How To Keep Track Of Your Collection?

Hi tomd

When I was teaching an introductory computer class at a community college one of the students showed me this site. If you liked the periodic table you'll like this site:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.ed...ase/hph.html

They have now added math:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.ed...t.html#hmath

Jerry B

I'm using StampCat.

Cheap and simple.

http://www.fnprg.com/stampcat/index.html

Okay, but I don't have that budget, to buy a collecting program.
I think it is also throwing money away.

So, again, which mandatory columns do I need to make a simple list?
I think:

| No. in Album | S&G No. | Amount |

But maybe do you guys have some additions?

Hey Rik,

First buying a collection program is not a waste of money, BUT, buying one before you know what you want is.

There is no right or wrong way to do this, only what works for others. You now have to decide what you need to keep track of for your stamps.


Some of the information you will need is also your columns with examples.

1) if you are keeping countries in there own book title is the countries name. If more than one country is being added that would be a column.

2) Date of issue 14 Nov 1945

3) Description Open Bible and page from Book of Hours, 15th century

4) Series Christmas Issue

5) catalog #; here is what catalog you are using, Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Mikel's or Yvert's.
You can use all of them and one of your own too. Each would have it's own column, with your main catalog used as one of the first. My catalog is the stamp # of input. for example an Australian stamp would be: AUS 0102U for the 102 stamp and a used condition where m would be mint. or AUS 0102uop for the same stamp with an over print.

6) Face valve 4 pence

7) Stamp size 35mm x 58mm

8) Perforation 14 1/2 x 15

9) Misc Information This stamp design was based on the "Wharncliffe Hours", a 15th century book of devotions, originally owned by the Earl of Wharncliffe, this devotion now resides in the Victorian National Gallery, Melbourne.

10) and on what ever you want.

This can be placed in any order with some of the above information to all and more.
It really is a personnel thing, and how much you want to put into it.

To some, Country, date, catalog # and quantity is all they want. To others a list of all the stamps by number with a spot to check off what they have. and any where in between.

What are your items you think you need? And be prepared to change it till you find what you what to keep track of. You may not want a computer program or find out there is one that you would be happy with. But before you spend money that is in short supply you need to be happy, this is a fun and relaxing one not a pain in the ### one. I completely know the money part, I have put money aside for stamps to only buy food or help some one who need help. But you can email me with anything or post it for other inputs. I have used some of the inputs and not others because we are all different and do things different. But again be happy. I forgot what are you collecting or like me EVERTHING, being new to the hobby.

Sorry for bing long winded, I tend to ramble sometimes.

Your friend Tom

Thanks Jerry,
Great site



There I go again with those dumb dancing banana's.
I do like them

Tomd, I don't understand your post.
Would you be so kind to write the most important columns down.
Please in the format what I did.

Like so: "Col1-Col2-Col3", etcetera.
Do you understand me?

Many Thanks,

Rik

| No. in Album | SG No. | Country | Amount | Description | Series | Face valve | Stamp size | Perforation | Misc Information |

Is that any better

Tom

For those on a budget, there is a free, open source app called GCstar, that is a "collection manager." It comes with various built in templates, one of which is for stamps. Runs on Linux, Mac and Windows.

http://gcstar.org/

Thanks Tom, that is what I needed!
Fantastic!

And apastuszak, I gonna check that program.
Also thanks for you.

i was curious and did the installation.

seems really nice, nothing fancy but it will do the job.

Yes it is a nice program.
Also easy to use!

Superb tip apastuszak!

Other columns to use maybe? You might add Used, Mint Hinged, Mint Never Hinged, Condition and maybe amount it cost (or that you paid?) .. or if you don't use a column for those, maybe some kind of color code? Black for used; Red for Mint Hinged, Blue for Mint Never Hinged ... or whatever works for you, of course.

(Then when entering, you might need to find some way to enter varieties ... )

Yes centerstage98, the option with those colors is a great idea.
Many thanks for that tip!

Have a look in Main Stamp collecting Forum.
thread Stamp Collecting Access Database.
see it and comment it please.

Cheers!
tikithindi

Colors, Never thought of that.

But I had found a program that combined the doc and spreadsheet files for me for my Mac.
LignUp Multi Collector. There are so many, but what works for the individual is all right. I do thank all the advice that I have been given. I had thought long and hard and researched all other inputs and this is the direction that I have gone.

So rikdegraaff as I have said try different ways, check out programs, BUT most of all be happy with what you decide on.

Happy stamping your friend Tom