GMT
Multipurpose.....  |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:48:16 GMT
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:49:29 GMT
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:51:57 GMT
Very very useful..  |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 10:56:52 GMT
 ..... vintage pocket real glass magnifier.. this is a fond memory |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 11:00:52 GMT
 .... it can also be used like this.... |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 12:14:32 GMT
 ... pocket foldable..  |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 12:22:33 GMT
 .... real glass vintage finger magnifier....another memory from an old philatelic dealer friend of mine.  |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on Apr 17, 2020 12:29:26 GMT
 ..... foldable with handle..... these are travel stuff .  |
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ajkitt
Member
Inactive
Posts: 175
What I collect: Classics, Central Europe, World
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Post by ajkitt on Apr 27, 2020 2:30:03 GMT
Inherited from my father. But, honestly, at this point I do most of my magnification, perfing, color analysis, etc. by computer. I hi-res scan pretty much everything and save them on thumbdrives (so I don't tie up too much local hard drive space). Even watermarks... on the left there is an old desktop Signoscope. Drop the stamp in, take a picture, and I can compare watermarks at my leisure; which became a really big deal when trying to tell the difference between the early Denmark wmks. Took a bit to get used to it, but I'll never go back to a tray unless I REALLY have to.  |
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FDI
Member
Member of RPSC & BNAPS
Posts: 386
What I collect: Modern Canada (misperf, varieties, tagging errors), Canadian Cinderellas, EXUP & CAPEX & Dead Countries
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Post by FDI on May 15, 2020 19:27:11 GMT
These are my torture tools. Like other menbers, I also use the Stamp Analyzer software. It is a great tool for the price. For my Canadian Inventory, I use the EZ Stamps software from SoftPro (https://ezstamp.com). It takes a little bit of getting around, but once you have mastered the "Beast" it's a very powerfull tool. My next purchase will be the EZ Image software that they have. Very powerful tool and fully integrated with EZ Stamps and all of the other addons they have. With all of the above and a good selection of catalogues (Scott 2017 & SG 2014 on PDF versions), no stamps will stay unidentified! P.S. Be careful if you buy those USB digital microscope. There is lot of different quality for the lens and at $50 US, this is probably the worst investment i've made so far in my hobby.  François |
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renden
Member
Posts: 9,164
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on May 15, 2020 20:24:21 GMT
These are my torture tools. François François, I use the WW version of Ezstamp8, their Albumgen to create some custom pages, EzImage to scan my stamps (Eson scanner) and EZperf (though I prefer to measure myself) I do have more than 300 Countries completely or partially inventoried in EZStamp. It is quite a powerful set of tools and I did get the Instruction manual (337 pages) printed, rarely used - Marios is of great help. I have upgraded to the latest version of data for all Countries. Good to hear you are using it - René |
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norsten
Member
Posts: 204
What I collect: Definitives from Western Europe, Swedish postmarks
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Post by norsten on May 15, 2020 21:27:30 GMT
My small collection of tools. Since my collection has been mostly dormant for the last 20 years, I have not invested much into new gear. The current stay-at-home directives gave me a bit more spare time, so I decided to bring out my stamps in the open again.  |
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on May 15, 2020 21:32:54 GMT
norsten, Add a watermark tray and fluid and you have everything one needs (assuming, of course, that you have a catalog).
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FDI
Member
Member of RPSC & BNAPS
Posts: 386
What I collect: Modern Canada (misperf, varieties, tagging errors), Canadian Cinderellas, EXUP & CAPEX & Dead Countries
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Post by FDI on May 16, 2020 0:51:54 GMT
Norsten norsten, it is not so much the "Gear" although it helps, but the passion of the hobby that is great! Once you're hooked, you're hooked! Confinement gave me a great opportunity to start cleaning up my accumulations. I found some hidden gem's, and also made me realized that I have to stop buying! lol Tomiseksj tomiseksj, watermarks has always been a tabou subject for me as I can't conceive dipping a stamp with gum in fluid. Any insight on the subject? FDI |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on May 16, 2020 9:29:54 GMT
For watermarks I find useful a signoscope. A scanner PC system I think is very smart and useful, but Is not for me that I don't even have catalogs in PDF format. I don't use too much technology, but I keep an Eye on it anyway.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,702
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on May 16, 2020 10:20:11 GMT
I have never had much luck with a scanner and using various color filters.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,702
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on May 16, 2020 10:20:24 GMT
I have never had much luck with a scanner and using various color filters.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on May 16, 2020 15:13:55 GMT
...Tomiseksj tomiseksj , watermarks has always been a tabou subject for me as I can't conceive dipping a stamp with gum in fluid. Any insight on the subject? , Commercial brand watermark fluids are designed to bring out the design of the watermark when the stamp is immersed face down in a dark tray without impacting the gum. Scott cautions that the method my damage certain stamps printed with inks that may run when immersed in fluid and provides U.S. Scott 1260 and 1832 as examples (the red lilac Amateur Radio issue (1964) and the purple Edith Wharton stamp (1980). I have never used a branded fluid, choosing instead to rely on Ronsonol lighter fluid. The fluid evaporates without impacting the gum. Some here may argue that there could be long-term effects caused by residue left by the fluid; however, mint stamps I tested in the 1980s show no discernible damage. |
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norsten
Member
Posts: 204
What I collect: Definitives from Western Europe, Swedish postmarks
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Post by norsten on May 16, 2020 15:36:50 GMT
tomiseksj, thanks for the tip. I have previously relied on just a lightsource and dark paper for watermark detection. It works well for Swedish stamps, but for UK Wildings it's definitely not good enough. However, in Sweden Ronsonol appears to be very hard to get hold of. Has anybody had any experience with Zippo lighter fuel?
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,216
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Post by rex on May 16, 2020 16:01:14 GMT
Fluids make the watermarks very clear to see, but has the problem to evaporate very quickly, besides it's not really healthy breathe gasoline. Not good for a certain ammount of stamps. This is my humble and personal opinion, It Is certainly not the gospel.
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