April 10, 2011

MiniMAX™ UV Lamps Get Stamp of Approval

Stamp collectors everywhere have a reliable new tool to determine the authenticity of stamps. Thousands of forgeries have been produced over the years, many of them very good, and only through careful analysis, can one determine the real from the fake.

Some stamps are printed with ink that fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light. UV light sources are also ideal for examining stamps for signs of repairs or various types of faults.

The Spectroline® MiniMAX™ Series of ultraviolet lamps are excellent tools for detecting stamp forgeries. Versions include the UV-5A (which emits long-wave UV), the UV-5F (which emits short-wave UV) and the UV-5NF (which emits both long-wave and short-wave UV).

Measuring only 9 x 2¼ x 1¼ " (22.9 x 5.7 x 3.2 cm) and weighing just 11 oz (312g), MiniMAX™ lamps are very lightweight and compact, and can be carried easily for on-site or field inspections. Powered by four 1.5-volt AA alkaline batteries (not included), each lamp comes with an AC adapter, nylon carrying strap and convenient travel pouch.