First do NO HARM - beginner’s guide to proper stamp handling

Hi philatelia, great idea for a thread. When I first started collecting stamps I read many & varied articles on the do's & don'ts of the hobby. Starting off with an old used GB collection then moving onto unmounted mint only, so the principals of both were perused & most remembered.
SOME OF THE "RULES FOR USED/MINT" were. 1. Learn from other collectors (as your examples above demonstrate).
2. Seek out the best example of each stamp you want, (if a better example comes along, try to replace it).
3. Stamps should be as clean as possible without tears, cuts, missing or torn perforations, thins, toning, stains, pencil or ink annotations on the back or front unless catalogued as such.
4. Pin holes can de-value stamps. in Victorian times it was fashionable to make decorations from stamps, the decorations being hung up using pins.
5. Most stamps should be well centered with a good crisp fine cancellation. The term sock on the nose has always annoyed me, because advice to many GB collectors is that the monarchs head should be mainly clear of cancellation marks on MANY certain types of stamps, making them better quality. Apologies to collectors who prefer to collect. cancellations.
6. Try to keep your stamps/collection in good atmospheric conditions & definitely away from any moisture/damp.
7. When purchasing stamps use the catalogue values as a guide only, not as set in stone.
8. Beware of forgeries/fakes there are many on the markets.
9. Use the best accessories you can afford such as perforation gauges, albums, tweezers (tongs). When handling stamps, acid (sweat) or dirt on your fingers can spoil stamps.
10. Handle stamps as little & as carefully as possible. Keep drinks/liquids away from stamps.
11. Don't overfill your albums & store them upright. Slip cases for albums add extra protection for them.
12. Sunlight can damage stamps keep them away from it. (stamps are not just made from paper).