Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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12:00:09pm
Are your stamps postally used or mint ?
You would have to tell us that before a valid answer can be made.
Most people who spen the money to collect mint stamps choose some kind of mounts.
If you are interested in used stamps as I am, hinges work just fine, cost a lot less and are very easy to use..
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Can make one valid answer regarding which mounts not to buy:
Crystal Mounts are a clear tube-style mount that come in different sizes. There also are other similar mounts under different brand names. You slide the stamp into the tube, and then cut the tube to the proper size for the stamp. To attach to an album page, you pull off the protective backing from the glue strip and place the mount on the page. These tend to collect moisture, which over time will glaze the gum on unused stamps, and cause toning problems on the paper of all stamps.
The American Philatelic Society sells mounts for its members to use when preparing books to sell stamps through the society. The mounts are like a clear pocket with an adhesive strip along the top. The mounts are easy to use, but are not intended to be used in a collection. The adhesive, particularly on older supplies, is not acid neutral and can damage the album and/or stamp over time. The mounts also can be very difficult to remove from a page in case you ever want to remount an album page. Most likely removal of the mount will damage the page. These are offered sometimes for sale to non-APS members on web sites. Good for approval sales books, but not necessarily for stamp albums.
Marlate Mounts are an old-mounting system where you cut the mount to the shape of the stamp, and then cover it with a clear plastic material. The plastic attaches to the black back of the mount on all sides. It is very difficult to remove stamps from these mounts without causing some sort of damage to the stamp. Usually the use of a hobby knife is necessary, and there is a risk of cutting the stamp while trying to cut open the mount. Even though this mount was around in the 1950s and 1960s, I mentioned it, because there are supplies of these mounts that show up now and then for sale on web sites.
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For me, all my stamps get put into a mount and then into an album. It doesn't matter if they are used, unused or mint. The type of mount I use are black back (they also come in clear) with a clear front. The front actually protects stamps against ultraviolet light. These mounts come in pre-cut or long strips. Stamps are inserted from the back, which is slit in the middle. The stamp sets quite nicely protected in the mount. There are two primary brand names for these: Showguard and Prinz. Scott Mounts are made by Prinz. There is a slight different between the two where Showguard are a little more rigid than Prinz.
There is a similar type mount under Hawid name (Showguard makes them), and Prinz makes them as well. They are open on the sides and top. Some people prefer these. I don't as stamps don't fit snuggly in and can fall out of the mount.
Oh yes, NEVER use tape to close off the open sides of a mount. The adhesive in the tape is acidic and will ruin the stamp and album page.
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When I first began collecting I would use mounts for mint stamps and hinges for used ones. The presentation looked terrible but it was all I could afford.
Now I use black Showgard mounts for both mint and used stamps.
I've been buying "seconds" in strips of various sizes and I cut them to size using a Showgard Excal guillotine (I measure the width of the album space, cut the mount to size, and then insert the stamp).
Steve
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Picking up where Michael78651 left off concerning Crystal Mounts and Scotch tape...
I collect several of the British Omnibus issues. Today, I saw that a gentleman in England has offered up on eBay a complete White Ace album of the 1937 KGVI Coronation issues all mint never hinged! I though what a great deal. So, I open up the listing to look further, and behold:
All of the stamps were mounted in the infamous Crystal Mounts... And, to insure that the stamps would not slip out, a small piece of scotch tape was applied to the left side of each mount, additionally securing the mount to the page. One could easily see how the stamp had slid into the tape.
The listing describes the collection as being "well cared for". But, sadly, I had to pass on this amazing deal.
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I'm sure many stamps have been ruined using the Crystal Mounts. The Hawid, Showgards or Scott mounts are the only ones I use. I do prefer the Showgards since there are seconds available at such reasonable prices and I've never found one that was defective.
Mike
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I recently purchased a collection which was mounted somewhere in the 1950's or 1960's using professional mounts that look like acetate. Does anyone know if there were mounts on the market in that period that might have been harmful to the stamps themselves? I had planned to store some as-is, but I'm wondering if I should take them out of their mounts.
Ken
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Ken,
That is another question with a difficult answer, that relates with the way the albums have been stored over the last 50 or 60 years. As we know, albums should be stored standing up, never by laying them down, because of the pressure the weight causes by laying a stack of them down. I would take a sampling of the stamps in question and gently remove the protective cover to see how they have survived the test of time. If they look good, keep them as they are and transfer them to your new album. If they may have stuck down or in some other way damaged ascertain if it would be beneficial to remove the cover, or better off leaving them as they are since you may cause more damage by removing them from the cover.
Good luck with your project and WELCOME to SOR!
Mike
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Marlate mounts are not good for stamps, or for removing the stamps from those mounts. Got to be very careful.
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I would use any of the polystyrene mounts, but not PVC. I wouldn't touch Crystal Mounts with a ten foot pole.
This presentation might be useful: http://stamps.org/userfiles/file/pcpm/StampsPlastics.pdf
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In my more youthful naivete, I used Crystal Mounts (who knew? they were for stamps, right?). So all those US stamps (all right they were from the 40's to the 60's) ended up being postage. But I was so proud of my mounted stamps....
Roger 
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i bought a basketful of those things, on sale. I later gave them all away. See my comment on frugality in another thread to understand my pain
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09:49:00am
Did the same thing back in the 60s, Roger. And in Texas, believe me, the heat and humidity did a number on my stamps! 
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Reviving this thread with a new question:
What type of mounts do you prefer, those with top opening or center opening, and why?
I just received a package of goodies today, and in it are some mounts that I had added to my order of catalogs. I hadn't considered that there were (at least) 2 types of mounts. Those with top opening, and those with center opening. I had seen so many pictures of the ones with center opening (in mount tutorial videos, etc) that I didn't check what type I had ordered.
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I personally prefer the center-opening mounts. It's more difficult to get stamps in and out of them, but the stamps are more securely mounted. By the way (and as you probably already know), center mounts should be affixed to album pages using just a light lick across the top, not with top-and-bottom licks; the latter technique will make your stamps almost impossible to remove from their mounts later on. I made this mistake early in my collecting and wound up having to re-mount my stamps in a whole new album doing it the right way. 
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Initially I used center-opening mounts, but have recently switched to top-opening for certain albums. The biggest reason for using the former, for me, would be to limit exposure to the elements. However, I don't live in a climatically challenged area (e.g, high humidity) and I always use slip covers for albums, so one enclosure is probably enough to protect from dust. But, if I didn't use slip covers I would certainly want to ensure my mounted stamps were not exposed at the top, due to bad things falling into them over long periods of time, mainly dust.
If you've seen the damage exposure can do in poor environments, you know what I mean.
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I grew tired of hinges that didn't peel, mounts that curled, album supplements that cost more than the stamps etc. So I started using Hagnar and Vario sheets exclusively. I LOVE it! I collect a mint and used of each issue plus varieties, so this offers me the flexibility I need.
Everyone finds their own best way and no one way is right for everyone.
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Thanks for the feedback
"So I started using Hagnar and Vario sheets exclusively. "
Those Vario sheets look nice. I looked at some online shops, but I haven't really found a picture of how it looks - only drawings of the sheets. Are they double sided like regular stock book pages? With possibility to put stamps on both sides of the page? And is the pockets with top opening like regular stock book pages?
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I use the Vario sheets for larger items like souvenir sheets and covers. They do come double sided. I use Hagnar for the stamps - you can buy those either single or double sided. It is easier to move single stamps in and out of Hagnar sheets because you hold the flap down while you place the stamp. The stamps also seem to stay put better in Hagnar.
Another perk to using Hagnar and not an album - instead of looking at the empty spaces which seem to draw your eye when looking at an album, you only see the stamps you do have. It may seem weird, but I like that!
Clear vario sheets are GREAT when you want to see BOTH sides of the stamps. Perfins are a perfect example of when this is important. I have my Irish perfin collection on clear vario sheets with black interleaves. I also have a tiny collection of New Zealand that has advertising printed on the backs.
Does anyone else here in Stamporama use Hagnar sheets?
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Yes, I love those where you can hold the flap down and place the stamp inside. I don't like the ones where only the top is open and you have to slide the stamp in; at the edges, it gets very tricky to do so easily.
I keep most of my completed collections in stockbooks (e.g., omnibus issues) and use Scott Specialty binders for the bulk of my specialized collections (e.g., HK treaty ports). But by far the bulk of my collections are in Hagner or Prinz stock pages in binders.
Peter
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For my Hong Kong collection, I use Hagner leaves exclusively. I go one further though: instead of using ordinary two or four ring binders, I house mine in A4 artist's portfolios.
These are very robust spline 'binders' that have a zip all around the other 3 sides. There is an air gap where the zip terminates.
These binders have a sprung carry handle on the spline.
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I have been use crystal mount and perma guard mount and still on but only I can buy at ebay auction
I have no plm with crystal mount and perma guard mount so I see some people use large or medium size and not fold it so they put tape to not stamp fall out the mount oh wow that why I fold it line on top as size that what I am doing for long time without the plm!
older crystal mount that gum on the mount that come out that glue is old so be careful
newer crystal mount was not plm that was good
Perma guard mount are great
watch out the crystal mount made in germany and not hard tube that was soft tube that I not like it
I like gummed mount not peel and stick no way
if you not like crystal mounts so let me know so I can buy from you ok
stephanie
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I don't know if they changed the formula for manufacturing Crystal Mounts, but the old mounts for sure were are major problem for stamps. The older mounts collected humidity and caused foxing and other gum-related damage to the stamps. Crystal Mounts should be avoided, the older manufactured ones at least.
I have seen plenty of collections where the stamps were mounted in albums and pages using Crystal Mounts, so I have seen the toned gums, fixing of the paper, etc.. Also, as you mentioned, many collectors use tape to secure the stamps in the mounts. The tape simply ruins the stamps and the collection.
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I collect WW, so I use hinges for most items, but will use mounts for MNH stamps or stamps above a certain CV. I use clear Hawid (open on three sides) mounts because they mix well with hinged stamps. I like the clear mounts because they still allow you to see the border around the stamp (again similar to hinged stamps).
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"I like the clear mounts because they still allow you to see the border around the stamp (again similar to hinged stamps)."
Just to clarify (I just realized this!), black Hawid mounts, if trimmed close enough, will also allow you to see the border around the stamp using Steiner pages, which does look very attractive
The key, however, is to make sure and trim the mount straight, clear mounts are definitely more forgiving.
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04:45:59pm
So - I decided to work on my Canada collection - I have all the mounts ready and my stockbook is open, just ready to grab those mounts. I finish the QV pages and start to move on to the commemoratives of KE VII - grab my mount and ... wrong size. Ok, grab the other size I have ready - nope, wrong size! Oy!!!! So now I've put it on hold so that I can go and buy S26 and S27 to mount my KE VII section.
I've decided to give up the idea of fancy boxes, etc. I'm simply mounting in order according to Era. That way I can work on the commemoratives separately according to issue dates and then come back another time to do the definitives. I'm actually surprised that just a "blank" paper (I use a parchment colour stock card paper that looks fantastic!) with a fancy header and fancy border with clear mounts and stamps, looks quite nice actually.
I spent several months last year creating Canada pages based on Steiner and I never did print them because I just got discouraged - what if I have doubles, colour varieties, cancellations, pairs, strips, blocks ... etc., where do I put them? Ugh - so I finally just decided to go with this method and it looks good.
I'm going to do some of my other countries that way as well.
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I do not have access to my old Scott Minuteman album these days, but I do remember the mounts.
They were pre-sized for individual stamps/pairs/blocks. There was a thick black paper piece, with a self-adhesive back. There was a clear (acrylic?) plastic front piece, itself about 1/4" larger than the black piece.
The manufacturer had folded three sides of the clear plastic front piece, and the mount came with the thick black paper piece 'inserted'.
This left one edge open.
I would insert a stamp, leave the open edge as the top edge, remove the protective strip from the self-adhesive back, press down and ... done!
The alternative (and perhaps the expected usage) was to insert the stamp, remove the protective strip from the self-adhesive back, fold that last edge of the clear plastic front piece so as to fully enclose the stamp, press down and ... done!
Once upon a time, perhaps twenty years later, I opened the album to find individual mounts easily falling off of their respective pages. Closed it, and left it alone.
Q/ Does anyone remember the names of these mounts?
Q/ Did you close yours, or leave the last edge open?
Q/ Have you since hinge'd the mounts to their pages?
Q/ Have you since cursed violently, and re-mounted with another product?
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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Steiner pages do have space for many minor varieties. I couldn't tell you about Canada, however, to see if many minors are on the pages. However, when I have minors that Steiner doesn't have space for, I create a blank page using the Steiner blank pages. I put the information at the top of the page, print it out and then add the stamps.
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I hear you Kelly. I like to add interesting things to my collection. I want to be able to edit my pages to allow me to add pairs, blocks, plate singles or covers.. whatever has tickled my fancy for that stamp. I have always been that way. I look in my old Minuteman USA album from 1972 and I see I have Christmas seals in the white space near that year's commemorative stamps.
I used to use CAD programs, but don't have access to any right now. I do use Microsoft PowerPoint and Publisher, and I might be tempted to design an album on Publisher. I'd save the pages so I could go back and modify the collection as I wish.
Back in the 1970s I used to hand draw and type my pages. I came across an album I did for Bicentennial stamps back then, I'll have to scan a few pages to show the board. Today we have all these computer tools so it should be much easier with more professional results.
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11:49:38am
Could someone help me ? What are the best mounts to buy? also is it better to use stamp hinge? also what sizes do I buy? Thanks for any info
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13 Dec 2012
12:00:09pm
re: Stamp Mounts
Are your stamps postally used or mint ?
You would have to tell us that before a valid answer can be made.
Most people who spen the money to collect mint stamps choose some kind of mounts.
If you are interested in used stamps as I am, hinges work just fine, cost a lot less and are very easy to use..
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re: Stamp Mounts
Can make one valid answer regarding which mounts not to buy:
Crystal Mounts are a clear tube-style mount that come in different sizes. There also are other similar mounts under different brand names. You slide the stamp into the tube, and then cut the tube to the proper size for the stamp. To attach to an album page, you pull off the protective backing from the glue strip and place the mount on the page. These tend to collect moisture, which over time will glaze the gum on unused stamps, and cause toning problems on the paper of all stamps.
The American Philatelic Society sells mounts for its members to use when preparing books to sell stamps through the society. The mounts are like a clear pocket with an adhesive strip along the top. The mounts are easy to use, but are not intended to be used in a collection. The adhesive, particularly on older supplies, is not acid neutral and can damage the album and/or stamp over time. The mounts also can be very difficult to remove from a page in case you ever want to remount an album page. Most likely removal of the mount will damage the page. These are offered sometimes for sale to non-APS members on web sites. Good for approval sales books, but not necessarily for stamp albums.
Marlate Mounts are an old-mounting system where you cut the mount to the shape of the stamp, and then cover it with a clear plastic material. The plastic attaches to the black back of the mount on all sides. It is very difficult to remove stamps from these mounts without causing some sort of damage to the stamp. Usually the use of a hobby knife is necessary, and there is a risk of cutting the stamp while trying to cut open the mount. Even though this mount was around in the 1950s and 1960s, I mentioned it, because there are supplies of these mounts that show up now and then for sale on web sites.
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re: Stamp Mounts
For me, all my stamps get put into a mount and then into an album. It doesn't matter if they are used, unused or mint. The type of mount I use are black back (they also come in clear) with a clear front. The front actually protects stamps against ultraviolet light. These mounts come in pre-cut or long strips. Stamps are inserted from the back, which is slit in the middle. The stamp sets quite nicely protected in the mount. There are two primary brand names for these: Showguard and Prinz. Scott Mounts are made by Prinz. There is a slight different between the two where Showguard are a little more rigid than Prinz.
There is a similar type mount under Hawid name (Showguard makes them), and Prinz makes them as well. They are open on the sides and top. Some people prefer these. I don't as stamps don't fit snuggly in and can fall out of the mount.
Oh yes, NEVER use tape to close off the open sides of a mount. The adhesive in the tape is acidic and will ruin the stamp and album page.
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re: Stamp Mounts
When I first began collecting I would use mounts for mint stamps and hinges for used ones. The presentation looked terrible but it was all I could afford.
Now I use black Showgard mounts for both mint and used stamps.
I've been buying "seconds" in strips of various sizes and I cut them to size using a Showgard Excal guillotine (I measure the width of the album space, cut the mount to size, and then insert the stamp).
Steve
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re: Stamp Mounts
Picking up where Michael78651 left off concerning Crystal Mounts and Scotch tape...
I collect several of the British Omnibus issues. Today, I saw that a gentleman in England has offered up on eBay a complete White Ace album of the 1937 KGVI Coronation issues all mint never hinged! I though what a great deal. So, I open up the listing to look further, and behold:
All of the stamps were mounted in the infamous Crystal Mounts... And, to insure that the stamps would not slip out, a small piece of scotch tape was applied to the left side of each mount, additionally securing the mount to the page. One could easily see how the stamp had slid into the tape.
The listing describes the collection as being "well cared for". But, sadly, I had to pass on this amazing deal.
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re: Stamp Mounts
I'm sure many stamps have been ruined using the Crystal Mounts. The Hawid, Showgards or Scott mounts are the only ones I use. I do prefer the Showgards since there are seconds available at such reasonable prices and I've never found one that was defective.
Mike
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11:16:18pm
re: Stamp Mounts
I recently purchased a collection which was mounted somewhere in the 1950's or 1960's using professional mounts that look like acetate. Does anyone know if there were mounts on the market in that period that might have been harmful to the stamps themselves? I had planned to store some as-is, but I'm wondering if I should take them out of their mounts.
Ken
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re: Stamp Mounts
Ken,
That is another question with a difficult answer, that relates with the way the albums have been stored over the last 50 or 60 years. As we know, albums should be stored standing up, never by laying them down, because of the pressure the weight causes by laying a stack of them down. I would take a sampling of the stamps in question and gently remove the protective cover to see how they have survived the test of time. If they look good, keep them as they are and transfer them to your new album. If they may have stuck down or in some other way damaged ascertain if it would be beneficial to remove the cover, or better off leaving them as they are since you may cause more damage by removing them from the cover.
Good luck with your project and WELCOME to SOR!
Mike
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re: Stamp Mounts
Marlate mounts are not good for stamps, or for removing the stamps from those mounts. Got to be very careful.
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re: Stamp Mounts
I would use any of the polystyrene mounts, but not PVC. I wouldn't touch Crystal Mounts with a ten foot pole.
This presentation might be useful: http://stamps.org/userfiles/file/pcpm/StampsPlastics.pdf
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re: Stamp Mounts
In my more youthful naivete, I used Crystal Mounts (who knew? they were for stamps, right?). So all those US stamps (all right they were from the 40's to the 60's) ended up being postage. But I was so proud of my mounted stamps....
Roger
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re: Stamp Mounts
i bought a basketful of those things, on sale. I later gave them all away. See my comment on frugality in another thread to understand my pain
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
09 May 2014
09:49:00am
re: Stamp Mounts
Did the same thing back in the 60s, Roger. And in Texas, believe me, the heat and humidity did a number on my stamps!
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re: Stamp Mounts
Reviving this thread with a new question:
What type of mounts do you prefer, those with top opening or center opening, and why?
I just received a package of goodies today, and in it are some mounts that I had added to my order of catalogs. I hadn't considered that there were (at least) 2 types of mounts. Those with top opening, and those with center opening. I had seen so many pictures of the ones with center opening (in mount tutorial videos, etc) that I didn't check what type I had ordered.
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re: Stamp Mounts
I personally prefer the center-opening mounts. It's more difficult to get stamps in and out of them, but the stamps are more securely mounted. By the way (and as you probably already know), center mounts should be affixed to album pages using just a light lick across the top, not with top-and-bottom licks; the latter technique will make your stamps almost impossible to remove from their mounts later on. I made this mistake early in my collecting and wound up having to re-mount my stamps in a whole new album doing it the right way.
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re: Stamp Mounts
Initially I used center-opening mounts, but have recently switched to top-opening for certain albums. The biggest reason for using the former, for me, would be to limit exposure to the elements. However, I don't live in a climatically challenged area (e.g, high humidity) and I always use slip covers for albums, so one enclosure is probably enough to protect from dust. But, if I didn't use slip covers I would certainly want to ensure my mounted stamps were not exposed at the top, due to bad things falling into them over long periods of time, mainly dust.
If you've seen the damage exposure can do in poor environments, you know what I mean.
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re: Stamp Mounts
I grew tired of hinges that didn't peel, mounts that curled, album supplements that cost more than the stamps etc. So I started using Hagnar and Vario sheets exclusively. I LOVE it! I collect a mint and used of each issue plus varieties, so this offers me the flexibility I need.
Everyone finds their own best way and no one way is right for everyone.
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re: Stamp Mounts
Thanks for the feedback
"So I started using Hagnar and Vario sheets exclusively. "
Those Vario sheets look nice. I looked at some online shops, but I haven't really found a picture of how it looks - only drawings of the sheets. Are they double sided like regular stock book pages? With possibility to put stamps on both sides of the page? And is the pockets with top opening like regular stock book pages?
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re: Stamp Mounts
I use the Vario sheets for larger items like souvenir sheets and covers. They do come double sided. I use Hagnar for the stamps - you can buy those either single or double sided. It is easier to move single stamps in and out of Hagnar sheets because you hold the flap down while you place the stamp. The stamps also seem to stay put better in Hagnar.
Another perk to using Hagnar and not an album - instead of looking at the empty spaces which seem to draw your eye when looking at an album, you only see the stamps you do have. It may seem weird, but I like that!
Clear vario sheets are GREAT when you want to see BOTH sides of the stamps. Perfins are a perfect example of when this is important. I have my Irish perfin collection on clear vario sheets with black interleaves. I also have a tiny collection of New Zealand that has advertising printed on the backs.
Does anyone else here in Stamporama use Hagnar sheets?
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10:12:04am
re: Stamp Mounts
Yes, I love those where you can hold the flap down and place the stamp inside. I don't like the ones where only the top is open and you have to slide the stamp in; at the edges, it gets very tricky to do so easily.
I keep most of my completed collections in stockbooks (e.g., omnibus issues) and use Scott Specialty binders for the bulk of my specialized collections (e.g., HK treaty ports). But by far the bulk of my collections are in Hagner or Prinz stock pages in binders.
Peter
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re: Stamp Mounts
For my Hong Kong collection, I use Hagner leaves exclusively. I go one further though: instead of using ordinary two or four ring binders, I house mine in A4 artist's portfolios.
These are very robust spline 'binders' that have a zip all around the other 3 sides. There is an air gap where the zip terminates.
These binders have a sprung carry handle on the spline.
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02:08:50pm
re: Stamp Mounts
I have been use crystal mount and perma guard mount and still on but only I can buy at ebay auction
I have no plm with crystal mount and perma guard mount so I see some people use large or medium size and not fold it so they put tape to not stamp fall out the mount oh wow that why I fold it line on top as size that what I am doing for long time without the plm!
older crystal mount that gum on the mount that come out that glue is old so be careful
newer crystal mount was not plm that was good
Perma guard mount are great
watch out the crystal mount made in germany and not hard tube that was soft tube that I not like it
I like gummed mount not peel and stick no way
if you not like crystal mounts so let me know so I can buy from you ok
stephanie
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re: Stamp Mounts
I don't know if they changed the formula for manufacturing Crystal Mounts, but the old mounts for sure were are major problem for stamps. The older mounts collected humidity and caused foxing and other gum-related damage to the stamps. Crystal Mounts should be avoided, the older manufactured ones at least.
I have seen plenty of collections where the stamps were mounted in albums and pages using Crystal Mounts, so I have seen the toned gums, fixing of the paper, etc.. Also, as you mentioned, many collectors use tape to secure the stamps in the mounts. The tape simply ruins the stamps and the collection.
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re: Stamp Mounts
I collect WW, so I use hinges for most items, but will use mounts for MNH stamps or stamps above a certain CV. I use clear Hawid (open on three sides) mounts because they mix well with hinged stamps. I like the clear mounts because they still allow you to see the border around the stamp (again similar to hinged stamps).
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re: Stamp Mounts
"I like the clear mounts because they still allow you to see the border around the stamp (again similar to hinged stamps)."
Just to clarify (I just realized this!), black Hawid mounts, if trimmed close enough, will also allow you to see the border around the stamp using Steiner pages, which does look very attractive
The key, however, is to make sure and trim the mount straight, clear mounts are definitely more forgiving.
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05 Apr 2016
04:45:59pm
re: Stamp Mounts
So - I decided to work on my Canada collection - I have all the mounts ready and my stockbook is open, just ready to grab those mounts. I finish the QV pages and start to move on to the commemoratives of KE VII - grab my mount and ... wrong size. Ok, grab the other size I have ready - nope, wrong size! Oy!!!! So now I've put it on hold so that I can go and buy S26 and S27 to mount my KE VII section.
I've decided to give up the idea of fancy boxes, etc. I'm simply mounting in order according to Era. That way I can work on the commemoratives separately according to issue dates and then come back another time to do the definitives. I'm actually surprised that just a "blank" paper (I use a parchment colour stock card paper that looks fantastic!) with a fancy header and fancy border with clear mounts and stamps, looks quite nice actually.
I spent several months last year creating Canada pages based on Steiner and I never did print them because I just got discouraged - what if I have doubles, colour varieties, cancellations, pairs, strips, blocks ... etc., where do I put them? Ugh - so I finally just decided to go with this method and it looks good.
I'm going to do some of my other countries that way as well.
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re: Stamp Mounts
I do not have access to my old Scott Minuteman album these days, but I do remember the mounts.
They were pre-sized for individual stamps/pairs/blocks. There was a thick black paper piece, with a self-adhesive back. There was a clear (acrylic?) plastic front piece, itself about 1/4" larger than the black piece.
The manufacturer had folded three sides of the clear plastic front piece, and the mount came with the thick black paper piece 'inserted'.
This left one edge open.
I would insert a stamp, leave the open edge as the top edge, remove the protective strip from the self-adhesive back, press down and ... done!
The alternative (and perhaps the expected usage) was to insert the stamp, remove the protective strip from the self-adhesive back, fold that last edge of the clear plastic front piece so as to fully enclose the stamp, press down and ... done!
Once upon a time, perhaps twenty years later, I opened the album to find individual mounts easily falling off of their respective pages. Closed it, and left it alone.
Q/ Does anyone remember the names of these mounts?
Q/ Did you close yours, or leave the last edge open?
Q/ Have you since hinge'd the mounts to their pages?
Q/ Have you since cursed violently, and re-mounted with another product?
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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re: Stamp Mounts
Steiner pages do have space for many minor varieties. I couldn't tell you about Canada, however, to see if many minors are on the pages. However, when I have minors that Steiner doesn't have space for, I create a blank page using the Steiner blank pages. I put the information at the top of the page, print it out and then add the stamps.
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re: Stamp Mounts
I hear you Kelly. I like to add interesting things to my collection. I want to be able to edit my pages to allow me to add pairs, blocks, plate singles or covers.. whatever has tickled my fancy for that stamp. I have always been that way. I look in my old Minuteman USA album from 1972 and I see I have Christmas seals in the white space near that year's commemorative stamps.
I used to use CAD programs, but don't have access to any right now. I do use Microsoft PowerPoint and Publisher, and I might be tempted to design an album on Publisher. I'd save the pages so I could go back and modify the collection as I wish.
Back in the 1970s I used to hand draw and type my pages. I came across an album I did for Bicentennial stamps back then, I'll have to scan a few pages to show the board. Today we have all these computer tools so it should be much easier with more professional results.
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