The Essential Supplies, Tools and Equipment For Stamp Collecting; From Newbie to Advanced

I reckon stamp collecting is one of the cheapest hobbies to start, though costs can easily mount once you get into it! Setting yourself up with the basic supplies for stamp collecting need not cost more than £30, especially if you shop around for second hand tools and equipment, or get creative with things you may already have to hand. Once you start getting into it, expect to pay £100-£150 for some nice accessories and supplies, then the sky is the limit!

Essentially, to start stamp collecting you’ll just need basic tools like tweezers (‘tongs’), a magnifying glass, and a stock book or album. For storing and displaying stamps, you may want hinges or mounts, and you’ll want plenty of glassine bags or envelopes for temporary storage. A basic stamp catalogue or list will help you identify and learn about your stamps.

But of course, you’ll probably soon find yourself wanting more as your collection grows! This short guide covers everything you’ll most likely need from newbie to intermediate to pro.

When I first started collecting stamps many moons ago, I had very little equipment; pretty much some stamps and some plastic-fronted bags my dad gave me. But very quickly, I found myself needing a little more. I asked for some basic stamp collecting supplies for my birthday, and was so excited to get a stock book, some tweezers and … some more stamps of course! I used a school award book token prize to buy my very fist Stanley Gibbons simplified GB catalogue from the book shop. And that was me off. Who knew that many years later, I would have my own little stamp business; The Posted Stamp!

For the Newbies: Getting Started

Alright, my lovelies. Let’s start with the basics. These are the must-haves that’ll get you sorting, organising and admiring your stamps in no time:

1. Tweezers aka tongs: Whether you call them tweezers or tongs, these will help you to handle your stamps, reducing the likelihood of tearing and prevent the transfer of oils from your fingers. Look for ones with flat, smooth tips – they’re gentler on the stamps. Tweezers come in various shapes and sizes, so you might want to try a few to find your perfect fit. Personally I use the 120mm Prinz spoon-shaped tweezer. Make sure to use tweezers designed for stamp collecting as other designs like those that are ridged or point can damage your stamps.
2. Magnifying glass: A basic magnifying glass without light is perfect if you are a beginner. It’ll help you spot those tiny details that make stamps fascinating. Look for one with about 4-10x magnification to start. As you get more into the hobby, you might find yourself wanting to upgrade to one with built-in lighting, but for now, a simple handheld magnifier will do the trick. It’s fine if you feel the need to invest a bit more on a magnifying glass at this stage because a good magnifier is handy for all sorts of hobbies and other things besides!
3. Stock book or moveable album pages: Both have their merits, so it depends on personal preference and your use case. A stock book is great for moving stamps around and reorganizing your collection. It’s perfect for when you’re still figuring out how you want to categorize your stamps (which is an ongoing challenge to be honest…). An album, on the other hand, is ideal for more permanent displays or themed collections. At this stage I would keep things flexible. My favourite semi-permanent album pages are the Prinz stock sheets system. Out of all the brands of a similar design I’ve used or handled these are by far the best quality. They are the only ones I have found the glue not to degrade. They are a great balance between stock book and album. There’s lots of different sizes and they are relatively affordable since they last a lifetime. I’d recommend starting with the double-sided, 5 or 6 strip option as these will fit most stamps.
4. Envelopes, paper bags and/or glassine bags: Glassine envelopes, paper bags, or plastic-fronted bags are perfect for organizing and storing stamps temporarily. These materials are acid-free and won’t damage your stamps. They’re great for sorting stamps by country, theme, or any other category you fancy. They make it easier to keep things together as you sort through your collection, when you’re deciding how to arrange your album.
5. Storage boxes: You may also need a larger box to keep things in. This could be as simple as a cardboard packing box, or you could get something fancier. I have various small plastic boxes for the most part. Shoe boxes are always good!
6. Basic catalogue or list: A simple stamp catalogue is like a treasure map. It’ll help you identify stamps, learn about their history, and get an idea of their value (although take catalogue values with a pinch of salt). If you prefer a physical object, look for an old general world or country catalogue to start – it’ll cover a wide range of stamps and give you a great overview of what’s out there. If you shop around you can find catalogues a few years old for a good price. A year old (2023) Stanley Gibbons basic GB catalogue is currently selling for about £10 including delivery. If you want a free digital option there are excellent catalogues online now including StampWorld and Freestampcatalogue.com; the latter is a bit easier to use from a catalogue point of view. As you focus your collection, you might want to invest in more specialized catalogues.

Levelling Up: Intermediate Tools

Ready to take your collection to the next level? Brilliant. Here are some tools that’ll help you navigate going from newbie to more experienced:

1. Good Lighting: Never underestimate the power of good lighting. A daylight lamp with adjustable brightness and colour temperature can help you see stamps in their true colours. This is crucial for identifying subtle shade variations that can make a big difference in a stamp’s value. Consider a desk lamp with a flexible arm so you can position it just right. I have one with a flexible arm and a built in magnifying glass, which is cool!
2. Magnifying Glass with Light: Time to upgrade that magnifier! The more stamps you look at, the more you will appreciate a little light on your magnifier as well. It allows you to see fine details in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Some even come with multiple levels of magnification, which can be super handy. Some people prefer a loupe or folding magnifier. I have a large one like this.
3. Perforation Gauge: This little tool helps you measure the tiny teeth along the edges of stamps. Different perforation measurements can mean different stamp varieties, sometimes with significant differences in value. These are often handed out free with catalogues or at events. I have various versions from freebies to the Stanley Gibbons Instanta Perforation Gauge.
4. More Specialised Catalogue: Time to upgrade that basic catalogue to something which is more inline with your interests. Depending on what inspires you most, you might want one that includes information on different stamp varieties, printing methods, and maybe even pricing information. Or, one on a specific country or theme. Plus, comparing older catalogues with newer ones can give you insights into how stamp values change over time. More specialised catalogues aren’t often issued every year. If you are happy to get one about 5 years old, then you’ll save a lot of money too.
5. More Storage Options: As your collection grows, so will your storage needs. Invest in more stock books for your active collecting areas; I have too many stock books to count! Consider themed or country-specific albums for more focused collections. Some albums come with pre-printed pages for specific countries or themes, which can be a fun way to start a focused collection. I have a mixture of pre-printed and flexible.
6. Hinges and Mounts: These are essential for displaying your stamps safely. Stamp hinges are great for used stamps – they’re small, gummed pieces of paper that let you attach stamps to album pages. I only use them in certain cases, but they are super affordable and invisible to to the front of the stamp. I prefer Hawid mounts. These clear, plastic sleeves protect your stamps while showcasing them beautifully. You can buy them pre-cut or in larger strips for cutting yourself.
7. Stamp removing liquid: I do tend to leave self-adhesive stamps on the backing paper, but if you want to remove them, you’ll want some special stamp removing fluid. I can’t recommend a brand, having never used it, but there are plenty out there to try.
8. Blotting paper: I don’t really see this listed elsewhere, but blotting paper, I feel, is an essential part of the stamp collector’s toolkit. It makes drying stamps after soaking much easier. It’s basically just a thick artists papers that’s good at absorbing water. This paper has been in my stash since almost day one; I’ve tried other ways and this is the best.

For the Serious Collectors: Advanced Equipment

Alright, you stamp superstars. If you’re in deep and loving every minute of it, these advanced tools will take your collecting game to pro levels:

1. Digital Microscope: This tool takes ‘getting up close and personal’ with your stamps to a whole new level. A good digital microscope can connect to your computer, allowing you to examine stamps in incredible detail on your screen. It’s perfect for spotting printing flaws, studying intricate designs, or even creating beautiful close-up images of your favourite stamps. This item is certainly on my wish list. Failing this option, it’s amazing how close a mobile phone can get nowadays! Just mount it on something stable – i.e. don’t try to hold it by hand – and you’ll be amazed at the detail you can capture.
2. Specialised Catalogues and Online Software: As your collection becomes more focused, you’ll want more detailed information. Specialized catalogues for specific countries, time periods, or themes can provide in-depth knowledge about your area of interest. When I first started stamp collecting many moons ago, online catalogues were not a thing, but now you are spoilt for choice. That being said if you want something super specialist, you’ll need to fork out a bit of cash. I have three different specialised machin catalogues – because I love them so much! One day, perhaps my birthday, or if people buy me enough coffees, I’d like to subscribe to the Stanley Gibbons online catalogue.
3. Good Camera and/or Scanner: High-quality images of your stamps are essential for documenting your collection, sharing with other collectors, or even selling duplicates. A good digital camera with a macro lens can capture stunning details. Although mobile phones can do a good job, digital cameras can do much better. Personally, I prefer a scanner for imaging stamps. Occasionally mine struggles with some stamps; it’s just a cheap Canon one, but it’s great.
4. eBay Account or similar: An eBay account can be both a blessing and a portal of doom. It’s great for selling stamps you don’t want and getting a few pennies for new ones. You can find everything from common stamps to great deals on some rare treasures. Just please remember to research thoroughly and buy from reputable sellers only, otherwise the risk is on you. Selling on eBay can also be a great way to connect with other collectors and learn more about more realistic market values.
5. Stamp Magazine Subscription: Staying up-to-date with the latest news, trends, and discoveries in the stamp world is super important if you are serious about collecting. A subscription to a stamp magazine can provide valuable insights, collecting tips, and information about new issues. Many magazines also feature articles on stamp history and culture, adding depth to your philatelic knowledge. Some popular options include Gibbon’s Stamp Monthly, Stamp and Stamp Collector (latter includes coins too).
6. Watermark detector: If you are looking at a lot of older stamps, you may need multiple watermark detection methods. I wouldn’t recommend a specific one, because none work perfectly, but sometimes trying different ones allows you to piece it together.
7. Mount cutter: I love my little mount cutter. I mean it’s kind of expensive and luxury for what a pair of scissors or a more multi-functional guillotine would do, but I love how cute it is. It’s sharp and cuts Hawid mounts really easily and neatly. With scissors there is always the risk of not cutting the mounts straight. If you normally buy pre-cut mounts, this one will save you money in the longer run as you cut your own. Plus, you can cut different sizes.
8. Colour Guide: Colours in the stamp world are somewhat complex and are easy to get confused over. A specialized colour guide is pretty much essential if you are working with stamp colours and shades. It’ll help you accurately identify colour variations that can make some stamps more valuable than others. I use the Stanley Gibbons colour key.
9. Adjustable Wavelength UV Light: Remember when you were a kid and you wrote secret messages in ink only visible with UV light? This tool kind of does the same for postage stamps! Different wavelengths can reveal different stamp features like fluorescence and phosphorescence. An adjustable UV light lets you switch between long-wave and short-wave UV, giving you more flexibility; I have separate Prinz long wave and short wave lamps. These are battery powered, so are super portable. Just remember to use eye protection when working with UV light. When I use these, it’s the only time I wish the nights were darker early!

This is really a guide to say you don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with the basics and add to your toolkit as your collection (and obsession) grows. And if you’re wondering what stamps to focus on, check out our previous blog post on choosing stamps to collect for some inspiration.

Got questions? Our FAQs section might have the answers you’re looking for.

So, what are your must-have stamp collecting tools? Drop a comment below and share your favourite ‘can’t do without’ items. Let’s swap tips and tricks – after all, sharing is caring in the stamp collecting world.

Happy collecting, friends.