Build a research description from visible evidence before searching catalogs or listings.
Minimum photo set
- Full front at high resolution with all perforations or margins visible.
- Full back showing gum, hinges, thins, repairs, pencil marks, and expert marks.
- Close-ups of overprints, plate flaws, cancels, watermark evidence, or faults.
- For covers: front, back, postmarks, rates, markings, contents, and certificate.
Do not alter the evidence
Do not soak, erase, clean, regum, trim, reperforate, detach from a cover, remove hinges, or apply watermark fluid until the object and risks are understood.