How can I start my stamp collection?

 

The simplest way to start is to find a store, market stall or online dealer and make a purchase. 

To protect the philatelic materials it is advisable to purchase some form of book which you can use to sort your material out and keep it safe: A stamp album.

A stamp album will keep your collection neat and organised, and in one place, free from dust and possible damage. Store your album upright, away from direct sunlight. Humidity can ruin stamps if they are kept in a metal or plastic container. If you have any loose stamps or stationery, store them in an archival-quality box instead.

Within your album, you’ll need plastic protectors with individual pockets to put your stamps in, also known as stock sheets. You can also get cover protectors to fit your first-day covers.

When dealing with stamps in particular it is best not to handle the stamps but to use stamp tweezers/tongs (tweezers with wide pinchers). This avoids any sweat or dirt being transferred onto the stamp especially if it is in an unused condition or extremely old. 

Some collectors who have accumulated a large amount of material tend to use specialised books/albums to store the material. 

It is best to store any philatelic material away from insects, water and any humid conditions, i.e. keep in a cool dry place. It is also worthwhile doing some background research (books from the local library, YouTube, joining a stamp club, etc) on whatever you collect, whether that be stamps and other philatelic material.

Here and here are some additional philatelic resources. 

 

So, how do I keep my stamp collection in mint condition?

Keep them high up: Store your stamp collection in a high place rather than in a box on the floor. 

Store your stamps in a dark, dry space: The moisture already present in the air could damage your collection. When choosing which room to store your collection in, you should ensure that it’s a dry room which doesn’t get much condensation throughout the year. Over time, the moisture in the air would degrade the quality of your stamps, leading to discolouration and potentially mould. As well as the room being dry, you should also ensure that your chosen storage space is dark, or that your stamps are not out in the open and protected from natural sunlight. UV rays in the sun will break down the ink in your stamps dramatically decreasing their quality.

Get some stamp tweezers: No matter how delicately you handle your stamps, the natural oils in your hand will slightly degrade the quality every time. That's why you should always use stamp tweezers. 

Use acid-free paper: When putting your album together, it is vital that you use acid-free paper. Traditional paper which has not had its lignin removed degrades over time, leading to it turning yellow and becoming extremely brittle, which is obviously no good for your collection. The acids in traditional paper will also affect any stamps mounted on the paper, degrading them in a similar way to the paper itself.

Don’t use stamp hinges: Use plastic stamp mounts instead. Stamp hinges are simply a small piece of gummed transparent paper used to affix your stamps to your album, and are typically the go-to method of keeping stamps firmly affixed to your album. They’re easy to use, nice and cheap, and keep your stamps intact, which naturally makes them a firm favourite with collectors everywhere. One problem with stamp hinges, however, is the fact that using them will slightly damage the reverse of your stamps, no matter how careful you are.

Plastic stamp mounts are small pieces of plastic with an adhesive back. The mount is affixed to your album with your stamp sliding into the mount like a picture into a picture frame, meaning damage to the gum of your stamps is a thing of the past. 

Besides these comments, you can also find information in youtube: