| "How will I start?", "What materials will I needed?" | | | | - Albums fall under two categories-"printed" and |
| and "Where can I buy them?" are just some of | | | | "blank". Printed ones give spaces with outlines and |
| the common questions asked by people who | | | | descriptions of what stamp that is to be placed in |
| want to engage themselves in a hobby. And | | | | each space. These are perfect for beginners and |
| purchasing a stamp collection kit is the perfect | | | | kids. However, many professional and advanced |
| answer. | | | | collectors prefer to use them throughout their |
| A stamp collection kit is complete with materials | | | | entire collecting life. |
| necessary to start the hobby. Kits come in | | | | Tips: Choose loose-leaf albums. It will allow you to |
| different versions - deluxe series, for professional | | | | insert blank pages wherever you wish to and |
| collectors, starter series, for beginners and junior | | | | easily remove sections for rearrangement. |
| series, for kids. Junior and starter series help kids | | | | Duplicate, new and not-yet-mounted stamps can |
| and beginners to mount and design easily, while | | | | be kept safe in Stock books. |
| professional series allow experts to freely create | | | | 4. MAGNIFYING GLASS |
| their own style. However, all kits include the | | | | - One of the most important tools for a stamp |
| following: | | | | collector is a good magnifying glass. Most of them |
| 1. STAMPS | | | | carry one wherever they go. |
| - Junior kits contain 50-100 U.S. stamps. While | | | | Tips: A magnifying glass with a lens power of |
| more advanced series contain up to 2000 pieces. | | | | 3 or 4 is satisfactory. |
| Tips: Don't get overly ambitious at the start. | | | | 5. TONGS |
| Work on with an initial set of one to two | | | | - This is a tool used to pick up and hold a stamp |
| thousand different stamps. Too much pile can be | | | | when mounting or classifying. |
| exhausting which will eventually lessen one's | | | | Tips: Use tongs in place of fingers to avoid |
| enthusiasm. | | | | damaging or folding the stamps. |
| 2. HINGES | | | | Other tools not included in some kits are: |
| - A stamp hinge is a small piece of thin, but tough, | | | | perforation gauge, which measure the holes in a |
| paper applied with a special adhesive. Hinges come | | | | stamp; millimeter rule, measures the size of the |
| in different sizes and styles and are in almost | | | | stamp and watermark sensor, used to detect the |
| universal use. | | | | water mark on the stamp. |
| Tips: Both ends of the hinge should be | | | | Stamp collection is an easy, inexpensive and |
| moistened. Do not wet the entire hinge. Lesser | | | | enjoyable hobby. And now that kits are readily |
| moisture will prevent damaging the stamps and | | | | available, anyone can start mounting and make |
| can make the album look neat. | | | | stamp collection a life-time hobby. |
| 3. ALBUMS | | | | |