| Collectors all over the world need to take | | | | stamps to be easily viewed. |
| precaution when it comes to protecting their | | | | Many stamp collectors prefer stockbooks over |
| collection of stamps and by properly storing your | | | | albums because stamps can be arranged in |
| stamps you help them from any conditions that | | | | organized rows and can be removed easily. |
| may cause deterioration. | | | | Usually stockbooks come in either a bound or a |
| Collectors handle their stamps with care, but | | | | looseleaf format and they are priced according to |
| some times that is just not enough. It is vital that | | | | style, size, and type of binding. Albums offer |
| every collector protect their stamp collection | | | | illustrated space where stamps can be mounted |
| carefully by taking consideration how you store | | | | and most printed albums are used by collectors, |
| your stamps to keep them in the same condition | | | | however, they do offer a space for the majority |
| as when you purchased them. Covers can help | | | | of stamps offered by a country, but not all of |
| protect your stamps, but may prove to be | | | | them. The more advanced collector generally |
| awkward when handling. They should still be | | | | mounts their stamps on blank pages, which allows |
| handled with tongs and only by the outer edge, | | | | them to create any type of arrangement they |
| however, some collectors will use latex gloves to | | | | desire and even add notations or their own |
| help protect their stamps when handling their | | | | writeups. Many collectors will use their imaginations |
| stamps. | | | | when organizing their stamps to develop a more |
| How ever you decide to store your stamps, then | | | | complete arrangement. |
| you should always keep them in a temperature | | | | Other storage materials include stamp mounts, |
| controlled environment and completely away from | | | | which are inexpensive and are used to |
| direct light. Of course, it is alright to study your | | | | permanently protect more valuable stamps. |
| stamps under a lights, but do not allow them to | | | | These mounts usually comes in strips of a variety |
| remain under the light for long periods of time. | | | | of sizes, but a guillotine cutter can be used to cut |
| Light is an enemy of all stamps and their covers, | | | | the strip down to the desired size. Once the |
| whether they are in glass like envelopes or an | | | | stamp is placed in the mount, the backing on the |
| album, because any material can and will fade | | | | mount can be licked and then placed into an |
| over a period of time if exposed to any type of | | | | album. Stamp hinges are tiny folded squares of a |
| light. | | | | thin glassine paper which are gummed on one side |
| Glassine envelopes can be obtained from almost | | | | that allow a collector to mount a stamp, then lift |
| any store that sells collecting supplies for stamps. | | | | the stamp lightly to examine the back. Stamp |
| These envelopes are usually used to store small | | | | hinges are not recommended to be used for |
| quantities of individual stamps until the collector | | | | valuable stamps |
| can store them more properly in an album or | | | | Mounting covers should be stored in a special |
| stockbook. Stock cards are usually availble in two | | | | plastic holder before placing them in any type of |
| sizes, which are three by five or five by seven, | | | | album. There are many types of albums available, |
| and have horizontal rows of slots where stamps | | | | but most have plastic pages with compartments |
| can be placed. The older stock cards were made | | | | for each cover, but collectors have the ability to |
| of manila and had pockets, but the newer ones | | | | arrange or rearrange their stamps the way they |
| are either made from black or white card stock | | | | desire. |
| and the slots are made of clear plastic. This allows | | | | |