Few stamp collectors would dream of hiding away their stamp collection, indeed most stamp collectors pride themselves in their stamps and like to show off when they can. That though is not to say that there are not rare stamps locked securely away in safe deposit boxes around the world. Displaying and exhibiting stamps though is not necessary an easy undertaking

Most stamp collectors house their stamps in stamp albums, although the traditional album has evolved. In the past stamps used to be fixed in place with stamp hinges. Stamp hinges are fine for showing off stamps but are not to be used if the stamps are valuable. Stamp hinges basically work by sticking to the stamp and the pages of the stamp album.

Stamps should not be affixed to the stamp album but rather should be placed in stamp mounts. Stamp mounts hold stamps in place but the stamps are free to be removed.

Stamp albums are still the best method for showing off large numbers of stamps, as they can hold hundreds or thousands of stamps. For a special set some stamp collectors like to put their stamps on more prominent display. It is easy enough to frame a set simply by mounting the stamps in stamp mounts and then getting a glass and frame.

Stamp dealers though are also stamp exhibitors and at events such as stamp and postcard fairs, stamp dealers need to show off their wares in order to attract buyers. Most stamps are displayed in one of three main ways. Valuable stamps are housed in stamp albums. Stamps are not fixed in, as in traditional stamp albums, but are in stamp stockbooks, where stamps can be removed without damaging the stamps. Cheap common stamps are normally housed en masse in a box, where potential purchasers can rummage looking for a stamp that may complete a set for them.

In some cases extremely rare stamps are put on prominent display, often in locked glass cabinets. This ensures that any interested party has to make the stamp dealer aware of interest before they can get a close look at the stamp.

With stamps on display the main guideline for stamp exhibitors, be they the stamp collector or the stamp dealer, is to adopt a policy of look but don't touch. There is little need to see any stamp outside of an album unless a purchase is to follow. When stamps are to be looked at closely it is vital that stamps are not handled. The oil from fingers can damage stamps, and although this damage may not be obvious to the naked eye, will show up under a microscope. To prevent this damage stamps should always be moved around through the use of a pair of tweezers.

Learn more about this author, Tim Harry.
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