Tools and accessories

You might be perfectly happy with keeping your stamp collection in a metal Altoids box. If you ever expand beyond that point, then there are a number of accessories and tools to help you preserve your stamps and make your stamp life easier. Aside from Stamp Encyclopedia here, of course.

Tools you must have

 * Magnifier
 * Perf gauge
 * Tongs aka stamp tweezers
 * Watermark fluid and (probably) a tray.
 * plus access to a worldwide Stamp catalog

The next level of tools and accessories

 * Hinges and/or mounts. If using mounts, a mount cutter is a solid requirement
 * Album, or stock book or stock pages
 * Ultraviolet light

Optional items

 * Basic reference library
 * '''Color guides

How to find them
If you are lucky, there is a stamp shop within easy travelling distance, however you might figure that. That way, you can see/smell/touch/taste and ask questions, plus there will be stamps to buy, too. Patronize your local dealer, they're becoming rare animals. Otherwise in the real world, there are a number of online suppliers; just search for "stamp collecting supplies". Names include Potomac Supplies, Subway Stamp Shop, Wizard Coin Supply and more. Amazon has supplies, but, fair warning, stick to the "name" brands as found on the supply sites. You will think "Hey, these guys are heavily discounted" and you will automatically ignore the local dealer. But shipping costs eat up much of that discount and more, with the cost of shipping continuing to rise significantly. You will also pay your local sales tax also. But there's that element of being delivered to you door instead of paying for gas to get to your faraway stamp store. And if you've found a favorite brand of some item and the local dealer can't carry it, then the online suppliers are the option. Your mileage may vary, as they say.

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