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Why Do GB Machin Stamp Collectors Use Ultra-Violet Lamps?
Most British stamps can be readily identified by their values, design, colour, perforations, watermarks and other visible or measurable characteristics. But for collectors of modern British stamps, especially the Machin series of definitive issues, the fluorescence of inks, the phosphor bands and coatings may need to be seen to properly identify stamps or confirm errors and varieties.
A short-wave UV lamp will clearly reveal most of the different phosphor bands found on Machin (and other) stamps. It becomes easy to spot "short bands" and reveal paper differences including the all over phosphor coated papers. It also enables you to check stamps that appear to have missing phosphor bands to the naked eye and avoid expensive mistakes when the presence of phosphor is only confirmed under UV light.
Long-wave UV light helps reveal the often subtle differences between yellow and blue fluors and can also check for less frequent afterglow characteristics. While all phosphor types have an afterglow under short-wave UV, only a few possess the same properties under long-wave UV. Long-wave UV will also reveal the fluorescent characteristics of some printer inks.
It's not just collectors of modern GB stamps that can benefit from viewing stamps under UV light. Repairs and paper thins can seriously affect the value of all stamps from the Queen Victoria era onward and viewing under UV light can often reveal paper faults or repairs that are virtually invisible to the naked eye. In addition to fault checking, some stamps from the reigns of King Edward VII and Geroge V have fluorescent characteristics which can help distinguish between printers and confirm stamp shades etc.
When choosing a UV lamp many will either be short-wave or long-wave only but some can convert between the two (often by changing bulbs). UV lamps come in various designs but most will be relatively small and battery powered for easy hand-held use.
If you have a decent stamp dealer's shop nearby then it may be worth a visit to see various lamps demonstrated and seek advice about the best lamp for you and the stamps you study. Alternatively you can check out the online auctions for philatelic UV lamps where there are sometimes good value second-hand lamps available in addition to new ones.
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