Stamp album facts for kids
A stamp album is like a special book where people keep their collection of postage stamps. It helps them store and show off their stamps safely. Some albums have pages that are loose, so you can add or remove them easily. Others are more like binders.
Many stamp collectors buy albums that already have pictures printed on the pages. These pictures are usually black-and-white outlines of stamps. They show you exactly where each stamp should go. Most album pages are printed on only one side.
To attach stamps to the pages, collectors often use small, thin pieces of paper called stamp hinges. These hinges help keep the stamps in place without damaging them.
Contents
What is a Stamp Album?
A stamp album is a special book designed to hold and display postage stamps. It protects stamps from damage and helps collectors organize their collections. Think of it as a photo album, but for stamps!
Types of Stamp Albums
There are different kinds of stamp albums you can use:
- Loose-leaf albums: These albums have pages that can be added, removed, or rearranged. This is great if your collection grows or if you want to organize stamps in a new way.
- Bound albums: These are like regular books with pages permanently attached. They are often used for smaller collections or specific themes.
- Binders: Some albums come in the form of binders, which are also flexible for adding or moving pages.
Preprinted Album Pages
Many collectors choose to buy preprinted album pages. These pages come with black-and-white outlines of stamps already printed on them. Each outline shows where a specific stamp should be placed. This makes it easy to know which stamp goes where. These pages often include information about the stamps or the country they came from.
How Stamps are Attached
To put stamps into an album, collectors use special tools:
- Stamp hinges: These are small, folded pieces of paper with a bit of glue. One side sticks to the stamp, and the other sticks to the album page. They are designed to be easy to remove without harming the stamp.
- Mounts: Some collectors use clear plastic mounts. These are like little pockets that hold the stamp. The mount then sticks to the page, protecting the stamp completely.
History of Stamp Albums
Collecting stamps became popular in the mid-1800s. People needed a way to keep their stamps organized.
- First albums: The very first stamp album was created in 1862 by a Frenchman named Lallier. It was a simple book designed to hold the new and exciting postage stamps.
- Early American albums: Soon after, in 1863, the first American stamp album was published by Appleton. These early albums helped make stamp collecting a popular hobby around the world.
Images for kids
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A custom stamp album page for a collection of Prague postmarks.
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A preprinted page from a 1930s stamp album. It has spaces for stamps and information about the country.
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A simple handwritten album page with Nepalese Pashupati stamps.
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The First Edition Lallier Postage Stamp Album from 1862. This was the world's first stamp album.
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The First American Postage Stamp Album, published by Appleton in 1863.
See also
In Spanish: Álbum filat%C3%A9lico para ni%C3%B1os
