Collecting stamps is a common hobby but taking proper care of them
is important. Here are a few do's and don'ts of stamp collecting.
Examine stamps carefully for any faults, including marks, creases,
stains, damage to the gum.
Invest in a pair of stamp tongs to handle the stamps carefully
and a strong magnifying glass to be able to examine them.
Never pick up stamps with your bare hands. The natural oils from
your fingertips can damage the stamp.
Remove stamps from envelopes by soaking them in clean warm water.
Dry them face down, on clean white paper at room temperature. Be
sure that you remove all the gum on the back of the stamp.
Take the dry stamps and press them flat between the pages of
a book. Once the stamps have been pressed, they can be mounted in
an album.
Since your collection will be continually expanding, it is better
to buy a loose-leaf album in which you can add pages for new issues.
Do mount your stamps properly.
There are two ways to mount stamps: sticking a stamp down with
a thin translucent stamp hinge or placing the stamp in a prepared
stamp mount, which is then affixed to the album.
Don't use tape or adhesives of any kind to mount any stamps.
If you don't want to mount them in an album, keep them in envelopes
in a box. Stamps are best kept in acid-free, archival-quality storage
envelopes and boxes. Avoid plastics because they contain and attract
acidic residue that can be harmful to stamps.
Always preserve stamps in a warm, dry climate. If possible, keep
your collection in the room that has the most stable environment.
Changes in humidity and temperature adversely affect the condition
of stamps.
Don't expose stamps to direct sunlight. When displaying stamps,
keep light levels as low as possible.
Keep food and drinks away from your collection. Enjoy your morning
cup of coffee, but never while working with your stamp collection.
Accidental spills can ruin stamps collected painstakingly over years.
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