Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
My name is George and I'm a beginning stamp collector.
I recently bought about 360 used Bulgarian stamps from the Communist-era for my collection.
The problem is that they came in a mixture package that consists of sets not in chronological order. How do I display the stamps in order of issue without having to make major replacements as the collection expands?
I thought of marking space in the stockbook for each set(like it's done in an album), but for that to happen I must buy another stockbook, because one won't have enough room for all the stamps of the period - /1946-1990/
Do you have any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
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Were you planning on Bulgaria being your main collection? Do you expect this collection to grow? Then why not buy an album? There are options, including printing your own pages.
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Hi George,
I strongly agree with the suggestion to buy a generic binder (find a lay-flat D-ring style) and purchase Vario pages as you need them.
It is so much easier to move things around in them as your collection expands.
If you decide later to "specialize" in Bulgaria, then buy a good album for Bulgaria, as Benfranklin1902 mentioned.
This may be the best way for you to proceed.
But - as we always say - YOU decide what works best for you; after all, it's YOUR stamp collection!
Have Fun With It!
Randy
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Just place the stamps in every other row. It looks nice/spacey, and this way you can easily double up the number of stamps later on without any need to move. This has worked very well for my collection (of 100K stamps housed in 150+ stockbooks).
Alternatively, you might reserve separate rows / pages for different years. Again, have done it myself and it works fairly well.
IF you get a lot more new stamps (say 1,000+ and beyond), you're going to need a re-arrange and re-house everything in every scenario (in the end, there's a limit how many stamps you can fit into a single stockbook).
And as your collection matures and gets varieties, you will anyway need & want to re-house/organize stuff. That's simply the nature of the beast, so don't be afraid of it.
-k-
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Thank you, everyone, for your advice, it's much appreciated.
I'd love to have a stamp album, because I think the collection will look much better this way, but I haven't encountered any printed for Bulgaria, and believe me, I have searched a lot.
I have heard of the Steiner Pages, but $30 will be too much for me to pay just for the them, plus, I only need the ones for Bulgaria. I have also tried making my own pages, but I'd like to have acquired them before buying any stamps, as measuring each addition and then making the page takes the fun away for me. That is, of course, quite impossible since the sizes of commemorative stamps during the period I specialize in, vary greatly.
Do you know where I can buy/download pages for Bulgaria?(Just the '46 to '90 period)
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03:57:25pm
So, George, since you are just firing up the collecting juices, why not buy a ream od 65# paper, punch some holes and begin to mount your sets in whtever order seems logical to you. If you insist write "Bulgaria" or even "БългариÑ" at the top opf each page.
Add any information you feel is needed and enjoy collecting.
As you gain experience and you begin to see what you enjoy most you can redo the pages or remount the stamps.
My thinking is to minimize the initial expenses because what interests you now may seem old hat in a year or two.
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If $30 for the Steiner pages is too much for you, then you won't be able to afford the commercially printed pages. They will run in the hundred's of dollars, especially since Bulgaria has issued thousands of stamps.
For example, album pages for Bulgaria (1879-1996) will run about $1,500. You will still need to buy the binders.
Steiner obviously is cheapest. You just need to supply the paper, ink and regular three-ring binders.
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Thanks you for your advice!
I found myself the needed stamp pages for Bulgaria, now I need to print them. Do you think this paper will be up for the job.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Color-Copy-A4-Paper-200gsm/dp/B000SHOOK2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
It says in the description that the product had been certified with ISO9706. It won't hurt the stamps long-term, right? I'm asking, because I collect used stamps and will hinge them onto the album.
Another problem I have is my printer. It's inkjet and the manufacturer says it works with paper weighing up to 105gsm. Can I use this heavier paper without risking to break my printer?
-----------
Off-topic:
It's awesome in this community! Here, in Bulgaria, stamp collecting is almost dead. :/ I'm a young collector and I don't know anyone my age who is in stamps too. It's very pleasant for me that I can discuss the hobby with all of you and learn new things. I really like it in here, and I hope we'll become good friends!
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08:04:43am
@georgi2201
Paper can be pretty complicated. When dealing with weights, first, you have to determine whether you are looking at "Card stock" or "Bond / Text" stock. Most users here recommend a maximum weight of 65lb cardstock. That's pretty stiff paper and in European terms, that translates to:
LBS: 65
Text: 96 gm/m2
Cover: 176 gm/m2
Next, the Amazon listing is actually a little confusing. The picture shows a packet with a clear "90 gm/m2", but the listing is for 200gm/m2. Might want to check that out to be sure.
Printer: It sounds like your printer is the type that bends or turns the paper through the paper path, because that is not a very heavy paper that it allows. Not good for heavyweight papers. You need to have a straight-through paper path for this weight of paper. Does your printer have a manual feed slot that is straight through? Might have a different weight capacity for that method.
Heavy paper might not break you printer, but it could result in constant paper jams (particularly on a paper path that bends), or ink smears/spills.
I would check the printer first, then stay within the limits its specs show.
Roy
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If your printer is an older one, you have to consider that you'll be printing many pages. If the printer is on its "last legs", you may want to consider getting a new one.
Make sure that whatever paper you select that it is acid-free.
Scott International album pages are printed on 24 lb paper. That is 90 gsm. That is what I use when I print pages. I print on both sides of the sheets.
I tried thicker paper (67 lb / 146.9 gsm), but the lack of flexibility did not work well in my album binders. If you use regular three-ring binders, thicker paper should work good, if you wanted to use that. My son uses 67 lb paper without any problem. I think if you go much thicker than that, you'll really start to encounter the problems that Roy was referring to. Also, some members here have stated in the past that thicker paper tends to wear out the printers quicker.
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As Roy mentioned, stiff paper can be a problem with printers that bend the paper with printing - aside from jams, smearing can be an issue.
Also the paper in the ad is laser paper which can work in an inkjet but the inkjet ink may not be absorbed into the paper resulting in poor drying or smearing.
Generally, the other way around, one should never use inkjet paper in a laser as laser paper is coated to use with the heat generated by the powder ink fuser.
There is also a difference in the title and picture of the paper in the ad.
You don't necessarily need thicker paper as Michael mentioned but the right kind.
Personally, I like to get paper from a well known manufacturer - what is "Color Copy"
If you have a printing house locally, perhaps they can give you some samples to try.
Edited: - as noted thick paper may wear out the printer faster particularly if the printer does not have a software adjustment that allows the print heads to adjust for the thickness.
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At first, I didn't really like the idea of thinner paper - 24 lb/90gsm - but now that you say it..
I found packets of 500 sheets HP Copy paper, which is adverted as acid-free, but 80gsm. Will that difference of 10 grams have major consequences?
Do you know any brands of acid-free paper that are recognizable and more likely to be for sale in Bulgaria?
I'd love to hear your opinions on the pros and cons of both thick and thinner paper.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. I appreciate it very much.
EDIT: I'm going to use the Fabriano brand paper. It's acid-free with alkaline reserve to ensure durability. Now I only need to decide, with help from you, I hope, what weight to buy.
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Hi Bulgaria;
I've always liked Bulgarian stamps and have the Scott's Specialty album for Eastern Europe. I
particularly enjoy the topicals from the 60s & 70s.
Getting back on topic...some places also sell 30lb. stock which might be a good compromise,
plus some 24 lb. paper may have a problem with 'show thru' where the images on one side can
be seen on the reverse. Michael doesn't have that problem apparently but a different brand of
paper may give very different results. It probably has to do more with the absorption of the
paper. If the absorption is greater, then the ink goes deeper into the paper, and could show
thru on the reverse side.
Just a thought....
TuskenRaider
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A few thoughts:
Heavy paper is thick paper, meaning that you'll get fewer pages into an given binder.
Heavy paper is more expensive than lighter-weight paper.
With a large collection mounted on heavy paper, which your Bulgaria collection will likely become, you'll need many binders and a lot of storage space. The expense will be quite high. You might well end up spending more on paper and binders than stamps.
As Roy said, heavy paper needs a straight-through printing path. I printed my first philatelic exhibit on heavy archival stock, probably 50lb. I was using a laser printer with a curved print path; the paper was so badly curled that it was almost impossible to mount in the exhibit frames. It also destroyed the printer's drum.
Finally, I would advise against double-sided printing for stamp albums, unless you use sheet protecters for each sheet. Otherwise, the mounted stamps and/or mounts will inevitably be damaged the the stamps/mounts on the opposite sheets. In addition, if you have to reprint a page because of errors or have to redesign it, you'll have to reprint the other side of it as well.
They say that Alzheimers can be prevented by keeping your brain active. Is there a better way of maintaining that activity than collecting stamps?!
Good luck to you,
Bob
P.S. When I joined the BC Philatelic Society in 2002, another new and very active member was a young Romanian-Canadian high-school student. Can't recall his name offhand, and he's no longer a member. Last I knew he was working for a mining company in Chile.
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I would not use the 80gsm weight paper. It is too thin. I know we're not talking much difference here, but the 80gsm is standard paper. I experimented with it just to see how I liked it versus the 90gsm and the thicker paper. I was not satisfied with the 80gsm paper.
I haven't had any problems with double-sided printing using the 90gsm paper. With 80gsm, double-sided printing won't look very good.
I print from commercially prepared page files (Steiner pages). However, if I were going to make my own pages, I agree with Bob that double-sided printing could be problematic, and I wouldn't do it either.
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I'm going to buy 120gsm Fabriano paper. I hope it turns out well. Will post some pictures when it's ready.
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Another comment: Most paper these days is acid-free, which doesn't mean "archival," but does mean that it's not going to turn yellow within a few years, or damage stamps that are mounted on it. If you don't want to take a chance, use stamp mounts, which keep the stamps separated from the paper.
Bob
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Mounts aren't convenient for me since they cost more than the stamps I buy.
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"Mounts aren't convenient for me since they cost more than the stamps I buy. "
You certainly are not alone in that regard.
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08:20:42am
" ... You certainly are not alone in that regard. ..."
That brought up a chuckle. I don't know how many times over the years I patiently stripped an album where the mounts had cost much more that the stamps they contained.
BTW some dealers will discount a offer based on how much work they will have to preform to get the stamps unmounted. Some collectors forget that hinges were devised, or at least became popular, because they afforded an easy way to check the back of the stamps.
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09:15:18am
Perfect example: I won't even consider buying a collection in "Crystal Mounts" (clear cellophane tubes with an adhesive strip on top). The stamps are invariably wrinkled due to the shrinkage of an already too-tight mount and the stamps frequently have "glazed gum" in the upper corners from the moisture of licking the adhesive migrating inside the corners.
Worst mounting product ever invented. (On par with the 19th century habit of using sheet selvage as hinges).
Roy
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10:01:01am
Crystal Mounts have a nasty habit of "over" reacting to humidity causing them to "glaze" the gum. Also, if items are stored flat, the pressure applied to the mounts will likewise cause "glazing." Trust me here - I learned from experience.
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Hello!
My name is George and I'm a beginning stamp collector.
I recently bought about 360 used Bulgarian stamps from the Communist-era for my collection.
The problem is that they came in a mixture package that consists of sets not in chronological order. How do I display the stamps in order of issue without having to make major replacements as the collection expands?
I thought of marking space in the stockbook for each set(like it's done in an album), but for that to happen I must buy another stockbook, because one won't have enough room for all the stamps of the period - /1946-1990/
Do you have any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Were you planning on Bulgaria being your main collection? Do you expect this collection to grow? Then why not buy an album? There are options, including printing your own pages.
Login to Like
this post
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Hi George,
I strongly agree with the suggestion to buy a generic binder (find a lay-flat D-ring style) and purchase Vario pages as you need them.
It is so much easier to move things around in them as your collection expands.
If you decide later to "specialize" in Bulgaria, then buy a good album for Bulgaria, as Benfranklin1902 mentioned.
This may be the best way for you to proceed.
But - as we always say - YOU decide what works best for you; after all, it's YOUR stamp collection!
Have Fun With It!
Randy
Login to Like
this post
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Just place the stamps in every other row. It looks nice/spacey, and this way you can easily double up the number of stamps later on without any need to move. This has worked very well for my collection (of 100K stamps housed in 150+ stockbooks).
Alternatively, you might reserve separate rows / pages for different years. Again, have done it myself and it works fairly well.
IF you get a lot more new stamps (say 1,000+ and beyond), you're going to need a re-arrange and re-house everything in every scenario (in the end, there's a limit how many stamps you can fit into a single stockbook).
And as your collection matures and gets varieties, you will anyway need & want to re-house/organize stuff. That's simply the nature of the beast, so don't be afraid of it.
-k-
Login to Like
this post
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Thank you, everyone, for your advice, it's much appreciated.
I'd love to have a stamp album, because I think the collection will look much better this way, but I haven't encountered any printed for Bulgaria, and believe me, I have searched a lot.
I have heard of the Steiner Pages, but $30 will be too much for me to pay just for the them, plus, I only need the ones for Bulgaria. I have also tried making my own pages, but I'd like to have acquired them before buying any stamps, as measuring each addition and then making the page takes the fun away for me. That is, of course, quite impossible since the sizes of commemorative stamps during the period I specialize in, vary greatly.
Do you know where I can buy/download pages for Bulgaria?(Just the '46 to '90 period)
Login to Like
this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
10 Aug 2015
03:57:25pm
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
So, George, since you are just firing up the collecting juices, why not buy a ream od 65# paper, punch some holes and begin to mount your sets in whtever order seems logical to you. If you insist write "Bulgaria" or even "БългариÑ" at the top opf each page.
Add any information you feel is needed and enjoy collecting.
As you gain experience and you begin to see what you enjoy most you can redo the pages or remount the stamps.
My thinking is to minimize the initial expenses because what interests you now may seem old hat in a year or two.
Login to Like
this post
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
If $30 for the Steiner pages is too much for you, then you won't be able to afford the commercially printed pages. They will run in the hundred's of dollars, especially since Bulgaria has issued thousands of stamps.
For example, album pages for Bulgaria (1879-1996) will run about $1,500. You will still need to buy the binders.
Steiner obviously is cheapest. You just need to supply the paper, ink and regular three-ring binders.
Login to Like
this post
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Thanks you for your advice!
I found myself the needed stamp pages for Bulgaria, now I need to print them. Do you think this paper will be up for the job.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Color-Copy-A4-Paper-200gsm/dp/B000SHOOK2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
It says in the description that the product had been certified with ISO9706. It won't hurt the stamps long-term, right? I'm asking, because I collect used stamps and will hinge them onto the album.
Another problem I have is my printer. It's inkjet and the manufacturer says it works with paper weighing up to 105gsm. Can I use this heavier paper without risking to break my printer?
-----------
Off-topic:
It's awesome in this community! Here, in Bulgaria, stamp collecting is almost dead. :/ I'm a young collector and I don't know anyone my age who is in stamps too. It's very pleasant for me that I can discuss the hobby with all of you and learn new things. I really like it in here, and I hope we'll become good friends!
Login to Like
this post
BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 300 categories
11 Aug 2015
08:04:43am
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
@georgi2201
Paper can be pretty complicated. When dealing with weights, first, you have to determine whether you are looking at "Card stock" or "Bond / Text" stock. Most users here recommend a maximum weight of 65lb cardstock. That's pretty stiff paper and in European terms, that translates to:
LBS: 65
Text: 96 gm/m2
Cover: 176 gm/m2
Next, the Amazon listing is actually a little confusing. The picture shows a packet with a clear "90 gm/m2", but the listing is for 200gm/m2. Might want to check that out to be sure.
Printer: It sounds like your printer is the type that bends or turns the paper through the paper path, because that is not a very heavy paper that it allows. Not good for heavyweight papers. You need to have a straight-through paper path for this weight of paper. Does your printer have a manual feed slot that is straight through? Might have a different weight capacity for that method.
Heavy paper might not break you printer, but it could result in constant paper jams (particularly on a paper path that bends), or ink smears/spills.
I would check the printer first, then stay within the limits its specs show.
Roy
Login to Like
this post
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
If your printer is an older one, you have to consider that you'll be printing many pages. If the printer is on its "last legs", you may want to consider getting a new one.
Make sure that whatever paper you select that it is acid-free.
Scott International album pages are printed on 24 lb paper. That is 90 gsm. That is what I use when I print pages. I print on both sides of the sheets.
I tried thicker paper (67 lb / 146.9 gsm), but the lack of flexibility did not work well in my album binders. If you use regular three-ring binders, thicker paper should work good, if you wanted to use that. My son uses 67 lb paper without any problem. I think if you go much thicker than that, you'll really start to encounter the problems that Roy was referring to. Also, some members here have stated in the past that thicker paper tends to wear out the printers quicker.
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09:21:48am
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
As Roy mentioned, stiff paper can be a problem with printers that bend the paper with printing - aside from jams, smearing can be an issue.
Also the paper in the ad is laser paper which can work in an inkjet but the inkjet ink may not be absorbed into the paper resulting in poor drying or smearing.
Generally, the other way around, one should never use inkjet paper in a laser as laser paper is coated to use with the heat generated by the powder ink fuser.
There is also a difference in the title and picture of the paper in the ad.
You don't necessarily need thicker paper as Michael mentioned but the right kind.
Personally, I like to get paper from a well known manufacturer - what is "Color Copy"
If you have a printing house locally, perhaps they can give you some samples to try.
Edited: - as noted thick paper may wear out the printer faster particularly if the printer does not have a software adjustment that allows the print heads to adjust for the thickness.
Login to Like
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re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
At first, I didn't really like the idea of thinner paper - 24 lb/90gsm - but now that you say it..
I found packets of 500 sheets HP Copy paper, which is adverted as acid-free, but 80gsm. Will that difference of 10 grams have major consequences?
Do you know any brands of acid-free paper that are recognizable and more likely to be for sale in Bulgaria?
I'd love to hear your opinions on the pros and cons of both thick and thinner paper.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. I appreciate it very much.
EDIT: I'm going to use the Fabriano brand paper. It's acid-free with alkaline reserve to ensure durability. Now I only need to decide, with help from you, I hope, what weight to buy.
Login to Like
this post
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Hi Bulgaria;
I've always liked Bulgarian stamps and have the Scott's Specialty album for Eastern Europe. I
particularly enjoy the topicals from the 60s & 70s.
Getting back on topic...some places also sell 30lb. stock which might be a good compromise,
plus some 24 lb. paper may have a problem with 'show thru' where the images on one side can
be seen on the reverse. Michael doesn't have that problem apparently but a different brand of
paper may give very different results. It probably has to do more with the absorption of the
paper. If the absorption is greater, then the ink goes deeper into the paper, and could show
thru on the reverse side.
Just a thought....
TuskenRaider
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Login to Like.
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
A few thoughts:
Heavy paper is thick paper, meaning that you'll get fewer pages into an given binder.
Heavy paper is more expensive than lighter-weight paper.
With a large collection mounted on heavy paper, which your Bulgaria collection will likely become, you'll need many binders and a lot of storage space. The expense will be quite high. You might well end up spending more on paper and binders than stamps.
As Roy said, heavy paper needs a straight-through printing path. I printed my first philatelic exhibit on heavy archival stock, probably 50lb. I was using a laser printer with a curved print path; the paper was so badly curled that it was almost impossible to mount in the exhibit frames. It also destroyed the printer's drum.
Finally, I would advise against double-sided printing for stamp albums, unless you use sheet protecters for each sheet. Otherwise, the mounted stamps and/or mounts will inevitably be damaged the the stamps/mounts on the opposite sheets. In addition, if you have to reprint a page because of errors or have to redesign it, you'll have to reprint the other side of it as well.
They say that Alzheimers can be prevented by keeping your brain active. Is there a better way of maintaining that activity than collecting stamps?!
Good luck to you,
Bob
P.S. When I joined the BC Philatelic Society in 2002, another new and very active member was a young Romanian-Canadian high-school student. Can't recall his name offhand, and he's no longer a member. Last I knew he was working for a mining company in Chile.
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re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
I would not use the 80gsm weight paper. It is too thin. I know we're not talking much difference here, but the 80gsm is standard paper. I experimented with it just to see how I liked it versus the 90gsm and the thicker paper. I was not satisfied with the 80gsm paper.
I haven't had any problems with double-sided printing using the 90gsm paper. With 80gsm, double-sided printing won't look very good.
I print from commercially prepared page files (Steiner pages). However, if I were going to make my own pages, I agree with Bob that double-sided printing could be problematic, and I wouldn't do it either.
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re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
I'm going to buy 120gsm Fabriano paper. I hope it turns out well. Will post some pictures when it's ready.
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re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Another comment: Most paper these days is acid-free, which doesn't mean "archival," but does mean that it's not going to turn yellow within a few years, or damage stamps that are mounted on it. If you don't want to take a chance, use stamp mounts, which keep the stamps separated from the paper.
Bob
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re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Mounts aren't convenient for me since they cost more than the stamps I buy.
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re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
"Mounts aren't convenient for me since they cost more than the stamps I buy. "
You certainly are not alone in that regard.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
17 Aug 2015
08:20:42am
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
" ... You certainly are not alone in that regard. ..."
That brought up a chuckle. I don't know how many times over the years I patiently stripped an album where the mounts had cost much more that the stamps they contained.
BTW some dealers will discount a offer based on how much work they will have to preform to get the stamps unmounted. Some collectors forget that hinges were devised, or at least became popular, because they afforded an easy way to check the back of the stamps.
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 300 categories
17 Aug 2015
09:15:18am
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Perfect example: I won't even consider buying a collection in "Crystal Mounts" (clear cellophane tubes with an adhesive strip on top). The stamps are invariably wrinkled due to the shrinkage of an already too-tight mount and the stamps frequently have "glazed gum" in the upper corners from the moisture of licking the adhesive migrating inside the corners.
Worst mounting product ever invented. (On par with the 19th century habit of using sheet selvage as hinges).
Roy
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
17 Aug 2015
10:01:01am
re: A question about arranging stamps in a stockbook
Crystal Mounts have a nasty habit of "over" reacting to humidity causing them to "glaze" the gum. Also, if items are stored flat, the pressure applied to the mounts will likewise cause "glazing." Trust me here - I learned from experience.
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