How to Store a Stamp Collection in Self Storage

Last Updated on June 17, 2024

Ah, stamp collecting… this hobby has millions of philatelists licking their chops all over the globe, eager to snag that next special stamp.

What’s truly special is that a simple slip-up in a stamp’s print might just land you a treasure. And while misprints in the stamp world can skyrocket a stamp’s value faster than you can say “special delivery,” you definitely don’t want any mishaps once you acquire such a rare find.

This makes proper stamp storage a necessity, which is why we are going to walk you through the best practices for storing stamps, be it in stamp albums, stamp binders and pages or stamp storage boxes carefully stashed under lock and key.

Preparing Your Stamp Collection for Storage

 

First things first: keep your mitts off the mint! The natural oils on your skin are like kryptonite to stamps, even if you’ve just scrubbed your hands. Grab a pair of stamp tongs to avoid leaving a lasting impression (and not the good kind). Choose ones with a spade tip for its gentle grip or switch to ones with a pointed tip for surgical precision.

Apart from your trusty tongs, you’ll need:

• a soft cloth to wipe away any dust without smudging or scratching your stamps;
• a 10x magnifying glass to admire the fine details of your mini masterpieces;
• a perforation gauge;
• a watermark detector fluid, like Clarity;
• a stamp album and hinges to arrange your stamps neatly; and
• a color guide to tell the difference between similar stamps.

Armed with all these, the next step is to organize your stamps. It can be by theme, country or era — whatever makes sense to you. And if you need to wash off stamps before putting them in albums, follow this guide from the American Philatelic Society.

Choosing the Right Storage Environment

Stamps are divas that demand perfect climate control — too hot, too cold or too humid, and your stamps might just throw a fit. Extreme temperatures and humidity levels can cause stamps to curl, stick or even crack as if suffering from a mini existential crisis.

What you need is to keep your collection in a cool and stable environment — ideally under 64°F and at a relative humidity of about 50%. While it’s not impossible to achieve that at home, it might be easier to opt for a climate-controlled storage unit for your stamp collection.

Here’s how the two options compare up close:

Storage Option	Pros	Cons
Home Storage	Immediate access to your collection. Potentially lower cost compared to professional facilities.	Risk of environmental fluctuations due to less controlled conditions. Requires personal maintenance and monitoring.
Professional Storage Facilities	Optimal, stable environmental conditions maintained professionally. Enhanced security features, such as surveillance and controlled access.	Less frequent access to your collection. Higher cost than home storage options.

Storage Solutions for Stamps

 

Stamp collections are as unique as the collectors themselves. As you consider how to store stamps without damaging them ever so slightly, here’s a straightforward guide to the various storage and mounting options out there:

Storage Type	Description	Pros	Cons
Stamp Albums	Dedicated spaces for each stamp, often with explanatory text; designed for specific themes or countries.	Organized display Preserves condition Educational and thematic display	Can cause damage if overfilled Direct attachment can reduce the collectible value
Stockbooks	Blank books with horizontal rows from thin strips of film.	Fast arrangement Good for saving duplicates	More expensive than stamp mounts or hinges
Stamp Binders and Pages	Similar to albums but with removable pages.	Customizable Easy to expand and reorganize Good for growing collections	Pages may require careful handling to avoid damage
Stamp Mounts	Plastic pockets that protect the entire stamp without adhesive contact.	Best for preserving mint condition stamps Protects original gum and features Preferred for valuable stamps	More expensive Time-consuming to cut to size
Stamp Hinges	Folded glassine paper with adhesive, used to attach stamps to pages.	Inexpensive Traditional method Easy to reposition	Risk of damage if not fully dry Not suitable for mint condition stamps
Stamp Storage Boxes	Boxes designed to hold stamps in glassine envelopes.	Ideal for large quantities Protects from external pressures Can be easily stacked	Not display-friendly Cardboard may attract pests
Hingeless Albums	Albums with pre-fitted pockets for each stamp.	Full protection with easy viewing No need for additional mounting materials	Can be costly Less flexibility in arrangement
Cover Albums	Designed to store and display postal covers.	Protects entire envelopes Highlights postmarks and historical usage	Bulkier than stamp-specific solutions Not suitable for loose stamps

Best Practices for Storing Stamps

Now that you know all about stamp storage solutions and can make an informed decision, let’s see how to store stamps to avoid common damage issues such as sticking, fading and bending.

• Always use acid-free paper in your stamp albums to prevent the acid in regular paper from damaging the stamps over time.
• To help prevent stamps from sticking, use interleaf tissues (not household wax paper) between pages of mint sheets.
• Place silica gel packets near your albums to absorb excess moisture and protect against humidity.
• To avoid chemical reactions that could damage stamps, only use containers and albums made from chemically neutral (archival-quality) materials.
• Keep stamp collections high up in closets or on shelving units to avoid flood damage and reduce the risk of pests.
• Never store stamps at the bottom of a box or anywhere that might accumulate moisture, which can lead to mold.
• Consider renting a temperature-controlled storage unit for rare stamps.
• Albums should be stored vertically to distribute weight evenly and prevent the stamps from sticking together.
• Buy water-tight and/or fire-proof containers as an extra precaution.

Remember to keep an inventory list of your precious stamps and insure valuable collections.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Stamps

Steer clear of these common stamp storage blunders if you want your collection to retain its beauty and value for generations to come.

Common mistake	Why it’s a bad idea	Solution
Storing stamps in basements or other humid areas.	Promotes mold growth and can cause mint stamps to stick to their storage medium.	Climate-controlled storage
Storing stamps in attics or other areas with fluctuating temperatures.	Can dramatically affect the preservation of stamps, leading to gum hardening or stamps becoming brittle.	Climate-controlled storage
Cramming stamps into albums or stockbooks.	Increases the risk of damaging them, bending corners or stressing the binding.	Ensure ample space
Handling stamps with bare fingers.	Transfers oils to the stamps, leading to discoloration.	Use stamp tongs
Exposing stamps to sunlight or strong artificial light.	This can cause photochemical changes in stamps, fading their colors.	Dark storage
Incorrectly using hinges and mounts.	Can permanently damage stamps, either through excessive moisture in hinges or incorrectly sized mounts that buckle the stamps.	Follow mounting instructions
Storing albums horizontally and stacking them.	This can cause the stamps to stick to album pages.	Store albums vertically
Inserting newspaper clippings or other acidic materials into stamp albums.	Can cause the stamps to become discolored and brittle over time.	Use only archival-quality materials
Storing stamps in a box directly on the floor	Items stored on the floor are at risk of flooding, as well as molding from excess moisture trapped in cement.	Place stamp containers on shelves or pallets

Pro tip: Keep your stamp collection away from children and pets to prevent accidental damage from curious hands and paws.

Extra Tips for Preserving Stamp Quality

As a stamp collection becomes more valuable or as individual pieces become harder to replace, extra caution is needed. Here’s what else to consider — aside from the best practices for storing stamps and the common mistakes to avoid when storing stamps, both of which we’ve already covered:

• Rotate your displayed stamps now and then to keep them from getting too much light, which can fade their colors over time. Also, invest in display cases that block UV light.
• Install an air purifier with a HEPA filter in the room where you store your stamps. It’ll reduce dust and other particles that might sneak into your collection. Storage units with electricity should do the trick if you need this added layer of protection.
• Regularly give your stamps a once-over to catch any early signs of wear or unwanted guests.
• If your collection has some real gems, it might be worth chatting with a conservation pro about a personalized care plan.

If you inherited a stamp collection and have no idea how to handle it, check out this useful video from stamp collector Graham Beck.

Now You Know How To Store a Stamp Collection Like a Pro

With these tips for preserving stamp quality under your belt, you can rest assured that your stamp collection will not only survive but thrive, letting you flip through it years from now with the same joy as today.

Keep collecting, keep caring and let every stamp add a chapter to your unique tale!