> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.storehouses.app/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Stamps & Philately > Complete guide to tracking rare stamps, philatelic collections, and postal history in Storehouses ## Overview Track your stamp collection with detailed fields for country, year, denomination, catalog numbers, and condition grades. Perfect for philatelists managing rare stamps, first day covers, postal history, and complete sets. * Country and year issued * Scott/Michel/Stanley Gibbons catalog numbers * Condition grading (mint, used, etc.) * Centering and gum condition * Denomination and variety tracking * Market value tracking ## Adding a Stamp Click "Add Item" from your dashboard or go to [storehouses.app/add](https://storehouses.app/add) Choose "Stamps & Philately" as the category Fill in country, year, denomination, catalog number, and condition Upload high-resolution scans of front and back Click "Save Item" to add to your collection ## Stamp Fields ### Identification Issuing country or postal authority **Examples:** * United States * Great Britain * German Empire * Confederate States * French Colonies * China (specify period: Imperial, Republic, PRC) Use standard philatelic country names for consistency Year the stamp was issued **Examples:** * 1840 (Penny Black) * 1893 (Columbian Exposition) * 1918 (Inverted Jenny) * 2024 (modern commemorative) **Use:** Critical for: * Identification * Catalog reference * Era classification Face value of the stamp **Examples:** * 1 penny * 5 cents * 2 marks * \$1.00 * Non-denominated (Forever stamp) Include the currency unit for clarity ### Catalog References Scott Catalog number (primary reference for US and worldwide) **Examples:** * US: 1 (1847 5-cent Franklin) * US: C3a (Inverted Jenny) * GB: 1 (Penny Black) * Germany: 1 (1872 small shield) Scott numbers are the standard reference in North America Alternative catalog numbers **Common catalogs:** * **Stanley Gibbons (SG)** - British Commonwealth standard * **Michel** - German and European standard * **Yvert et Tellier** - French standard * **Zumstein** - Swiss specialist * **Sakura** - Japanese specialist **Example entries:** * "SG 1" (Penny Black) * "Michel 1" (German Empire) ### Condition Overall condition grade **Standard grades:** * **Superb (S)** - Exceptional, nearly perfect * **Extremely Fine (XF)** - Outstanding quality * **Very Fine (VF)** - Above average, well-centered * **Fine-Very Fine (F-VF)** - Nice example * **Fine (F)** - Average or better * **Very Good (VG)** - Below average * **Good (G)** - Presentable space filler * **Average** - Poor centering or condition Condition significantly impacts value. Be honest in your assessment. Whether the stamp is mint (unused) or used (cancelled) **Options:** * **Mint Never Hinged (MNH)** - Unused, full original gum, never hinged * **Mint Hinged (MH)** - Unused with hinge mark * **Mint No Gum (MNG)** - Unused, gum removed or never applied * **Used** - Postally used with cancellation * **Used CTO** - Cancelled to Order (not postally used) * **On Cover** - Still on original envelope * **On Piece** - On partial envelope For modern stamps, MNH commands the highest premiums ### Physical Attributes How well centered the design is within the perforations **Examples:** * "Perfectly centered" * "Well centered, slight shift right" * "Off-center, design touches left" * "Jumbo margins" **Why it matters:** Centering is a primary factor in grading and value Condition of the adhesive (mint stamps only) **Examples:** * "Original gum, never hinged" * "Original gum, light hinge remnant" * "Disturbed gum" * "Regummed" * "No gum" Regummed stamps should be noted - they have lower value than original gum Perforation gauge and condition **Examples:** * "Perf 12" (standard gauge) * "Perf 11 x 10.5" (different horizontal and vertical) * "Imperforate" * "Straight edge at left" * "Short perfs at bottom" ## Types of Philatelic Items * Mint singles * Used singles * Varieties and errors * Plate number singles * Plate blocks * Corner blocks * Strips * Full sheets * Booklet panes * First Day Covers (FDCs) * Commercial covers * Flight covers * Naval covers * Postal stationery * Complete sets * Year sets * Topical collections * Country collections * Color errors * Inverts * Missing perforations * Double prints * Plate flaws * Revenue stamps * Telegraph stamps * Locals and carriers * Officials * Semi-postals ## Tracking Examples ### Example 1: Classic US Stamp 1869 15-cent Landing of Columbus United States 1869 15 cents 118 Used Very Fine Well centered with neat cancel *** ### Example 2: British Classic 1840 Penny Black - Plate 6 Great Britain 1840 1 penny 1 SG 2, Plate 6 Used Fine-Very Fine Four margins, red Maltese Cross cancel *** ### Example 3: Modern Mint Block 1969 Moon Landing Plate Block of 4 United States 1969 10 cents C76 Mint Never Hinged Superb Original gum, never hinged Perfectly centered, plate block of 4 *** ### Example 4: Error Stamp 1918 Inverted Jenny (C3a) United States 1918 24 cents C3a Mint Hinged Fine Position 57 from the original sheet of 100 PSE certified, certificate #12345 Ex-collection John Smith ## Best Practices Always record catalog numbers: * **Scott** - North American standard * **Stanley Gibbons** - British Commonwealth * **Michel** - European standard * **Specialized catalogs** - For specific countries **Why:** Catalog numbers are essential for identification, valuation, and communication with other collectors Be honest about condition: * Use standard grading terminology * Note any faults (thins, tears, creases) * Describe centering accurately * Note gum condition for mint stamps * Consider third-party certification for valuable stamps Overgrading damages your credibility and can affect insurance claims Protect your collection: * Use acid-free mounts and albums * Control temperature and humidity * Avoid direct sunlight * Handle with stamp tongs (never fingers) * Use glassine envelopes for storage * Store vertically to prevent damage **Optimal conditions:** * Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C) * Humidity: 45-55% RH Create high-quality scans: * Scan at 300-600 DPI minimum * Include both front and back * Show perforations clearly * Capture any varieties or flaws * Use consistent lighting Good images are essential for insurance, sales, and authentication For valuable stamps, consider: * **PSE (Philatelic Stamp Expertise)** - Grading and authentication * **PF (Philatelic Foundation)** - Expert opinions * **APS (American Philatelic Society)** - Expert service * **BPA (British Philatelic Association)** - UK expert committee **When to certify:** * Valuable stamps (\$500+) * Errors and varieties * Controversial items * Items for sale Document ownership history: * Auction records * Dealer purchases * Previous owners if known * Exhibition history * Published references **Why:** Provenance can add value, especially for famous rarities Use Storehouses collections to organize: * **By country**: "United States", "Great Britain" * **By era**: "Classic US (1847-1893)", "Modern Commemoratives" * **By topic**: "Space Exploration", "Wildlife" * **By format**: "Plate Blocks", "First Day Covers" * **By value**: "Key Pieces", "Investment Grade" ## Valuation Resources Standard US and worldwide reference * Annual price updates * Identification guide * Variety listings British Commonwealth standard * Commonwealth specialist * Detailed listings * Price guides Track actual sales: * Siegel Auction Galleries * Robert A. Siegel * Daniel F. Kelleher * Spink * David Feldman * Stamp World History * Colnect * Delcampe * HipStamp ## Common Questions **Identification steps:** 1. Determine the country (look for inscriptions) 2. Find the denomination 3. Note the design/subject 4. Check the perforations 5. Look up in Scott or appropriate catalog **Helpful resources:** * Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue * Online identification forums * Dealer expertise * Collector clubs **It depends:** * **Modern stamps (post-1930):** MNH almost always more valuable * **Classic stamps (pre-1900):** Used examples may be more affordable, some useds are scarcer * **Rare stamps:** Either condition can be valuable * **Errors:** Mint typically preferred, but used examples of rare errors still valuable Collect what you enjoy - both mint and used have their appeal **Warning signs:** * Price too good to be true * Poor quality paper or printing * Incorrect perforations * Suspicious gum * Missing or incorrect watermark * No provenance for rarities **Protection:** * Buy from reputable dealers * Get certificates for expensive stamps * Study genuine examples * Join collector organizations * Consult experts when in doubt **Generally, no:** * Amateur cleaning can damage stamps * Removing cancels destroys value * Improper soaking damages gum * Leave restoration to professionals **Safe practices:** * Light dusting with soft brush only * Professional conservation for valuable items **Valuation methods:** 1. **Catalog value:** Reference point, not market price 2. **Auction results:** Actual realized prices 3. **Dealer prices:** Retail and wholesale 4. **Online sales:** eBay, HipStamp, Delcampe **Important notes:** * Catalog value ≠ market value * Condition dramatically affects price * Common stamps sell below catalog * Key stamps may exceed catalog ## Next Steps Start cataloging your collection Browse your stamps Create stamp collections Generate stamp reports