Equipment For A New Collector?

Starting out as a new stamp collector after receiving my great grandfather's collection, I know a perf gauge is a must and maybe some special fluid to see watermarks, (I have heard lighter fluid with a certain compound works *debatable)

Is there anything else equipment-wise that I might be missing? so far on my list, I have a good microscope, perf gauge, watermark fluid and I'm using his old tongs.

Activated, you have a "search" function on every page on this forum. Try that for basic questions - there is a wealth of info here.
Having said that, please be careful with lighter fluid since it is highly flammable. Best is to start off with a bright light behind the stamp or just plain water. You need a black dish to put the water and the stamp in.
Another item you might need is some stamp tongues.


Peter

Lighter fuel is, by definition, inflammable, but I've never generated flames from it, except when lighting cigarettes. It's the normal substance for seeing watermarks. You'll also need alcohol to console you while watermark-hunting. A good Islay malt such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin etc should do the trick.

Starting out? These: a stock book, tongs, magnifying glass, a good light/lamp, perf gauge, early ideas of what you may want to collect, a budget, one or more catalogs of the country/area you're interested in, an album of some kind.

Don't get hung up about watermark/lighter fluid, it's not an every day thing.

I'd forget the microscope, and buy a scanner. (Epson)

Don't get too hung up on buying a lot of equipment until you figure out if this is the right hobby for you and what you are going to collect. You can start out cheap and get better stuff as your interests grow.

You need:
- A basic perforation gauge - you might even get one for free with other purchases.
- A magnifying glass. I'd recommend starting with something in the 3x-5x range $10+. Glass is usually better but will cost more.
- Tongs (tweezers) for picking up and handling stamps. $5-10 bucks
- A water mark tray is nice and generally cheap but you can use other things. Ronsonol lighter fluid is cheap. A bottle from Wally World is only a couple bucks.
- A stockbook for storing stamps, there are plenty of used ones on ebay at a reasonable price. $20 +/-

Early on, album pages can be downloaded for free and simple 3 ringed binders work but you should pay attention to acid free supplies like paper products, binders and so on but with the stock book you can wait and read up on them for later.

After you get settled, you can add other and more costly tools like a scanner, digital microscope, sweat-box (stamplift), catalogs, color gauges, etc.

Did anybody mention a gauge? It a must for measuring height and width.

Jack Kelley

Bear in mind that you can happily collect stamps without ever looking for a watermark, measuring a perforation or using a magnifying glass. All you need are some stamps and something to put them in.

Activated - You have the most important tool already. A computer. Endless information available and access to tremendous amounts of knowledge and expertise in places such as this glorious forum. Enjoy!

Some stamp dealer cards and a box to keep them in help me when I'm sorting through a bunch of stuff making identifications. a #2 pencil to put the catalogue code on them. I think of it as a weigh station for the stockbook/album etc.

I would suggest the answer as to what you need depends on (a) what state of order the collection is in already and (b) what you want to do with it.

If the collection is in albums, and the stamps sorted and labelled then there's not much need for watermarking or perf measurement. If you have loose stamps as well, and want to identify them, you can go down those routes if you want - you'll need a detailed catalogue (or online resource) in order to identify which varieties of a given stamp exist. Many collectors start out collecting 'simplified', and ignore varieties like watermarks, just collecting one of each design.

Basic gear for handling stamps - stamp tweezers/tongs (which you already have) and a place to store stamps you have sorted - envelopes (you can get specialist 'glassines' for this if you prefer) and if you want to put stamps you have sorted in some sort of display, I would suggest a stock book as a temporary home for them.

On the subject of watermarking, I used to find it daunting but it's really quite easy. I use petrol-style lighter fuel. Stamps go face-down on a hard, dark surface - could be a ceramic tile, a plate, laptop lid, whatever, or you can buy something designed for purpose. Saturate the face-down stamp in lighter fuel and the watermark should become visible. A few minutes are then needed for the fuel to evaporate away. Play with your less important stamps to begin with, would be my advice, until you are comfortable with it.

Great stuff Geoff, but you should've mentioned Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Kilchoman (my preferred go-to's, BTW!). Hope to make it over to Islay one of these years, hopefully sooner than later! Ray

Ray - you're much more advanced than me. You're talking to someone who once asked for bourbon at a boozy lunch at the Scotch Whisky Association!

There is also a fluorescent lamp that is a must in some cases to check for tagging, fluorescence, etc. If you collect stamps pre 1960, you might not need one but for more modern stamps that becomes a must in my book.

Dan

If you have a world wide collecting interest, I found, as a newbie, starting out that the ole Harris "Stamp Finder" guide was invaluable. Not fancy, but a great resource.

I think that Stampsmarter.org may have some very good on-line tools available.