I use hinges to mount my mounts...
Chris
One thing I regularly find in stamp albums and APS sales books where the split back mounts are used is where the collector wet both the top and the bottom portion of the mount. The problem with this is that the moisture goes will go between the two portions of the mount and get to the stamp. I find many unused stamps that have a "wet line" across the middle of the back of the stamp, thus ruining the gum. Only wet the top portion of the mount. On larger stamp/sheets, wet the bottom portion of the mount to keep the mount from flipping up and damaging the stamp. However, only wet a small section of the mount towards the bottom of the mount.
Michael, for regular stamp issues, why moisten the top flap of the mount and not the bottom? I would think that would be more secure for the stamp.
If both flaps are attached to the page, then two things happen:
- you can't easily remove the stamp for inspection
- you risk moisture flowing between the two flaps and getting onto the stamp
The mount will stay securely on the page by just attaching the top flap to the page. While I have seen it in several collections, one does not normally apply hinges on each edge of a stamp before attaching it to an album page. (Talking about regularly-sized stamps.)
For some reason i instinctively started using mounts by moistening only the top part of the mount. Since I also use Steiner pages, I just put them in page protectors so even the large mounts don't flop around at all.
One reason I dislike split back mounts. They usually stick out from the page and look wrong. I admit to using a very small amount of moisture on the bottom flap to secure them- not enough to spread to the crack however. This is not such an issue on larger sized stamps or sheets in these mounts. In some cases I have taken to enclosure of the pages in protectors just to hold those flaps down. One other idea- use clear mounts and a size a bit larger than you need and you will notice they stay flatter.
I live in an area with one stamp shop and he only carries Scott split backs. Hawid type mounts are almost unknown in many sectors of the US market.
"If both flaps are attached to the page, then two things happen:"
I too moisten just the bottom flap. Have always been doing it that way. It is just easier for me to remove/replace the stamp from the top. I'm glad to see there is at least one other collector doing it that way!
Very interesting comments--I appreciate them!
Back to remounting.
Peter, it is quite obvious from my posts that I can't read right after I get up in the morning.
Sounds like attaching the bottom or the top is a matter of preference. I've always done the top.
Since I have the time right now between jobs (anyone looking for a CPA in Orlando?),I decided to both update the catalogue values in my collection (yes, FINALLY, Michael#####), AND to do a thorough review of the stamps in each album.
I have received an education, to say the least.
I am in the middle of reviewing DENMARK, and a few issues have cropped up:
1) I am about 1/3 through, and I am finding that many of my used stamps are "bowing (large o) out" from too much pressure/moisture when the hinge was originally applied.
I have pulled these out of the collection and am soaking them for re-hinging.
LESSON: Use as little moisture and pressure when hinging. I also am hinging closer to the middle of the stamp as opposed to the top.
2) Some of the mounts I had moistened both the bottom and the top, thinking they had to be held down inside the mount. Trouble is, I can't get them OUT of the mount without destroying the mount (and possibly the stamp with it).
I am now in the process of remounting these stamps CORRECTLY.
LESSON: Only hinge the top of the mount, with the possible exception with sheets when they start "flopping around" when flipping pages (flip-flop--lol ) Then, only moisten as small a space as possible to hold the mount down. Also, NEVER use tape to secure the mount.
3) Another issue I found with mounts is that I was using either the wrong size (too big --ex. 1970s Danish vertical stamps should NOT be mounted in a 25x40 mount) or using a horizontal mount (ex. using a 41x31 horizontal mount for a vertical stamp). The same is even more applicable for souvenir sheets.
LESSON: If you are going to invest in your stamps, invest in your mounts as well. (There are two vendors I use that if you buy $25 or more at a time, you get free shipping--PM me for information if interested.) Also consider using strips instead of pre-sized mounts, and buy a cutter--I got a Fiskars at Office Depot).
All this is said to help others who are out there, especially those starting out. I have been collecting now over 40 years, and I am still making mistakes. I only wish I had a forum like Stamporama when I was starting out.
BOB in very hot and stormy ORLANDO (No, I do NOT live near Mickey!!!)
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
I use hinges to mount my mounts...
Chris
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
One thing I regularly find in stamp albums and APS sales books where the split back mounts are used is where the collector wet both the top and the bottom portion of the mount. The problem with this is that the moisture goes will go between the two portions of the mount and get to the stamp. I find many unused stamps that have a "wet line" across the middle of the back of the stamp, thus ruining the gum. Only wet the top portion of the mount. On larger stamp/sheets, wet the bottom portion of the mount to keep the mount from flipping up and damaging the stamp. However, only wet a small section of the mount towards the bottom of the mount.
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
Michael, for regular stamp issues, why moisten the top flap of the mount and not the bottom? I would think that would be more secure for the stamp.
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
If both flaps are attached to the page, then two things happen:
- you can't easily remove the stamp for inspection
- you risk moisture flowing between the two flaps and getting onto the stamp
The mount will stay securely on the page by just attaching the top flap to the page. While I have seen it in several collections, one does not normally apply hinges on each edge of a stamp before attaching it to an album page. (Talking about regularly-sized stamps.)
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
For some reason i instinctively started using mounts by moistening only the top part of the mount. Since I also use Steiner pages, I just put them in page protectors so even the large mounts don't flop around at all.
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
One reason I dislike split back mounts. They usually stick out from the page and look wrong. I admit to using a very small amount of moisture on the bottom flap to secure them- not enough to spread to the crack however. This is not such an issue on larger sized stamps or sheets in these mounts. In some cases I have taken to enclosure of the pages in protectors just to hold those flaps down. One other idea- use clear mounts and a size a bit larger than you need and you will notice they stay flatter.
I live in an area with one stamp shop and he only carries Scott split backs. Hawid type mounts are almost unknown in many sectors of the US market.
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
"If both flaps are attached to the page, then two things happen:"
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
I too moisten just the bottom flap. Have always been doing it that way. It is just easier for me to remove/replace the stamp from the top. I'm glad to see there is at least one other collector doing it that way!
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
Very interesting comments--I appreciate them!
Back to remounting.
re: Hinging and Mounting - Learn from my mistakes!
Peter, it is quite obvious from my posts that I can't read right after I get up in the morning.
Sounds like attaching the bottom or the top is a matter of preference. I've always done the top.