Whether you are an experienced or amateur philatelist, there are always new tools to discover to help you with your collecting adventures. These tools range from the highly useful to the fairly useless. One such tool is a UV lamp, with many stamp collectors wondering if it\u2019s a necessary tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A UV lamp is not a necessary tool for stamp collecting, but it can definitely enhance your hobby. From finding hidden details in stamps to identifying potential faults, a UV lamp can offer valuable assistance in properly examining your collection.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, we discuss the uses and advantages of UV lamps for stamp collectors in more detail, so that you can decide whether it is truly a necessary tool to add to your repertoire. But first, what is an ultraviolet lamp?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply put, ultraviolet, or \u201cUV,\u201d is a type of electromagnetic radiation<\/strong>. The wavelength of ultraviolet radiation is shorter than that of light visible to the human eye, but longer than the high-energy radiation of x-rays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultraviolet radiation is present in the sun\u2019s rays, yet we also use it in specialist lighting. The purposes of such lighting vary widely, but the everyday uses you will likely be most familiar with include use in tanning salons, fluorescent black lighting, halogen lights<\/strong> and, as we will discuss in this article, for conducting a comprehensive study of stamps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to note that ultraviolet radiation can damage living cells and tissues<\/strong>, especially during exposure to large quantities at once. For instance, it is the ultraviolet radiation which poses the risk of sunburns, and why it is important to never look directly into an ultraviolet lamp<\/strong> due to the risk of damage to your eyesight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to using UV lamps for hobbyist purposes, it\u2019s important to know that there are two main types of ultraviolet radiation \u2013 longwave and shortwave<\/strong>. Shortwave UV has a wavelength of around 254 nanometers, whereas longwave UV has a wavelength closer to 360 nanometers. Both can be used for identifying different things, and which you use is dependent on your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For stamp collectors, ultraviolet lamps can be used for a variety of different reasons<\/strong>, depending on your needs as a collector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, UV lamps can aid in the detection of faults on the stamp<\/strong>, such as evidence of tampering or damage, which could reduce the stamp\u2019s value. On the other side of the scale, however, ultraviolet lamps can also be used to detect hidden details on stamps<\/strong>, which could only be seen and appreciated with the use of these specialist tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It isn\u2019t just stamps that hobbyists use ultraviolet lamps for, with collectors of items including currency and rocks also using UV to get more out of their hobby. However, for whatever reason you are considering the purchase of a UV lamp, you need to know the facts before deciding to make that investment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you know that there are two different types of UV light<\/strong>, let\u2019s take a closer look at how each can be used when it comes to stamp collecting and classifying. As both wave forms have different uses, it is important to know specifically what you are hoping to achieve with the use of a light, in order to make sure you<\/strong> choose the right lamp for your needs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To start, let\u2019s look at how shortwave UV lamps can be used for philatelic pursuits. Shortwave ultraviolet lamps are used to detect<\/strong> phosphorescence<\/strong>. Phosphor has been used on stamps all across the world for over fifty years, for various reasons including tagging and mechanical sorting of postal mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Postal sorting machines are able to detect the phosphor on stamps attached to outgoing mail<\/strong>, which speeds up the sorting process considerably. By finding these marks, the machines are able to rotate the envelope into position, making sure the postmark and cancellation is correctly applied to the top right hand corner, with the address clearly visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, using a shortwave ultraviolet lamp on stamps will allow collectors to see these phosphor marks, which will appear as an afterglow on the surface of the stamp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortwave UV lamps are also useful for detecting<\/strong> faults, imperfections, or attempted repairs<\/strong> on stamps, such as erased ink. These, of course, may significantly impact the value of a stamp, so a shortwave ultraviolet lamp is a great tool for collectors who want to be certain of the condition of their inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is An Ultraviolet Lamp?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why Use A UV Lamp For Stamp Collecting?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Long Wave vs Short Wave<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Shortwave Ultraviolet Lamps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Longwave Ultraviolet Lamps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n