Start with Set Completeness, then Examine Each Stamp
Single stamps, blocks of four, full sheets, first-day covers and albums require different checks. Early commemoratives, Cultural Revolution-era issues, Large Dragons, Red Revenues and zodiac stamps should be identified by issue year, catalogue number, set size and format rather than subject alone.
Keep the Album in Its Original Order
Do not rush to remove stamps from stock pages, mounts or envelopes. Pulling apart damp, stuck material can lift gum or paper fibres, while a full sheet should not be folded along its perforations. Photograph the cover and each page before taking close-ups of key items.
What a Stamp Valuation Checks
| Issue details | Year, catalogue number, face value, number of stamps in the set, sheet inscription and printer's imprint |
|---|---|
| Front | Colour, paper, perforations, short or missing perforations, creases, stains and cancellations |
| Back | Original gum, hinge marks, thinning, foxing, mildew and adhesion |
| Full sheets and multiples | Sheet margins, plate number, joined perforations and fold positions |
| Supporting material | Albums, certificates, covers, old labels and provenance records |
Record Complete Sets, Loose Stamps and Full Sheets Separately
Sort first by country or region, issue year and catalogue number, then check the number of stamps and denominations required for a complete set. Place loose stamps from one set together on a page. Keep the sheet margins, inscriptions and positions of blocks, full sheets and miniature sheets. If one stamp is missing, record the gap rather than filling it with a similar-looking issue.
A full sheet's margins, printer's imprint, colour bars, plate number and joined perforations may reveal more than an individual stamp photograph. Do not keep folding an old crease or tear a sheet apart for close-ups. If a sheet is framed or inside a protective sleeve, photograph the visible front and back and any markings on the sleeve first.
Use Even Light for Perforations and Paper Edges
Check for complete, short, missing, folded or reperforated teeth, particularly at the four corners. A dark background can show the shape of the perforations, but it must be clean and smooth and must not adhere to the stamp. Preserve all four margins of imperforate, cut or wide-margined issues; do not trim them.
For a cancelled stamp, record the date, place name and completeness of the cancellation as well as the design. Photograph a postally used cover in full, including front, back, postmarks and seal; never cut off the stamp. First-day covers, commemorative covers and ordinary postally used covers serve different purposes and should remain in their original categories.
For a practical sorting method, see Collectible Stamps. If an album also contains banknotes or revenue stamps, leave the original page intact and photograph its heading clearly.
Examples of Identifiable Philatelic Material
- 1980 T44M Qi Baishi Paintings Souvenir Sheet
- 1980 T46 Year of the Monkey Stamp Sheet
- 1980 T46 Year of the Monkey Stamp
- 1980 T54M Lotus Souvenir Sheet
- 1981 T58 Year of the Rooster Full Stamp Sheet
Do Not Wet Gum or Remove Hinges for a Photograph
Place a stamp in its mount under raking light to show the gum surface. If a loose stamp's reverse must be photographed, hold only the edge gently with stamp tongs. Record the date and place name on a cancellation, and keep both sides of a postally used cover complete.
Original gum, regumming, hinge marks, thinning and adhered paper can affect sheen, texture and paper thickness, but photographs may not distinguish them. Do not touch the gum with a finger or test it with water. Leave old hinges, paper remnants and labels in place and photograph their boundaries closely.
Stop Turning Pages if an Album Is Damp
If pages show damp, mildew, adhesion or rippling, lay the album flat in a dry, ventilated place away from other paper. Do not put it in the sun, apply hot air or force stamps apart. Photograph only the full view of pages that turn safely; leave stuck areas untouched. Record the affected area and any musty smell so later handling can be discussed in light of the paper's condition.
Handwritten notes, purchase dates, stamp packets and the order of an old album can help explain provenance, so there is no need to rearrange it into a neater new album. If an interleaf has become brittle or stuck to a stamp, photograph the page structure before attempting anything and do not pull it free.
Stamp Background Guides
- 1980 T46 Monkey Stamp: Issue Data, Perforations and Gum
- Zodiac Stamps: Issue Details, Formats and Condition
- 1980 T46 Gengshen Monkey Stamp: Single, Block or Full Sheet
For a complete album, first send the cover, every page and close-ups of key stamps. Keep page numbers visible so any additional photograph can be requested precisely.
