The portable battery-powered philatelic UV lamps are extremely handy. However, they are also very low power, so they are difficult to use effectively in well-lit areas. I do not have one of those, but I've used them and have seen them used at stamp stores and occasionally at shows. Good enough to check between untagged and tagged varieties. If the lighting is good, sometimes you have to shade the stamp a little with your hand if the taggant is weak. Also, in well-lit areas, it is extremely difficult to discern between pre-phosphored varieties (if you are into those kinds of things).
At home, I would recommend turning off the ceiling room lights, and if you use a desk lamp, have it displaced a few feet from where you will exam the stamps for best results.
Yes, the plug-in models are higher wattage and more effective, but not very portable. You will not have to turn off any lights with the plug-in models. They tend to be much bigger in size, thus "self-shading".
Have fun! Looking for tagging varieties, tagging shifts (not too difficult to find), and tagging marks in the selvage can be very addictive.
k
Posted 08/14/2009 3:57 pm
