A stamp album can provide valuable protection for your prized collection. However, you should obey the following standard procedures to ensure the safety of your artifacts. Most, if not all, stamp albums in common use are what's known as ''loose leaf.'' In other words, stamp collectors can add on pages at any time to expand their albums.

Most stamp album pages are single sided. You can try to ''double side'' your stamps, but then you run the risk of accidentally smooshing the stamps on either side of paper divider into one another. Particularly when it comes to valuable relics, you want to give plenty of space and cushioning to prevent crinkling, gum cracking, or sticking.

Modern philatelists enjoy computerized stamp albums, although some old school collectors still prefer the pen and ink description method. Specialty albums include ''one country'' albums, albums designed for ''bulk posts,'' and even ''padded albums,'' which give extra protection to exceedingly rare stamps.

In the early days of stamp collecting, some collectors glued their pieces into their albums. However, this proved very inconvenient for traders, since these pieces couldn't be removed without severe damage. Plastic stamp albums allowed collectors to keep stamps in place without ruining trading values.

Many mint stamp collectors refuse to purchase so-called ''unused'' stamps and demand ''post office fresh'' stamps for their album. Don't over-pack your albums, as ''stuffing'' can lead to sticking and warping, which can degrade your sets.