Scanning Stamps? Images

I have heard of a number of folks who "scan" their stamps and save images as part of their collection and perhaps to catalog and/or sell and so forth.

What do folks use for stamp scanning this is efficient and can process a lot of stamps.

I would like to do for some of my higher end things as insurance of record of inventory.

Does this potentially damage the stamp, particularly pre-1940 US or older issues from 19th century?

Thank you in advance.

A scanner will scan anything you put in it. It is basically a photocopier that has the ability to put the scanned image onto a computer. It will not harm anything as the stamps are onlt exposed for a very short time. Scanners usually let you select only a section of a page to record - say one stam or a grooup of stamps. Then it is down to you to process the image however you like . The other option is to use one just like a colour photocopier a print out a copy. This may be what you are looking for

AQ

I place my duplicate stamps for sale in a stock page with the Scott # on a paper to the side. I then scan that entire page. I ensure plenty of space between stamps because I duplicate the scanned image and crop it down to a single stamp. I do this on my iPhone and use cropped images for my ebay lot listings. Is this the type of workflow idea you are after? I can't image a method of feeding stamps through a tray or feeder. I scan JPGs at 600 dpi

Most of us probably use the scanning element of our printer, but you can also get devices such as handheld scanners (which I haven't tried).

Scanning is the best form of inventory.
You'll need an Epson Perfection of one model or another.
It will enable you to scan up to 40 stamps in one go,
(one after another individually) or a platen of stamps at once.

(See member Postmaster for software)

Why stop at stamps? scanning can do your life's work
Receipts photographs, grocery lists
Payments. etc & etc ad nasueum

Using "Agent Ransack" I can find a scanned image in a group of 1 million
in a matter of seconds.

PS: Opinion.
Scanning for insurance : You only need scan stamps with a CV over $10
the rest would be adjudged at 20c each.

I have a scan of everything which is in my collection.

I started about 9 years ago when I first applied for insurance on my collection. I had no idea what it was worth, so I started inventorying it.

I created a spreadsheet using Excel, and then as I entered each stamp, I scanned it. The image scans are are in separate folders.

I had looked at a number of different "inventory" programs, but I just couldn't get them to do what I wanted. Hence, the method I use.

It works for me and it's turned into a great tool as well. Now, when I'm looking at an auction catalog, an APS sales book or something on ebay, I can check the images I have stored and see whether I need the item or if it would be an upgrade.

Additionally, for insurance purposes, the two things - the Excel spreadsheet inventory and image files - mean I have a complete record of the collection. Or will have when I finish....

Scanning stamps does not harm them. Some will say that repeated exposure to the scanner light will affect the color and fade the ink. I don't know how many times you'd need to scan a stamp to pull this off. I scan a stamp once and save it in a file and shouldn't need to scan it again. The beauty of scanning images is the ability to find varieties & flaws that otherwise might be missed with a magnifying glass. I scan all my stamps at 1200 DPI and covers at 600DPI which gives beautiful detail like this;

I scan all of my higher valued stamps at 2400 dpi, which is probably overkill. Then I upload to my inventory software, which is StampManage. Finally, I can create PDF files from StampManage which travel with me in my phone or tablet. What is nice is that the PDF can then be zoomed in or out to look for the details mentioned earlier. It takes some time, but is readily available.

Smart phones and cameras these days are able to take reasonably high res photos. For valuable stamps, I won't risk them under the scanning light.

Very nice stalizer!

May I ask what risk? Most scanners have LED lamps now and I'd imagine your stamps have a much longer exposure to your stamp room light than they ever will scanning a stamp once or twice.

The exposure to light is so transitory during the scanning process that damage can be considered nil. Sure, keep stamps out of direct sunlight for as long as possible but I see no reason to worry about it.

I scan my stamps not only for inventory but also for insurance purposes. Typically I'll use 400 DPI as any higher resolution doesn't serve any better purpose other than to clog up my storage media. If I want a higher resolution for any reason I'll scan them separately.

All my files are saved as PDF format. Very easy to manage. Ooh, I just noticed 1000 posts are up.