Stamp collecting is more enjoyable when you can build your skills one small, manageable step at a time. Many collectors—new and experienced—tell us the same thing: they want to learn more, but they don’t want long lectures, complicated instructions, or information overload. The Stamp Skills Series was created to address those concerns. Much of the material in this series is kept at an elementary level so collectors of all experience levels can follow along comfortably.
This series breaks each topic into four short, practical steps, with a step released every 2–3 weeks. Each step focuses on one specific skill you can try immediately, using the stamps and tools you already have.
After Step 4, the topic is considered complete. At that point:
The full four‑step topic is moved into the New Topics and eventually moved to the Explore Past Topics on the website.
The next topic in the series begins with Step 1.
This series is being introduced as a "Pilot Program" in our Educational Topics . We encourage you to provide feedback to help guide future improvements.
Please use the feedback form at the bottom of this page and let us know your thoughts.
(Skill: Controlling Light, Temperature & Humidity)
This step teaches you how to protect stamps from environmental damage — the silent destroyers of collections.
What you do:
Maintain stable temperature — avoid heat sources, vents, and cold drafts.
Control humidity — use silica gel, avoid basements/attics, monitor with a gauge.
Protect from light — store albums closed and away from windows.
Use proper shelving — avoid floors, metal shelves that conduct heat, or damp areas.
Check storage locations seasonally — conditions change throughout the year.
Why it matters:
Humidity, heat, and light cause fading, curling, sticking, gum cracking, and mold development.
Wavy album pages — early sign of humidity
Faded colors — even slight fading means too much light
Sticky mounts — moisture exposure
Musty smell — mold risk
Sun‑exposed shelves — even indirect light fades stamps
A collector stored several albums in a cardboard box on a basement floor. After a humid summer, the pages developed a faint wave, and some stamps stuck lightly to the mounts.
Lesson: Basements and attics are the two worst places for stamps.
A beautiful mint block of four sat on a desk near a window for years. The side facing the sun faded to a pale version of the original color, while the reverse side remained vibrant. Lesson: Sunlight doesn’t need to hit a stamp directly — ambient light can fade ink over time.
“Stamps need a stable, dry, protected spot — anything less puts them at risk.”
APS (American Philatelic Society), “Stamp Collecting 101: Handling Stamps”
Smithsonian National Postal Museum, “Caring for Your Stamps and Covers”
APS Beginner Series, “How to Store Your Stamps”
Smithsonian National Postal Museum, “Preservation Guidelines for Paper Artifacts”
Fundamentals of Philately, L.N. & M. Williams (general principles of archival storage)
Thank you for visiting Stamp Skills. The next step or skill will be presented in 2 - 3 weeks.