Are you frustrated trying to read inkstamps? Well I have a tip that may be of help. I'm an astronomer and in astronomy we use various coloured filters to enhance detail on planets. I've discovered that red will greatly enhance inkstamps, often making impossible ones easy to see!
I use an astronomical filter, a Celestron #21 red filter, 1.25-inch diameter, which is intended to be screwed into the base of a telescope eyepiece and can be purchased from any astronomy supply shop. But I would think that any type of red gel would probably produce the same effect, though I have not tried it.
This is how to use the filter: put it on a strong magnifying glass, one with a good lip so the filter won't fall off, so you can look thru both at the same time. This also gives you a free hand. Go out into bright sunlight, which works better than electric light. If you look thru the glass itself and then thru it with the filter you will be surprised at the improvement. Inkstamps jump out at you in superb detail. I've been able to read stamps that were unreadable otherwise.
It can help with impressed stamps that are ink filled, but isn't so effective on the normal impressed ones. I used the filter on a helmet that seemed to have no stamps at all and discovered the regiment, issue date, company and battalion! Try it and see how you get on.
I think these filters sell for around $50.00 in the USA. Well worth it in my opinion.
I use an astronomical filter, a Celestron #21 red filter, 1.25-inch diameter, which is intended to be screwed into the base of a telescope eyepiece and can be purchased from any astronomy supply shop. But I would think that any type of red gel would probably produce the same effect, though I have not tried it.
This is how to use the filter: put it on a strong magnifying glass, one with a good lip so the filter won't fall off, so you can look thru both at the same time. This also gives you a free hand. Go out into bright sunlight, which works better than electric light. If you look thru the glass itself and then thru it with the filter you will be surprised at the improvement. Inkstamps jump out at you in superb detail. I've been able to read stamps that were unreadable otherwise.
It can help with impressed stamps that are ink filled, but isn't so effective on the normal impressed ones. I used the filter on a helmet that seemed to have no stamps at all and discovered the regiment, issue date, company and battalion! Try it and see how you get on.
I think these filters sell for around $50.00 in the USA. Well worth it in my opinion.
