Keeping Track of Your Stamp Collection

Keeping a stamp inventory is a logical step once your collection grows beyond just a few stamps. After all, if you don't keep track of what you already have, you won't know what you still need, and you'll also run the risk of buying unneeded duplicates. And even more important than those important considerations, if you keep an up-to-date inventory of your stamp collection you'll have a proper record of your holdings for insurance purposes.

Some people prefer the old-fashioned way of recording their stamp purchases and sales: they use pencil and paper. This method has a couple of advantages - namely, it's free and it's extremely flexible - but it can also be time-consuming, as every entry must be manually made. Another downside is the amount of paper that can be required: if your stamp collection is extensive, the inventory may occupy several notebooks.

Using one of the many philatelic computer programs that are available is a more modern method than the old pen and paper method. This type of software consists of specialized programs that inventory and track the contents of stamp collections. Although most if not all must be purchased, they have several advantages. New items can easily be added, sold items can easily be removed, and a list of stamps can be sorted, generated and then printed out in several ways. You can even add scans of actual items in your collection.

An alternative to a dedicated stamp inventory program is Excel, a computer-based spreadsheet program that many are familiar with and already own. Pictures aren't possible, but many of the other advantages of dedicated philatelic programs are still there, including ease of entry, removal and inventory sorting options. As with the dedicated software, a list of your holdings can easily be generated and then printed out.